This is a Dana 4500 front axle. I replaced the left side wheel hub and axle ujoint.The old ujoint was very hard to remove and the new one did not want to go into the axle ears. It was also somewhat stiff after the install.

Now when I tighten up the axle nut the hub is very hard to turn. When properly torqued it cannot be turned by hand.
If I back the nut off I can turn the hub but it makes a clicking sound.

 

Typically, the front axle in a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 will either be a Dana 44 or a Dana 60. Any photos showing your issue (the new wheel hub bearing and axle with nut) would be helpful. Is it 3 bolts that hold in the new hub bearing or 4? Also, what torque are you tightening the axle nut to?

 

I rechecked and the axle rating is 4850 not 4500. The axle is a Dana 60. There are 4 bolts holding the bearing hub to the steering knuckle.

The u-joint has the larger caps. The old one was dry in one axis. I was told this can happen if the axle ends are out of alignment. The new one was very hard to press in on that particular axis. The whole joit was very stiff as well.

I tightened the nut to 175 ft-lbs. As it is tightened the wheel hub gets harder to turn.

No photos, sorry.

 

Might be the wrong hub. Hubs and axle shafts changed somewhen in '99 although I don't know what the differences are. Could be the parts store got it wrong, or the axle was changed at one time.