Driving back from work today i could hear a banging noise coming from my front end. I stopped and saw that my driverside front tire was at an angle and would move back and forth whe jacked up and pushed on. I noticed when i pushed it the axle shaft would move with it, "is this normal"? Also I removed passenger side axle shaft 2 months ago because it snapped, could driving without a passenger side axle shaft be the source of my problem? What else could be the source of the problem? Please comment, all info is appreciated, thank you.
Ps: I got it towed home after i noticed the problem

95 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, 5.9l

 

Did you leave the axle stub in the hub/bearing? if you didn't, it probably blew itself apart, and you will need to replace it. Pics??

 

what do u mean? should i have put the passenger side axle shaft back into the axle?

 

no what hes saying is the internal axle will not cause the problem, but if you didnt leave the shaft that goes into the bearing, thats your problem, or maybe it could be you drivers side u joint.

 

the shaft that goes into the bearing directly behind the wheel? that's in

 

I will try to upload pics later today.

 

ok, as i read things, here's your situation:

2 months ago you broke a passenger side axle, and removed the inner half and left in the outer stub, which goes through the bearing. so you have the outer stub bolted into the knuckle, no u-joint, no inner half of the passenger axle, and its riding ok with no problems. this is fine and it does not cause additional problems.

your current problem is on the drivers side, and the tire is flopping around, and sitting at a funny angle. the most likely cause of the problem is a falling-apart wheel bearing, which is integrated with the hub. don't drive it. remove the brake stuff, big axle nut, and bearing. bearings are expensive. check the axle shaft and u-joint to make sure its not damaged.

pictures.
http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech-article-5.html

 

Thanks, that was it, the wheel bearing. I'm having the worst time trying to get those 3 12 point nuts off. and i dont have a torch handy. Any tips??

 

Douse 'em with chemicals, put a socket on 'em, and rap on it with a hammer a couple times. Then try and break 'em loose.

 

Thank you so far for all the help. I've taken off the three bolts and after alot of hammering femoved the second half of the wheel bearing. There was a peice of metal in between the wheel bearing and where it meats the other metal, it was rotted and destroyed. Can i put in the new wheel bearing without replacing that or must i do that??