How to Remove Rusted Wheel - Troy Bilt Tiller

[MOTractor]

I am helping my neighbor pull the wheel assembly off his Troy Built Econo Horse Tiller 1989. One side came off with a few days of applying PBBlaster and using an air hammer to break the rust free. The other side refuses to budge. A weeks worth of PB Blaster and air hammer use. It has solid cast iron weights on it so I was able to air hammer it from the back side.Will heat help? I have a torch that uses the small bottles of propane or MEP. Should I heat the center shaft or the wheel hub? Thanks for your help!

 

[ultrarunner]

Heat can do wonders but will damage paint, etc.

If you could position wheel side up a good penetrating oil over time can free stick assemblies…

 

[gengine]

Mix 50/50 ATF and acetone. Put in an oil can and squirt it on. Keep applying to both sides, and shake the can every time, as the acetone and ATF will separate. Give it a day or two and it should come off. You can try heat first, but just enough to make the wheel center expand and not the axle shaft.

 

[tomplum]

In addition, verify that saving the wheel is worth the trouble. Myself, I have a homemade puller that pulls from the back of the wheel. Heavy Acme rod as a drive through a hitch bar. It gets them off, but sometimes with such a bang it is scary. If it is worth pulling the wheel, yes.