Replacing most front end suspension parts on a 1999 1500 4x4. Everything is going well, except that I can't get the hubs off. I rented a slide hammer, heated it, smacked it, ...no luck. Any clues? Also, if I happen to trash these hubs in the process, (they are ABS), must they be replaced with ABS hubs, or not. It would be nice to havem but they are almost double the price of non-abs hubs.

 

You don't have to put the ABS hubs on there..... but, you will have the ABS and Brake lights on constantly..... (might be able to fix that little problem by disconnecting power from the ABS controller.....)

Get yourself some sacrificial bolts, of the same thread as the ones that hold the hubs to the spindle. Thread them in, so you have as much thread engagement as you are gonna get, (longer than stock bolts wouldn't hurt here....) and then beat on THOSE with a hammer.

 

Thanks...I tried that by putting a sacrifical socket on the original bolts. No luck. Trouble is that you can',t get a straight shot from behind.

 

Turn the wheels so you can get as good a shot as you can. Go for whatever bolt is going to be easiest to hit. Once it even partially breaks loose, it will basically fall out.

 

I'll give it another shot....the slide hammer doesn't apply enough direct impact to the hub face. Hitting the bolts does a better job. Thanks

 

Slide hammer is good for pulling things, but, for the hubs, all they usually succeed at is pull the hub apart..... which is no good at all.

Best to try and drive it out from the back side.

 

there is also a method where you put a socket (no ratchet) on a loose bolt from the back and use the power steering by turning the wheel to pop it loose. I have even seen a photo of the procedure on here somewhere. you could also bolt the wheels back up lower the truck back on the ground and saw the steering wheel back and forth while maybe even moving the truck in drive/reverse a bit. also if you have a sledge hammer, you could jack the truck back up and with the tires installed hit the sidewall at 12,3,6,and9 o'clock something should happen.

 

This is a pretty good write up I found this about a month after doing mine.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-c...placement.html
Its on a 3rd gen but the procedure would work on a 2nd gen
EDIT
I should add that if you go without the 4WAL by not replacing the hubs with ABS ones YOU WILL NOTICE IT, as I've heard on here that Rear only ABS sucks, (almost like no ABS).
Check out www.Rockauto.com for low hub pricing

Here is a video of hub removal (I stole from another thread on here) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMbdE...ature=youtu.be

 

heat applied to the knuckle cavity, and hammer or powersteering pressure on the backside bolts are your best bets.

slide hammer is probably a waste of time. its the outer half thats stuck and splitting/removing the inner half won't do any good.

i would replace with abs hubs. rear only abs is worse than no abs.

 

i had a set siezed up one and it took quite a few hits with a BFH and penetraiting oil but the finnaly came out,,,, my arm was sore for a week afterward though lol