Alright im new to the forums but have been searching for days on how to replace ball joints and removing front axle hub/axle shaft. I have a few questions/ problems

1. i've tryed removing the axle shaft nut..but no success. i have heated it, pb blasted it, jumped on the breaker bar haha prolly not a good idea, ive used a 5 foot piece of pipe as a cheater, and also a 1 inch impact with no luck. any other ideas of how to get this darn thing off?

2. if i cant get the nut off and have to remove the hub/axle shaft assembled will it be ok? i know it could damage the seals, but if im careful and keep it straight while removing it, will it be ok? or am i wrong

3. well i already tryed removing the hub/axle assembled and dangit the darn hub wont budge. any suggestions on how to free this hub?

has anyone ever chisseld the axle nut off and just baught a replacement? cause it sounds tempting if nothing else works.

thanks to everyone's future response, ive been frustrated for days so any ideas would be awesome

ps.. i used the search many times, and get the same answers and ive tryed em all..since im a noob i figured i should clear that up now

 

What kind of truck have you got?

 

ha ha i thought i put that guess not

99 ram 1500 4x4 5.9 extended cab

 

Leave the nut on the hub. Take the hub and shaft out as an assembly.
Remove the 3 12pt bolts on the back of the knuckleand rent/borrow a slide hammer to yank it off.
Soaking the outside of the hub where it meets the knucklewith penetrating fluid for a few hours will help loosen things.
Good luck

 

yep, that works...

 

Leave the nut on till the hub is off. Losen the three bolts and take a 9/16 socket an beat on the socket. The socket will be toast but it makes the hub come out fast. (I just did the u-joints). Then slide the whole assembly out. Put the axle is a good vice. Then try a good impact. if u have a 1/2 ton im pretty sure the socket size is a 1 11/16. Should come right off.

 

thanks for the ideas guys...im definatly gunna give it another whirl..but first im gunna get that nut cherry red and see what happens..anyone else have some different ideas? thanks dennis

 

another question. does anyone know what threads the axel nut is? left or right handed? thanks again

 

I know this isn'ta redneck idea...evidently there is a puller built specially for this event. I know this from a buddy of mine who installed the 4.10s in my rig. We are getting ready to do the same job on my truck next week (new axle joints and seals) and he said he is going to go borrow the tool/puuler from his old shop to make our job easier. You may want to check into it...

 

just talked to murrays..said they have a hub puller.. guess ill have to rent it an see if it'll work thanks for the ideas