Triumph Repair: Rear axle bearings, rear wheel bearings, triumph sports six club

Question
I am trying to replace the rear wheel bearings on a 1978 Spitfire.  The rear hubs will not separate from the axle stubs.  I have tried using a slide hammer, a hub shark, as well as a little gentle oxy/acetylene warming.  The key-way seems pretty rusted and I have soaked it in penetrating oil.

Do you have any special techniques to recommend?

Thanks,
Terry

Answer
Terry,

There is a special tool that's purpose built just for removing the hubs on the Spitfire rear axle... appropriately enough it's normally referred to as a "hub puller".

The originals were made by Churchill tools, but there are replicas still being made.  I picked one up from the Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC) in the UK in the late 90s.  You might post a "wanted" ad on the Vintage Triumph Register list (www.VTR.org) to see if someone near you has a spare.

Or if there is a specialist shop in the area they may be able to help out.  It's worth a few $$$ to avoid the aggravation.

With the hub puller it's still a chore to get the hub to separate from the axle.  Without the tool all you'll wind up doing is bending or cracking the hubs.


Cheers,

Jim