I was just wondering what would be the best way to install the hub. Have any of you guys who used a block of wood and a hammer experienced any problems?

 

You've got a few options. First would be a crank hub installer. It's basically a long bolt looking device that costs about $40. AutoZone used to have them as a loan-a-tool so it's free. Eastwood sells them also. Second would be to buy a NEW crank bolt and just tighen the thing back on. I tried the wood before and had no luck.
That's just my .02

 

use a hub installer or you risk destroying your crank.
I rented one from autozone.

 

I use 7/16 threaded rod and thread it to the bottom. Then I can use the washer that goes under the hub bolt and a 7/16 nut to pull it on. I pull it on by hand and it's always gone on well.

 

That's a 7/16-20 thread (fine thread).

 

Yup. Thanks for the clarification.

 

USE ONLY A HUB INSTALLER!

Hitting it on is hell on the thrust bearings.


Using that bolt to pull it on is risky. If your doing it this way, buy a NEW bolt. I broke mine off in the crank pulling the hub on using the standard bolt which had been used several times to pull the hub on already. The broken part is in no way removable (tried welding to it and everything). Only thing holding my hub on now is the press fit and red locktight.

 

i tried the rod thing, didnt feel right, felt like the threads were going to get messed up.

So i just beat the **** out of the hub with a hammer and it went on, probably not the best for it, but its been working ever since

 

I bought a 3 foot piece of hardened rod to make my hub installer (which works for crank sprockets too ), and I have enough left to make 2 or 3 more if anyone wants some I'll cut it up and mail it for 5 bucks. Just email me.

 

While we're on the topic of harmonic balancers and everything, when we pulled off my harmonic balancer, we seperated the pulley and the actual hub into 2 pieces before removing. Not knowing that we could have left it one piece and pulled them together (Just did it the way the Haynes Manual suggested..). Anyways, now that we're gonna be putting it back together pretty soon, what would be the best way to do that? Thanks, I didn't want to just beat it back on thier. Who knows what all I would mess up that way...

 

Ok, I went to autozone to rent the install tool. It seems that I have to get the hub up to the oil seal on the time cover to get the 7/16 extension to thread into the crank.

The only problem with this is that I only can get the hub on the very tip of the crank, by hand. This problem is very similar the problem I faced when removing the hub. How do I get the hub further on without beating it.

 

Try starting it w/ the factory bolt but don't use the spacer. That should be enough to get it going.