I have a 2004 ram 1500 QC 4x4 and was planning on changing the hub on the front right this weekend. I was just wondering if I will have to remove the tie rod and the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle to access the 3 bolts. The 4x2 models do not require this, if I remember correctly from the service manual. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

yup...upper ball joint and tie rod need to be separated

 

Hmm...i have an 03 and i did my passenger side about a month ago, i was posting on here for help and what not with it, and i didnt have to remove my upper ball joint OR my tie rod and i have a 4x4 so i dont think that you will need to at all..I'm replacing my driver side one as soon as it comes in as i can hear it getting worse and worse everyday..part should be here thursday...anyways, i think you'll be fine...i could get to 2 of the 3 bolts without a problem, and the 3rd i just had to add an extra extension on. One thing that i will say though, make sure you have power tools, or find someone that does, took me 45 minutes to do mine, but if i didnt have power tools, would have easily taken me a couple hours because of how rusted the bolts were. Also make sure you have a rust catalyst spray otherwise you could break something...then you'd really have a problem!

 

Had my replaced on my 08 2wd under warranty about a month ago and they removed the tie rod end for sure. I can see where it was removed.

 

I did my driver side about 8 months ago myself and there is no way in hell I could get those bolts out with out separating the upper ball joint, tie rod end and tipping the knuckle towards me.

 

you knock loose the tierod end so it's easy to move around you dont need to undo the ball joint . but you need to remove the axel nut then push the axel back to get a socket on the bolts I use a puller to grab on the outside of the hub and it push's the axel back

 

few days ago helped my neighbor change his wheel bearings on his 02 dodge ram 1500 4x4 i didn't need to take anything loose just the axle nut. I used a swivel socket 1/2 inch drive extension and impact. the drivers side just fell apart in 2 pieces guess it was bad also. My truck is due next for wheel bearings. glad you guys don't have 3500's my wheel bearing for my truck. a timken is 450 from autozone.