If I'd had the option of sending stuff to a shop there are plenty of times I probably would have too. As-is, I can tell you that sometimes the more of a struggle the sweeter the eventual victory :p

Sorry about your breaker bar, that's pretty weak. I remember one time having me and the boys all jumping up and down on the end of an 8' chunk of pipe on mine and it held out alright. Actually a beam style torque wrench with the measurement part broken I found at a parts yard, not like a hardcore pro unit or anything. Imo if it can't even hold up to your body weight return it and get something that can, this project aside they're an important tool

$400 ain't bad though, thanks for the update

Seriously though I finally bought a high torque impact (and bought into a different battery charger ecosystem because it was exclusive at the time).

I’ve used it lots since then, but I’ve also started a classic car restoration side business since.

It’s been clutch when scrounging the local pick junkyard as well.

updating this thread as it is top comment:

• I broke my 1/2" 24" breaker bar using body weight and bouncing on it

• I said fuck it and decided to just pay the shop and work OT this week to cover it

• I got annoyed with work and said fuck it and went and bought a 2/4" drive breaker bar, a TS8000 torch, and ordered a socket

• I tried a couple heat cycles and while output is way higher but it's not a pencil flame so I was just kind of heating everything up, including probably too much of the wheel bearing

• I am still working the overtime anyways, but I went for extra bike rides on the local mtb trails to make up for it (found some fun stuff, too)

• the socket arrived while I was biking this morning, so ten minutes ago I tossed the jack handle on the 3/4" breaker and it broke free on the second try

now on to the suspension bolts, and hopefully my air hammer can knock the axle free of the hub

two points of note:

1. I regularly see people on YouTube ignore the staked material and just twist it free

2. there wasn't actually any staked material left lol, it was just rust. not rusty steel. rust.

but yes, I think cleaning up the rust as best I could around those threads did help - I drilled it out and a dozen places and snapped two small drill bits doing so, but I think it helped some penetrant get in there as well as clear out some of the material preventing rotation

yes my new 3/4" breaker bar and 32mm socket are definitely going to be used on other things haha

I guess if this car lasts long enough to do another wheel bearing or, it'll get another use

I went back on my giving up, and updated the top comment thread here

but yeah I got it loose with a 3/4" drive breaker and cheater

gentlemen, we have achieved success. thank you everyone for the encouragement

shop quote was $360+tax ~=$405

I spent $25 on a 3/4" drive socket and $101 on a 3/4" breaker bar. plus $125 on the TS8000 that I'm not sure I needed for this. plus time/mileage driving around and fucking around with this. plus $165 on the axle itself from rockauto, which will arrive next week. total = $416

it's been a pleasure saving money with you folks

Hey that's awesome man. Good job!

They can be a bear for sure. But it was no match for your determination 👍

And now you already have the tools if it happens again!