Stubborn hub Dana 44 tapered shaft

I'm working on changing over the brakes on a military Dana 44.
The first hub came off easily with a 3 jaw puller and a whack with a hammer.
The other hub won't break free.
Have already tried heat, snapped the bolts on the puller and distorted the hub (luckily I wasn't planning on reusing it)
My next plan of attack is to make a puller from 3/4" steel plate that will bolt up to the wheel studs.

Anybody have any other tricks up their sleeves for popping this damn thing off without destroying anything else?

 

Thanks Glenn,
I'll see how the puller I make works out.
I actually had left the 3 jaw on the hub overnight, didn't do anything except maybe distort the hub more.

 

There should be several posts somewhere about what people have done to get the hubs off. As Glenn mentioned, most have used the three leg puller that attaches to three of the lugs. Others have bought two extra legs so they could attach to all five of the lug bolts to minamize the chances of warping the drum. Somebody showed a homemade puller that involved another hub with a large nut welded to it and a large bolt to press on the axle shaft. Some of the oldtimers would just loosten the axle nut and drive around for a while aiming for the bumps. That worked for me once, on one side of the Jeep.
The last time I pulled the hubs off of the Commando, using the correct puller, one came off "easily" and the other side involved lots of beating , swearing and sitting there looking at it. Finally, I broke out the gas welding rig and heated the hub with all of the puller still on it.
I fixed it, I bought a flanged 44 to replace the D35 that was in it.

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/removing-hubs-on-dana-44-axle.112824/#post-1192381

 

Either use the right puller or have someone else do the work. They pop right off with a hub puller.

 

Sometimes.

 

Best is to buy/rent one of these http://www.amazon.com/OTC-7394-Universal-Hub-Puller/dp/B0002SRH60

 

Yes, that is the tool to use. The one I shold have bought about 40 years ago. If you rent or borrow one, you will notice many hammer scars on them. On those little nubs on the T bar thing and on the end of the screw. Sometimes it takes that much to get the darn hubs off. Start with a one lb hammer to tighten up the screw. Then get the big gun to pound on the end of the screw. I assume you know to spray everything down with a real penetrant for a few days before attempting this task.

 

Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm going to break down and buy a puller.
Once I laid out the one I was planning on making I realized it wasn't going to be all that strong due to the stick out of the axle from the hub.

 

a 3 jaw puller on the drum is definatly a recipe for failure. I have 3 or 4 hub pullers myself but i kinda like this idea. Some are so tough i was sure the puller was going to let go and the hub finally goes bang.

 

Best to leave the nut threaded on a few threads to keep it from flying across the garage when it comes apart.

 

Has anyone tried this one?

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product...-accessories?gclid=COL_y4iulskCFdgKgQodAtIFPg

 

In my posted how to on the thread above I said keep the nut on. Let me be clear, keep the nut on the axle 3 turns because the hub can let loose with enough force to injure you".

 

Not a way I would recomend. You need a guy about 400 lbs and around 6'10". Hook some chain up to the lug bolts and wrap the handle of a pick in them. Everybody else was holding the 3B so it didn't slide off of the jack stands as he pounded away. He got those hubs off anyway and I could replce the parts on the powerlock to get home to CO. from Farmington NM. Lots easier to rent borrow or buy a puller unless you know people of that size, and they like you. Actually, this guy grew up on the Rez and both of his parennts were missionarys. He was one of the largest people I have ever met and also quite kind and thoughtful. His job was driving a large tow truck around Western US retrieving semis that broke down.

 

With that set up, there seems to be no way to use impact on end of the axle. Thus more force needed on the studs/drum. Easier to damage them.

But, that said, it's the kind of thing I'd do if I had to.

 

Posi Lock 20 ton puller..........with a little heat from a large rosebud and off she comes.