Front hub is stuck to knuckle. trying to replace hub assembly because of bad bearings. can not remove hub assy. how do you get drive shaft out of the way? 2003 saturn vue v6 awd.

Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper, caliper anchor, rotor and ABS wheel speed sensor.
4. Remove the cotter pin, nut retainer and axle hub nut.
5. Remove the hub/bearing mounting bolts from the back of the steering knuckle. Remove hub/bearing from the steering knuckle and off the axle shaft.

Installation

1. Install the hub/bearing to the knuckle.
2. Install the hub/bearing-to-knuckle bolts and tighten to specification.
3. Install the hub washer and nut. Tighten the hub nut to specification. Install the nut retainer and a new cotter pin.
4. Install the brake rotor, caliper anchor, caliper and ABS wheel speed sensor.
5. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
6. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Yes. the whole axle assembly has to come apart. This is the way it is with front wheel drive. The bearing assembly simply bolts to the steering knuckle on your vehicle. This at least makes it do-able (it can be done without a press). However, you will have to press (or knock) the hub assembly out of the bearing. This can be done with a hub puller adapter and a large slide hammer. Pull the hub out of the bearing before removing the steering knuckle. It makes life a whole lot easier. Then remove the steering knuckle so you can remove the bolts securing the bearing assembly. Then you will have to beat the bearing assembly out of the steering knuckle. (They can get pretty stuck!)

Sometimes corrosion with keep axle from releasing from the hub.Try using some penetrating iol such as WD40 or PBblaster. You may need to aquire a threaded axle remover from your local parts store.

you will need a big socket (20 or 21 mm) and 1/2 inch drive to remove axle nut and torque wrench to reinstall. The book DOES call for a special tool to get the hub off the axle, but I have never used one before.

Removal & Installation

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel.
3. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
4. Remove the brake caliper and wire aside.
5. Remove the brake rotor.
6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor.
7. Remove the wheel speed sensor connector from the bracket by depressing the locking tabs.
8. Remove the 3 hub and bearing assembly bolts.
9. Install Wheel Hub Removal tool J-42129 to the hub and bearing assembly in order to remove the hub and bearing assembly from the wheel drive shaft.
10. Remove the hub and bearing assembly from the steering knuckle.

To install:

1. Install the hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle.
2. Install the 3 hub and bearing assembly bolts and tighten to 85 ft. lbs. (115 Nm).
3. Install the wheel speed sensor connector into the bracket until the locking tabs click into place.
4. Connect the electrical connector to the wheel speed sensor.
5. Install the axle nut to the wheel drive shaft and hand tighten.
6. Install the brake rotor.
7. Use a screw driver or similar tool to stop the rotation of the brake rotor.
8. Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 159 ft. lbs. (215 Nm).
9. Install the brake caliper.
10. Install the tire and wheel.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely. Place jackstands under the frame, then lower the vehicle slightly to allow the control arms to hang free.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Insert a drift punch into the caliper and rotor vanes to prevent the rotor from turning, then remove the hub/drive axle nut. Clean the threads of the nut.
   1. Unfasten the caliper mounting bolts, then remove and support the caliper aside with a suitable piece of wire.
   2. Remove the rotor by sliding it from the hub.
   3. If equipped with ABS, detach the front wheel speed sensor connector and unclip it from the dust shield.
   
   The hub and bearing are replaced only as an assembly.
   For 1987-92 vehicles, perform the following:
4. Using a suitable front hub spindle removal tool, separate the hub from the halfshaft.
5. Remove the hub and bearing retaining bolts, shield, hub and bearing assembly and the O-ring.
6. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle, using the proper tool.
7. Remove the halfshaft assembly and tap the seal from the steering knuckle. Remove the steering knuckle from the hub.
8. For 1993-99 vehicles, perform the following:
   1. Unfasten the hub and bearing retaining bolts and dust shield.
   2. Place the transaxle in PARK.
   3. Using a suitable front hub spindle removal tool, separate the hub and bearing from the drive axle.
   4. If necessary, remove the steering knuckle.
   
   
9. Clean the rust and foreign material from the knuckle mounting face, bore and chamfer to allow the bearing to properly seat in the knuckle.

To install:

1. For 1993-99 vehicles, perform the following:
   1. If removed, install the steering knuckle.
   2. Position the hub and bearing assembly to the drive axle. Apply a light coating of grease to the knuckle bore. If the new hub and bearing has a protective plastic cover, remove it before installation. Also, do not handle the knuckle or hub assembly by the ABS sensor wire.
   3. Install a new drive axle nut and draw the hub and bearing onto the axle.
   4. Place the transaxle in NEUTRAL.
   5. Install the dust shield, being careful not to damage the bearing outboard lip seal.
   6. Install the hub and bearing bolts, then tighten to 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm).
   
   
2. For 1987-92 vehicles, perform the following:
   1. Install a new hub and bearing seal in the steering knuckle with a suitable seal installation tool. Install the steering knuckle to the strut.
   2. Lubricate the hub and bearing with grease. Fill the cavity between the seal and bearing completely.
   3. Install the halfshaft.
   4. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle and insert a new O-ring around the hub and bearing assembly.
   5. Install the hub and bearing, and shield into the steering knuckle. Tighten the bolts to 70 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
   
   
3. If equipped, attach the ABS front wheel speed sensor connector, then clip the wire to the dust shield.

1. Install the rotor and caliper assembly. Tighten the caliper bolts to 38 ft. lbs. (52 Nm).
2. Insert a drift punch into the caliper and rotor vanes to prevent the rotor from turning. If not already done, install the shaft washer and nut (if equipped). Tighten the nut to the following specifications:
3. 1987-88 vehicles: 3 ft. lbs. (270 Nm).
4. 1989-90 vehicles: 15 ft. lbs. (260 Nm).
5. 1991-99 vehicles: 107 ft. lbs. (145 Nm).
6. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
7. Carefully lower the vehicle, then tighten the lug nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).

Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

These are the steps you need to follow for this procedure if you have the proper tools.

1. Remove front caliper assembly and rotor from the steering knuckle as outlined under "Caliper, Replace" in the "Disc Brake" unit repair section.
2. Remove hub and bearing to stub axle retaining nut.
3. Disconnect hub bolts then remove hub and bearing assembly from steering knuckle by sliding it straight off end of stub axle. If metal seal on hub and bearing assembly is seized to steering knuckle and becomes dislodged on hub and bearing assembly during removal, or when removing hub and bearing, the finger disc on hub becomes damaged, hub and bearing assembly must be replaced.
4. If hub and bearing will not slide out of knuckle, insert a prybar between hub and steering knuckle and gently pry hub and bearing from knuckle.
5. Tighten stub shaft nut, lower vehicle and with brakes applied, torque stub shaft nut to 70 - 90 ft. lbs.

Replace the hub assembly which can be bought for $58 to $100 from various sources.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Place jackstands under the cradle and lower the vehicle slightly so the weight of the vehicle rests on the jackstands and not on the control arms.
3. Remove the wheel assembly.
4. Insert a drift punch into the rotor and remove the hub nut/washer.
5. Remove the brake caliper, support and the rotor.
6. Using the front hub spindle remover tool, separate the halfshaft from the hub.
7. Remove the hub/bearing assembly-to-steering knuckle bolts and the hub/bearing assembly. To install:
   
8. If replacing the seal, drive the seal towards the engine. Cut the seal off the halfshaft; be careful not to damage the halfshaft boot. NOTE: If the speed sensor bracket is removed or loosened from the steering knuckle, the speed sensor gap must be adjusted. If the speed sensor is removed from the bracket, speed sensor wax must be applied to the sensor before it is reinstalled in the bracket. Failure to apply the wax will permit corrosion and may result in sensor failure.
   
9. To install the new grease seal, lubricate the with wheel bearing grease and using the hub seal installer tool, install the seal.
10. Install the hub/bearing assembly-to-steering knuckle bolts and the hub/bearing assembly. Tighten the hub/bearing assembly-to-steering knuckle bolts to 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm).
11. Install the halfshaft to the hub.
12. Install the rotor and caliper.
13. Install the hub nut and washer. Tighten to 183 ft. lbs. (245 Nm).
14. Install the wheel assembly.
15. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle.

okay i assume the rotor is off,remove the bolts out the back, take a hammer and beat the front of the hub the top then bottom then the sides to free,hit so that hub pull out,you will be hitting the back side the hub where the wheel would sit,if that doesnt work then use a chisel to break free, stick it where the hub meet spindle,ITs just frozen beat it.

The vehicle will need to raised on the left (drivers) side and supported. Remove the tire, then the brake caliper assy. Remove the rotor, then remove the axle nut located in the center of the hub assy. Remove the hub/bearing retaining bolts, and then the hub assy. Some times it is corroded into the steering knuckle assy. and will not seem to come out. If this happens, install the axle nut, and wearing safety glasses, pound onto the hub flange from the inside to the outside, until it comes out of the knuckle assy. Then remove the hub assy. Clean the knuckle hole where the bearing with 120 grit sand paper, so the hub/bearing assy will go into the knuckle without damage. Torque the axle nut to specs. Clean the inside of the rotor, where the hub meets it, so it sits flat against the new hub. Install the rotor, caliper assy. Install the wheel and torque the lug nuts to 100 ft pounds. Road test about 5 miles and recheck the lug nuts.

Remove the brake assy. Remove the rotor. Remove the big axle nut. There should be 3 bolts that hold the hub bearing assy in place. Remove those bolts. Tap the hub bearing assy. off. Pull the axle shaft out.