The trauma continues...

Tearing into the front suspension. Besides stripped bolts that hold the hub in place, has been pretty straightforward...until now. Driver's side = grease cap knocked off brilliantly, axle nut loosened, off, and hub just slid right off. Passenger side = no stripped bolts, they all came off well and good, all four easy. Then the grease cap, also easy, axle nut easy, outside bearing falls out, and then...the wiggly hub will NOT come off the shaft. It moves back and forth maybe 1/2 inch, is super wobble, not binding, but something is holding it on to the shaft and holding it tight. I've only gently tried prying, afraid to really lay into it. What the heck can it even be? Something...with the bearing inside? Can't imagine the seal is that tough.

My guess is that the inner bearing is frozen onto the spindle. I wouldn't be afraid to pound on it, as you're going to replace the bearing anyway (yes?). I'd try pulling outward on the hub as you hammer on the outer rim all around the circumference. Increase the pounding force, and eventually it should pop free. You might also try shooting some WD-40 or the like down into the hub towards the back, ideally a can with the little red straw. You could also put the brake rotor back on and use that to pull and pound on. Use care if you want to reuse your rotor, of course.

If none of those work, we'll have to go to plan B.

-Bryan

Great suggestion. I went out and attempted to do thusly. Got tired of trying to bolt on the disc so I got my flat pry bar and, without too much pressure, got it. For the life of me I cannot see anythign wrong, nor any reasons why it ought to have been so stuck on. Bearing was loose inside, not wedged. Really strange. But now on to the next!