“The Right Tool for the Right Job”
We all know that owning a Willys is a labor of love. These old boys can be a very frustrating to work on, especially if they have been sitting for a while! A great tool to put in your arsenal is a Hub Puller. This friend will help you ease the hub off without stripping the studs. To find out which direction to turn the lugs, look on the end of the lug studs for an ‘R’ and ‘L’ stamped into the stud (depending on your model). Shoot the lug nuts with some penetrating oil, apply the Hub Puller and ease the nuts off. This tool will save you time, money and prevent you from having a very stressful moment with your cherished Willys! For a more detailed explanation on how to remove the hub, see below:
How to remove a Willys or Jeep Hub:
1.) Back the shoes off (using the 2 cams on the back of the backing plate).
2.) If there is a large nut in the drum center, first remove the cotter pin, then remove the nut, followed by the washer. Remove the tapered axle and clean off the axle key.
3.) Here is where you will want to use that heavy duty hub puller that pulls on the studs and pushes on the axle end. Be careful! When steel parts (and you) are under stress, injuries are not uncommon. Parts can suddenly pop off under pressure, so make sure to put the hub puller on tightly and with even pressure.
4.) When you are ready to put the hub back on, make sure to clean and grease the tapered parts of the axle and hub. Double check once you have slipped the hub onto the axle, that you have seated it securely.
NOTE: Remove the key before putting the hub back on!
5.) After you have secured the hub, line up the axle keyways and slip the key into place. Position the angled corner on the key away from you and pointed towards the axle, NOT the hub.
Above all, BE SAFE!
If you don’t already have a heavy duty hub puller, you can get one for your Willys here.
Just used this puller last week to pull the rear hubs and it works like dream! Worth every penny. Thanks for a great tool at a fair price. Rick
Gots a 55 Willy. It’s the front hub with the locking device that looks ugly to remove. I get the lock casing off (six bolts is it?)but don’t see right off how to get at the axle nut. The hub puller in the Kaiser-Willys ad (I have one) won’t fit alongside the center casing of the front hub (no room for those wide castings). I’ve dealt with this before on other old vehicles using a couple of chain links to extend the reach of the puller, but don’t like to. Am I missing sommat? AFF
I might be offering too simple a solution, but I ran your comment by Mike at Kaiser Willys who suggested using a socket (the front hub should just unbolt…) The hub puller is intended for the rear only… Let me know if that helps! You can always call Mike directly at 1-888-648-4923 if you have any more questions!
any trick to sliding the hub back on or does it go back on hard too?
any trick to sliding the hub back on or does it go back on hard too?
Mornin I have a 1955 Army 4×4 M38A1 trying to restore ,I am trying to remove Front Brake hub from axle, their is a LARGE Recessed NUT with Splined Axle shaft , question how do I remove the Nut?
Mornin I have a 1955 Army 4×4 M38A1 trying to restore ,I am trying to remove Front Brake hub from axle, their is a LARGE Recessed NUT with Splined Axle shaft , question how do I remove the Nut?