I'm new to this as of today so I may not be the most knowledgeable on the subject. I'm attempting to replace the upper and lower ball joints on my '00 Ram 2500. It does not have independent suspension. I am unable to remove the hub from the knuckle. I have removed everything that I possibly can but the hub will not come out as it is frozen in place with rust and grime. The axle moved freely after the nut was removed. I have soaked all parts with any and all penetrating oils that I have. Any thoughts on the matter?

 

Did you try hitting it with a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer?

 

I've hit everything I could without damaging vital parts. If I was in a shop I'd just torch the old ball joints and pull everything out and deal with it out on the floor. Alas the days of a shop are over. I'm used to dealing with on highway tractors with almost indestructible parts (and not my pocket book if a part 'failed'). I'll keep trying tomorrow. Maybe I'll try the other side. It might show me something I'm not seeing. Thanks.

 

Use P B blaster, you can get from walmart for about 3 bucks a can, if it can release a rusted bolt off of a 30 year old bolt, it can release any thing, Spray a liberall amount the hub and all crevices let sit from 5 min to over night and it should release. You could also spen the $20 on a propane torch, like the ones used for camping.

 

Although I am sure you have already got the hub off and replaced it, I thought I would state an easy little trick on how I have removed them in the past (for others searching).

Simply back the bolts out a small amount (like a quarter inch) and pound on them (with a socket or wrench) to loosen the hub from the spindle. And, always remember that anti-seize is your friend. Smear a generous amount on the back side of the new hub so the next removable is a walk in the park.

 

Keep trying and banging and soaking. Took me a good hour to get the hub off my 1988 Lincoln Town Car. I thought it would never come off. ... Good luck come back and let us know how or if you ever got the bugger off.

 

The truck is almost ten years old and the ball joints are OEM and everything was frozen in place. This being said, I ended up having to drop the knuckle, hub, and axle shaft from the ball joints. Then I had to cut the ball joints using a cut off wheel and a hacksaw. I pulled the hub and knuckle off together and took them to a machine shop. It cost me $30 a piece and took the guy two hours to press the hubs out of the knuckles. After that it was a piece a cake to remove the remaining pieces of the ball joints. Installation of all parts was simple. Thanks to every one for their responses. JackJ, thanks, the P B Blaster helped.