Eclipse Front hub replacement help?

Alternatively, undo the nut about 1/8" and leave your socket on it. Get a

48" or longer piece of 2x4 (hard wood) and have your mate hold one end and the other square on to the nut. This is where you get an 12 lb sledge hammer and give the 2x4 a solid whack over the nut. The 2x4 will jump if its not exactly square, so your mate better be prepared. The 2x4 protects the socket and the nut from damage, and the 1/8" "freeplay" will provide enough on-thread load capacity. Hit enough times to start the shaft moving. Be prepared to hit REALLY hard if its stuck.

I had to do the above to get a rear drive spline out of my Expo AWD.

The same effect can be achieved if you have a large slide hammer that can be adapted to a 1/2 or 3/4 socket.

Stewart DIBBS

Sometimes they become frozen and are a nightmare. Heat the splined shaft where it protrudes from the hub and allow it to cool. Apply a penatrating oil like PB Blaster and strike it sharply and squarely with as big of a hammer as you can get. Backing the nut out to the end of the threads and striking the nut will prevent you from damaging the shaft and losing it's core value.

The rest of the info you need can be found here