'13 ram 1500 4x4 5.7 3.92 front diff. I purchased the truck used, lifted with spacers. Had a bad hub on passengers side. Decided I would replace both sides ,hubs, cv axles , upper control arms etc. after removal of such things. noticed the shaft coming out of diff. on the pass. side was chewed up , presumably from wheel bearing going bad. none the less I also no you can not purchase that shaft , you have to purchase entire diff. So my question is , can I separate the cv axles leaving only outer portion through hubs until I am able to locate new diff. I know from experience this is possible with the older model center hub lockouts. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

The axle stubs MUST be in the wheel bearings, they are what hold them together. Aside from that, you can dump everything inboard of that cv joint, and be fine. I would also remove the front driveshaft, so you make certain you don't have things spinning up front.

 

I appreciate the advice. And if any knowledge of where I could pick up a diff it'd be great been looking on line and can't find anything other than rebuilds and new

 

car-part.com should be able to find something for you.

 

If it's just the right side stub shaft(intermediate axle) that got chewed up that can be easily repaired without replacing or removing the front differential. All that's needed is a new stub shaft assembly,a new grease seal and a new cv axle and topping off the diff. most of the time.If the shift collar and inner axle and pilot bearing are in good condition then it is a pretty straightforward process.