Jason,
This is my fourth restore project, and I have stripped others down for parts or repair.
I have moved my thread to the refurbish section since I have begun working on the 100.
I do not use pullers or a big hammer on the wheel removal. I have found a perfect gadget for removing the wheel.
First order is to spray with PB blaster once for several days, if the wheel looks rusty.
Before removing the seat, (very important!
) I remove the acorn nut on the wheel and screw this fella on the threads.
While pressing up on the wheel with my legs, I hit the gadget with an average size ball-pein hammer. Using a large hammer with a hard blow could damage the threads.
Several decent blows almost always does the trick. Sometimes it only takes one lick, usually no more than 10.
So far, I am batting 1000 with this type of method.
It's usually the first thing I do when I get another cub.
See ya in the refurb section!
P.S. Here is a pic of the gadget: