CA1329318C - Hub punch - Google Patents
Hub punchInfo
- Publication number
- CA1329318C CA1329318C CA 608050 CA608050A CA1329318C CA 1329318 C CA1329318 C CA 1329318C CA 608050 CA608050 CA 608050 CA 608050 A CA608050 A CA 608050A CA 1329318 C CA1329318 C CA 1329318C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hub
- wheel
- wheel bearing
- punch
- bearing housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B29/00—Apparatus or tools for mounting or dismounting wheels
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
A hub punch to be used with an air hammer for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing within a wheel bearing housing comprises a head, having a face to engage the inboard end of the wheel hub;
a shank, adapted to be securely engaged by the air hammer; and a means for rigidly connecting the head to the shank.
A hub punch to be used with an air hammer for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing within a wheel bearing housing comprises a head, having a face to engage the inboard end of the wheel hub;
a shank, adapted to be securely engaged by the air hammer; and a means for rigidly connecting the head to the shank.
Description
~329318 TOOL FOR REMOVING WHEEL HUBS
FROM AUTO~OTIVE EQUIPMENT
The present invention relates to a method for removing wheel hubs from automotive equipment and a tool which has been prepared and designed to accomplish this purpose.
Conventionally, the servicing of wheel hubs and wheel bearings on automotive equipment and in particular on front wheel drive vehicles is accomplished by removing the wheel bearing housing from the automobile and then pressing the wheel hub out from the wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing with a press or similar device.
This permits access to the wheel bearing for inspection, removal or service. However, the wheel bearing housing is often connected to a suspension strut by a pair of bolts which are used for adjusting and securing the wheel camber geometry. The adjusting and securing of wheel camber on front wheel drive cars by this method is well known. If this wheel camber adjustment is disturbed, as for example when the wheel bearing housing is separated from the suspension strut, the wheel camber must be re-aligned to the recommended configuration, a labour intensive task.
It is desirable therefore, when removing a wheel bearing housing, to avoid disturbing the wheel camber by avoiding the separation of the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut.
In the past, however, servicing of a wheel hub or wheel bearing has required separation of the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut or removal of the suspension strut and wheel bearing housing as a single unit. In either case, it is usually necessary to remove the tie-rod end from the wheel bearing housing and the lower ball joint from the wheel bearing housing. It also requires removal of the drive shaft and various brake components such as the brake calliper and rotor on disc brake vehicles. It also requires either the separation of the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut, or, where the wheel bearing housing is not separated from the strut, the removal of the suspension strut from the strut tower.
The object of the present invention is to provide a quick and effective way of removing a wheel hub from within a wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing on an automobile without removing the wheel bearing housing from the automobile.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tool which, when used in the manner set out herein, overcomes the need to separate the wheel bearing housing from the automobile when repairing or replacing wheel bearings or wheel hubs.
In one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a tool to be used with an air hammer for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing within a wheel bearing housing comprising a head, having a face to engage the inboard end of the wheel hub, a shank adapted to be securely engaged by the air hammer and a means for rigidly connecting the head to the shank.
In another broad aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing housing while the wheel bearing housing remains attached to the suspension strut of a car with a hub punch and air hammer, which comprises removing the drive shaft axle nut, wheel, brake calliper and brake-rotor;
disconnecting the tie rod from the steering arm knuckle of the wheel bearing housing and the lower ball joint from the wheel bearing housing; removing the drive shaft from the wheel hub;
engaging the hub punch into the air hammer; and placing the hub punch face against the inboard end of the wheel hub and activating the air hammer until the wheel hub is free from the wheel bearing.
In drawings which illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is an elevation of one embodiment of the hub punch tool of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevation Gf the general layout of a front wheel drive assembly, showing an exploded view of the wheel hub within the wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a particular advantageous embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein.
The tool of the present invention, illustrated in Figure 1 is designed to be used in association with an air hammer and is to permit the easy removal of the wheel hub from the wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing while the wheel bearing housing remains attached to a car and in particular, to a suspension strut. In its preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the hub punch head 1 has a circular face 2 formed at one end of the head, the face having a diameter very slightly less than the inside diameter of the wheel bearing 3 and greater than the inside diameter of the wheel hub splined shaft 4. In another embodiment, the hub punch head is hollowed and present a ring-shaped face, the outside diameter of which is also very slightly less than the inside diameter of the wheel bearing 3 and greater than the. inside diameter of the wheel hub splined shaft 4.
Defining its length, the tool of Figure 1 has a shaft of diameter no greater than the inside diameter of the wheel bearing 3. This permits the hub punch head 1 to travel through the wheel bearing 3, driving out the wheel hub 6 without damaging the end of the wheel hub splined shaft 4.
The hub punch is provided with a shank 7 which permits the hub punch to be securely held by an air hammer chuck. The shank 7 dimensions are dictated by the type of air hammer chuck to be utilized. In the preferred embodiment, the shank is provided with a collar 8 which is positioned so that the collar abuts the chuck of the air hammer to prevent damage to the shank when the air hammer is activated and used. The shank 7 is attached to the shaft 5 which is attached to the head 1.
In one embodiment the head diameter is reduced at the shank end to reduce the weight and material used in the manufacture of the tool. It is expected that those skilled in this art would vary the head shape in a variety of manners to reduce the weight of the tool while maintaining strength and rigidity. For example, the head may be conically-shaped, the base of the cone forming the face of the head. Moreover, head and face diameters of various sizes are required to permit utilization of the tool of the present invention with wheel hubs of various sizes.
The method of using the hub punch of the present invention to remove a wheel hub from a wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing on a typical front wheel drive car is as follows: First, the drive shaft axle nut 9 is removed, the car is hoisted and the wheel is removed, exposing (in the case of a wheel with a disc brake) the brake calliper 10 and rotor 11, which are disconnected and removed from the wheel bearing housing 12 and wheel hub 6 respectively.
The tie rod 13 is removed from the steering arm knuckle 14 of the wheel bearing housing 12. The lower ball joint 15 is removed from the wheel bearing housing 12 and the drive-shaft 16 is removed from the wheel hub 6. It can be appreciated that the foregoing steps may follow a varied sequential pattern from the method referred to above without detracting from the invention, and that this method would be adapted with minor variations in the case of a wheel with a drum brake and in the case of other variations in the steering, braking and drive components.
At this stage, the suspension strut l9 and wheel bearing housing 12 are still attached to one another as a single unit and are attached to a vehicle because the suspension strut 19 is still attached to the strut tower. The hub punch of the present invention, which is used in association with an air hammer or similar device is then placed into the air hammer, the shank 7 of the hub punch being securely held by the air hammer chuck. The circular face 2 of the hub punch is then placed flush against the inboard end 17 of the wheel hub in a manner such that the hub punch is not resting against and will not damage the wheel bearing when the air hammer is activated. The air hammer is then activated, driving the hub punch against the wheel hub 6, thereby forcing the wheel hub through and free from the stationary wheel bearing in a matter of seconds. The wheel bearing remains stationary against B
,, the action of the hub punch, being held in position against such action by a circlip 18. Once the wheel hub is free from the wheel bearing, the wheel bearing can be serviced or removed easily in a manner well known to an automobile mechanic.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the automotive tool design art, without any departure from the spirit of the present invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the present invention.
FROM AUTO~OTIVE EQUIPMENT
The present invention relates to a method for removing wheel hubs from automotive equipment and a tool which has been prepared and designed to accomplish this purpose.
Conventionally, the servicing of wheel hubs and wheel bearings on automotive equipment and in particular on front wheel drive vehicles is accomplished by removing the wheel bearing housing from the automobile and then pressing the wheel hub out from the wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing with a press or similar device.
This permits access to the wheel bearing for inspection, removal or service. However, the wheel bearing housing is often connected to a suspension strut by a pair of bolts which are used for adjusting and securing the wheel camber geometry. The adjusting and securing of wheel camber on front wheel drive cars by this method is well known. If this wheel camber adjustment is disturbed, as for example when the wheel bearing housing is separated from the suspension strut, the wheel camber must be re-aligned to the recommended configuration, a labour intensive task.
It is desirable therefore, when removing a wheel bearing housing, to avoid disturbing the wheel camber by avoiding the separation of the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut.
In the past, however, servicing of a wheel hub or wheel bearing has required separation of the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut or removal of the suspension strut and wheel bearing housing as a single unit. In either case, it is usually necessary to remove the tie-rod end from the wheel bearing housing and the lower ball joint from the wheel bearing housing. It also requires removal of the drive shaft and various brake components such as the brake calliper and rotor on disc brake vehicles. It also requires either the separation of the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut, or, where the wheel bearing housing is not separated from the strut, the removal of the suspension strut from the strut tower.
The object of the present invention is to provide a quick and effective way of removing a wheel hub from within a wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing on an automobile without removing the wheel bearing housing from the automobile.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tool which, when used in the manner set out herein, overcomes the need to separate the wheel bearing housing from the automobile when repairing or replacing wheel bearings or wheel hubs.
In one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a tool to be used with an air hammer for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing within a wheel bearing housing comprising a head, having a face to engage the inboard end of the wheel hub, a shank adapted to be securely engaged by the air hammer and a means for rigidly connecting the head to the shank.
In another broad aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing housing while the wheel bearing housing remains attached to the suspension strut of a car with a hub punch and air hammer, which comprises removing the drive shaft axle nut, wheel, brake calliper and brake-rotor;
disconnecting the tie rod from the steering arm knuckle of the wheel bearing housing and the lower ball joint from the wheel bearing housing; removing the drive shaft from the wheel hub;
engaging the hub punch into the air hammer; and placing the hub punch face against the inboard end of the wheel hub and activating the air hammer until the wheel hub is free from the wheel bearing.
In drawings which illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is an elevation of one embodiment of the hub punch tool of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevation Gf the general layout of a front wheel drive assembly, showing an exploded view of the wheel hub within the wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a particular advantageous embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein.
The tool of the present invention, illustrated in Figure 1 is designed to be used in association with an air hammer and is to permit the easy removal of the wheel hub from the wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing while the wheel bearing housing remains attached to a car and in particular, to a suspension strut. In its preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the hub punch head 1 has a circular face 2 formed at one end of the head, the face having a diameter very slightly less than the inside diameter of the wheel bearing 3 and greater than the inside diameter of the wheel hub splined shaft 4. In another embodiment, the hub punch head is hollowed and present a ring-shaped face, the outside diameter of which is also very slightly less than the inside diameter of the wheel bearing 3 and greater than the. inside diameter of the wheel hub splined shaft 4.
Defining its length, the tool of Figure 1 has a shaft of diameter no greater than the inside diameter of the wheel bearing 3. This permits the hub punch head 1 to travel through the wheel bearing 3, driving out the wheel hub 6 without damaging the end of the wheel hub splined shaft 4.
The hub punch is provided with a shank 7 which permits the hub punch to be securely held by an air hammer chuck. The shank 7 dimensions are dictated by the type of air hammer chuck to be utilized. In the preferred embodiment, the shank is provided with a collar 8 which is positioned so that the collar abuts the chuck of the air hammer to prevent damage to the shank when the air hammer is activated and used. The shank 7 is attached to the shaft 5 which is attached to the head 1.
In one embodiment the head diameter is reduced at the shank end to reduce the weight and material used in the manufacture of the tool. It is expected that those skilled in this art would vary the head shape in a variety of manners to reduce the weight of the tool while maintaining strength and rigidity. For example, the head may be conically-shaped, the base of the cone forming the face of the head. Moreover, head and face diameters of various sizes are required to permit utilization of the tool of the present invention with wheel hubs of various sizes.
The method of using the hub punch of the present invention to remove a wheel hub from a wheel bearing and wheel bearing housing on a typical front wheel drive car is as follows: First, the drive shaft axle nut 9 is removed, the car is hoisted and the wheel is removed, exposing (in the case of a wheel with a disc brake) the brake calliper 10 and rotor 11, which are disconnected and removed from the wheel bearing housing 12 and wheel hub 6 respectively.
The tie rod 13 is removed from the steering arm knuckle 14 of the wheel bearing housing 12. The lower ball joint 15 is removed from the wheel bearing housing 12 and the drive-shaft 16 is removed from the wheel hub 6. It can be appreciated that the foregoing steps may follow a varied sequential pattern from the method referred to above without detracting from the invention, and that this method would be adapted with minor variations in the case of a wheel with a drum brake and in the case of other variations in the steering, braking and drive components.
At this stage, the suspension strut l9 and wheel bearing housing 12 are still attached to one another as a single unit and are attached to a vehicle because the suspension strut 19 is still attached to the strut tower. The hub punch of the present invention, which is used in association with an air hammer or similar device is then placed into the air hammer, the shank 7 of the hub punch being securely held by the air hammer chuck. The circular face 2 of the hub punch is then placed flush against the inboard end 17 of the wheel hub in a manner such that the hub punch is not resting against and will not damage the wheel bearing when the air hammer is activated. The air hammer is then activated, driving the hub punch against the wheel hub 6, thereby forcing the wheel hub through and free from the stationary wheel bearing in a matter of seconds. The wheel bearing remains stationary against B
,, the action of the hub punch, being held in position against such action by a circlip 18. Once the wheel hub is free from the wheel bearing, the wheel bearing can be serviced or removed easily in a manner well known to an automobile mechanic.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the automotive tool design art, without any departure from the spirit of the present invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the present invention.
Claims (7)
1. A hub punch to be used with an air hammer for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing within a wheel bearing housing comprising:
a head, having a face to engage the inboard end of the wheel hub;
a shank, adapted to be securely engaged by the air hammer; and a means for rigidly connecting the head to the shank.
a head, having a face to engage the inboard end of the wheel hub;
a shank, adapted to be securely engaged by the air hammer; and a means for rigidly connecting the head to the shank.
2. A hub punch as in Claim 1, wherein the face is generally circular.
3. A hub punch as in Claim 1, wherein the head is generally cylindrical, the base of the cylinder forming the face.
4. A hub punch as in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the head is hollow.
5. A hub punch as in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the shank is rigidly connected to the head by a shaft.
6. A hub punch as in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the shank is collared where the shank extends from an air hammer chuck.
7. A method for removing a wheel hub from a wheel bearing housing while the wheel bearing housing remains attached to the suspension strut of a car with a hub punch and air hammer, which comprises:
removing the drive shaft axle nut, wheel, brake calliper and brake rotor;
disconnecting the tie rod from the steering arm knuckle of the wheel bearing housing and the lower ball joint from the wheel bearing housing;
removing the drive shaft from the wheel hub;
engaging the hub punch into the air hammer; and placing the hub punch face against the inboard end of the wheel hub and activating the air hammer until the wheel hub is free from the wheel bearing.
removing the drive shaft axle nut, wheel, brake calliper and brake rotor;
disconnecting the tie rod from the steering arm knuckle of the wheel bearing housing and the lower ball joint from the wheel bearing housing;
removing the drive shaft from the wheel hub;
engaging the hub punch into the air hammer; and placing the hub punch face against the inboard end of the wheel hub and activating the air hammer until the wheel hub is free from the wheel bearing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 608050 CA1329318C (en) | 1989-08-10 | 1989-08-10 | Hub punch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 608050 CA1329318C (en) | 1989-08-10 | 1989-08-10 | Hub punch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1329318C true CA1329318C (en) | 1994-05-10 |
Family
ID=4140445
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 608050 Expired - Fee Related CA1329318C (en) | 1989-08-10 | 1989-08-10 | Hub punch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1329318C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-08-10 CA CA 608050 patent/CA1329318C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |