Drive flange FIPG'd to hub

[LandLocked93]

What is the best (easiest/least damaging) way to separate them? Have a wheel wobble (front axle) and need to check the hub nutz. This is a PO action, btw. And yes, I know it points to more serious issues lurking within for this to have been done, but we'll get into that once I can get the dam flange off.

Naturally the 'gap' between them is about .5mm. My go to would be to hammer a thin metal piece into the gap, cutting the gasket and eventually separating them. But that's a lot of repeated impact on the far edge of a hub bearing.

Could torch it, gingerly, to heat up the gasket in an effort to soften or weaken the bond to speed up the hammering and separating?

Could get another axle and go from there? Last resort of course. But if I'm looking at replacing alot of parts as a result of damage from just getting the flange off...? Or frankly the use of fipg on this flippin' flange means I'm looking at a grooved inner axle at least(edit: reference black, runny diff jiz), plus prob birfs on out to the hub anyway. Starting with another axle might be the best bet.

Whatchyall thernk?

 

[Pin_Head]

FPIG is pretty easy to cut. Use a utility knife and see what happens.

 

[Rwhat]

Spray a little brake cleaner. When you install the correct paper gasket, wipe it with a light coating of grease. You will be able to reuse it in the future if you take it apart.

 

[LandLocked93]

FPIG is pretty easy to cut. Use a utility knife and see what happens.

Hmmmm ok. Another arrow in the quiver.

 

[LandLocked93]

Spray a little brake cleaner. When you install the correct paper gasket, wipe it with a light coating of grease. You will be able to reuse it in the future if you take it apart.

Right. Have the paper gasket in hand. Didn't realize the PO hadn't used one.

 

[-Spike-]

The hubs take a lot of abuse from the normal method for loosening the cone washers, doubt you would hurt anything by beating on them.

 

[BILT4ME]

I use "The Right Stuff" black sealer when i do my flanges. It is a brand of FIPG.

I remove the nuts and come washers, the use a soft faced hammer and tap LIGHTLY around the edges until I see it start to move, then I pull it loose by hand.

I started doing this because I had the front flanges off so many times messing with wheel bearing torque until I found the sweet spot for mine. I also eventually switched to the Trail Gear nuts. Not necessarily better, just different. I needed different because the PO crashed the truck more than once and never did maintenance.

 

[greentruck]

An old knife blade tapped into the FIPG should force it apart enough to get things loose.