ok so i realized i have a bearing going bad, so heres where im standing now. i removed the hub nut with alittle fight and then i gave a decent tap to the axle to see if i needed an axle puller which i dont being it tapped inward. but i can not for the life of me remove the axle, i almost can pull it out the the diff but not quite.

i pulled, pushed upward while pulling, ect.. im almost there, ift i can get the axle out then from there its a home stretch anyhelp would be great,like to have it done tomorrow at best.. thanks, guys.

 

A lot of guys say it is not necessary to remove the shaft to replace hub bearing. You may have to disconnect the upper bj to gain extra room to get at the 3 bolts.
Every time I have replaced a hub bearing. I removed the cv shaft. Once the axle shaft nut is off. I would unbolt the top bj and pop it loose. Then pop the inner cv shaft off the spline pull out the whole assembly.
Pain in *** when you do it for the first couple of times.
Good Luck

 

i wonder if i just tap the the axle flush with inner part of the hub that would allow me to access the the 3 bolts? also how do i pop the upper bj off? i took the nut off and hit afew times but coulnt get it to move. i might not be doing something right though. what u guys think

 

6. Remove the tie rod end nut and separate the tie rod from the knuckle using special tool 8677.
7. Remove the upper ball joint nut and separate the upper ball joint from the knuckle using special tool 8677.
8. Pull down on the steering knuckle to separate the
halfshaft (2) from the hub/bearing.

Did you remove both the tie rod and the upper ball joint?

 

I didnt remove either, what is special tool 8677?

 

Can I use a hammer and pound the tie rod end and upper ball joint? That's if I have to...

 

I had to remove my whole front diff because the cv shafts were on there so bad, they are a PITA to get off. If you get it off I suggest doin new axle seals, intermediate shafts, and cv shafts. Depends on mileage.

 

Pound on the top of the steering knuckle adjacent to the upper BJ to pop it free, which then allows the whole steering knuckle to fall outward.
With the upper BJ removed, there's more than enough room to access the three bolts on the hub by pulling and twisting the steering knuckle to pull the CV shaft out.
Just taking off the hub nut and pushing back the CV shaft, will not allow sufficient room to get to the 3 hub bolts trust me. I've just done both sides on my truck last month.
Don't forget to use plenty of anti-seize compound when reinstalling all the new stuff. It'll pay dividends in the future if you have to tear into that sucker again!
Al.

 

Will the steering knuckle and ball joint be easy to go back in when finish.

 

I did a stupid move, I loosened the nut on the upper ball joint and hit it with hammer before I got the nut off. Now the threaded bolt going through the ball joint just spins. Do I have to press it back in so I can tighten it? If how? C clamp or something.

I bit more off than chew, I just to get it back together and get it to a garage before do damage