At last found time to continue with this job.The breather is clear.I guessed at 1 5/16 in.for the nut and got a box socket from Amazon.I had to grind the eternal corners of the socket as much as I dare as the clearance is really tight,but eventually it fitted and the nut came off easily.However I can't shift the hub.I'm using a very heavy duty commercial three leg puller and belting the centre bolt severely.I think the hub may have shifted a couple of mm but it's solid now.Any ideas?
Also if I ever do succeed ,on refitting the hub how do I ensure it is properly seated when it is so tight?