Trying to swap lower BJ's. We have the caliper, etc removed. Trying to remove hub from axle spline. The outer CV joint is in the way, how the heck can you get a socket on these 4 bolts?

The way the Chiltons book reads is to pry the inner CV joint from the front diff and then move the steering knuckle out and away, BUT how can this happen when the lower BJ is is still connected to the lower control arm, etc. Once the drive shaft is pryed out, I dont see the unit lowering enough.

I'm stuck on this one. Any ideas?

 

Nevermind guys. Just spoke with a buddy that is master engine builder/tranny, etc of high performance race shop/muscle cars. He's got a dodge and won't even touch his BJ's. I'm not gonna mess with it, putting it back together.

 

Well how are you going to replace a bad BJ then? We have How To's and DIY's in our FAQ section at the top.

 

Hey Weed,

yeah, I've seen steve05's and another on the upper BJ. But two entirley different set-up's than mine. Mine is a 4x4, in which of course I have the CV joints and axle to deal with. We decided to button it up, due to the time frame, seems like this will take 5+ hours each side without any stumbling along the way. We started at about 11am and my truck had to roll at 630am this morning, no if's and's or but's.

I'm looking to do some more research or try to find somebody on here that has done these on a 3rd Gen 4x4 1500. The guy we spoke with is the head tech/builder at Vengeance Racing and there must be a reason why he won't touch his.

So....any 3rd Gen 1500 4x4 owners out there that has done these lower BJ's?

 

I'll let ya know in three weeks how it went. Sledding trip this weekend for the family, ordering all parts Monday and hopefully tackling the job the weekend of the 12th. Doing Upper, Lower, Leveling kit, and Trans Service..."Me Time"

 

iv replaced both hubs on my last dodge and on my new one i just replaced the BJ on it 2 weeks ago...its fairly easy...just time consuming....you have to get a BJ seperator and seperate them from the knuckle....its easier than you think....if you have any questions....PM me

 

Ok guys thanks. Yep, I had the BJ master tool kit from parts store (took it back). I've read where I need a slide hammer with CV joint adapter to remove the CV axle from the front diff. This was one of our main concerns, removing that axle and getting it back in correctly.

 

Hi Tim.
I have removed my outer CV shaft from the hub with no probs bud.
No need to remove the hub bolts to get the outer CV shaft out.
I removed the top control arm BJ from the steering knuckle, which allowed the whole steering knuckle/hub assy to drop downwards.
I then had enough room to drop down the hub and then angle the CV joint enough to pull out the outer end of the CV shaft from the hub splines with a little bit of the old pushing/pulling etc lol.
Obviously that's with all the brake caliper assy removed etc.
Luckily there was no rust or crud build up on my CV spines or hub splines, which really aided in the removal of the shaft.
I do believe however that the inner CV shaft which locates into the front diff, can be a real pig to remove and a slide hammer is sometimes needed. Either that or two large pry bars to pry out the shaft.
But I have also read that for some, it pulls out real easy????
Either way, when/if you refit your CV shaft, make sure you coat liberally the splines with a quality anti-seize compound.
This is do-able and I replaced my outter CV drive shaft boots on both sides of my 03 Hemi 4x4 using this method in about 4 hours, taking my time for T breaks lol.
You know us English and our T breaks ha ha ha.
Good luck mate.
Al.

 

Why are you trying to remove the CV shaft from the diff? If you get it out of the hub And move it to the side you'll have plenty of room to press out the balljoint.

 

Hey guys, sorry for the delay. I've been working mega hours, out of town, etc. No, have not dont the BJ's yet. I have now got another major problem forming with the front end that I may need to post about, but don't know what to post yet. Major vibration from right side as wheels turn and very audible. Going to pull wheel and see what I can find 1st.