I Am In Total Hassle, Pain And Misery

[eob 7]

 

That image isn't mine, I stole it, but, in a nutshell, I am in very big hassle.

 

My GTi is ready to roll. Paint, wiring, interior, everything is finished, and yet it's on f**king axle stands because of a problem with a brake nipple. The following thread symbolises everything that's wrong with how Peugeot build their cars.

 

On the rear of the 205 GTi there are two bleed nipples, one for each brake cylinder, they are size 8mm, which is too small for such a torqued in part which is why the more modern cars come with 11mm brake nipples.

 

Now, when you ever refurbish a Peugeot's brakes, the rear brake cylinders are what normally stumps you. Common practise is for the nipples to be jammed solid, fitting an 8mm spanner and they round off. I know this, because I've suffered through about 6 different Peugeot 205's so my angle of attack is to soak the hubs in diesel for two days before I attempt to remove the nipples before I go near them.

 

The nipple on the drivers side rounded off, attached a vice grip, off it came. Nipple on the passenger side... no chance. Vice grip, hammered on a 7mm socket, spanner, hammer and chisel, it's not coming off. I sigh, say, a lot of curse words and resolve myself to removing the hub.

 

No amount of hammering, beating, sweating, cursing or pulling will get the hub to come off. It is absolutely welded on there. I made my own custom hub puller out of a gate hanger (complete with circa 32mm nut and threaded bar) and a sheet of wrought iron ~5mm thick. It bent the wrought iron plate into a lubán. The bearing hasn't budged.

 

I then went to my local Peugeot specialist and asked him if it was possible to junk and refurb my beam completely. He can't touch it for two whole f**king months, and he's the only one I trust to do a decent job.

 

(My original plan was to refurb a spare beam while I was driving the GTi, then just swap that in whenever it was done)

 

1. Has anyone had any luck in using ingenious methods of removing rear hubs?

2. Can anyone recommend a good, nay, great mechanic up to the task of refurbing a 205 beam pronto inc the inner and outer bearings?

3. Anyone got a Mazda Mx5 for sale before I have (another) nervous breakdown?

 

Thanks!

[jonnie205 1]

get a 10 inch grinder and cutting disc and disc the c*^t off. If not then bend the back plate out the way, lay under the car with the biggest sledge hammer you can lay your hands on and hit like fu*k.

 

A big hub puller that can grab the actual outer part of the drum will see it come off as will sticking the traling arm on a press and prseeing the stub pin out through the bearing and arm. It all depends on what kit you have access to as to whats the best way at going about it.

[eob 7]

Question, Jonnie , All good suggestions so far (posts featuring heavy duty power tools and potential fire hazards are welcome), but, the nut on the back of the stud, what allen key is it? 10mm is too small, 12mm too big??

[Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars]

is the handbrake off? Wouldnt believe how many people try to remove these with the handbrake on. Make sure theres no tension left at all in the cable, failing that just bash the stub axle backwards with a big hammer and suitable drift.

[eob 7]

Handbrake definitely off. I know it sounds like a n00bish post, but, believe it or not, I've actually changed more than one set of hubs and I know they're 'tricky' but my god this is insane...

 

Shoes definitely aren't catching, and besides, if they were, the American Military grade hub puller I built would've made mince meat of 'em

[fangio 1]

Of ALL the methods you've tried you haven't mentioned applying heat - with regard to removing the nipple.

 

If I can't undo a nipple with reasonable force considering they are made out of chocolate, I always apply some heat and they ALWAYS undo with mediocre torque.

 

I'd even try applying heat to the stub axle.