tyttuut

I'm working on replacing my LS430's rear wheel hubs. I'm following this guide: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...del-ls430.html

The problem is, I can't remove the dust deflectors. I've spent upwards of an hour prying and cursing at both of them with no luck. I even bent a screwdriver, and it still hasn't budged. I'm not sure what to do here. Maybe I need to curse at them more?

rkw77080

Refer to the sketch below (see arrows), please check to make sure the axle (rear drive shaft) is pushed back far enough to clear and allow the dust shield to pop out...

tyttuut

How far does it need to be pushed in, and how much effort should it take to get the dust deflector off? I feel like it's taking too much force to do both parts of the job, but maybe that's to be expected.

ls430w140

tyttuut, use the tool which i mentioned in that topic. Using screwdriver to pry the duster through the hole may damage the threads.

Bsavage

I followed the same guide like a year ago for both sides pb blaster helped and a second set of hands

tyttuut

(I put this in the wrong thread. Duh.)

Okay, I got one side done. I learned a couple lessons on the way.

First, when it came time to press the dust deflector back in, I needed some small strips of metal as the tutorial shows. My first, very naive and stupid approach was to use nails since I couldn't find anything else. Needless to say, that backfired. The deflector ended up in the right place, but the nails bent the deflector a little. I think I cranked it down too far as well. What worked was some pieces of approx. 1/8" x 3/4" steel bar about 3" long. If you don't have these, just go to the hardware store and buy a length of steel bar for a few bucks. Don't try to improvise like I did. Fortunately, I got the deflector back into the right shape, but it's still got some little dents in it.

To get the hole in the deflector lined up with the hole in the knuckle, start by getting the bits of steel bar in place and loosen the gear puller just enough to stop the bars falling out. Then get the deflector aligned, and tighten down the axle nut. Watch through the hole and stop tightening when the holes are aligned. It'll take some fiddling, but it's doable.

Also, regarding the original issue, the key was to twist the screwdriver (pretty hard) instead of prying. You need a very beefy screwdriver. I used a 6" flathead driver. Get one that's pretty thick, or it might just bend or twist. I made the most progress through the top hole.

When you're installing the new hub, you need to push the axle back to reach the bolts, but you can't pull on the hub because it needs to be all the way back. Instead of hooking the gear puller onto the hub, hook it onto the plate behind the parking brake. I used the little opening at the bottom, and the gaps that the other two arms will line up with. The top right one may need to be pushed further in with a few gentle hammer taps.