So I tried to tackle the right side ball joints on my 02' 2500 4x4. I have got it down to the hub. Axle is loose and the 4 bolts behind the hub removed. I have used a air chisel and large hammer all with pb blaster and it won't budge. any ideas??!!

 

Ok spin the half shaft so that the outter U joint (the one that towards the tire) is parallel with the floor. If you are working on the driver side turn the steering wheel so you would be turning right then take a solid piece of steel and cut it about 2 1/2 inches long and put it between the end of the axle tube and the u joint then start your truck and turn the steering wheel to the left the hydraulic pressure from the power steering pump will push the half shaft/hub out. You might have to move your piece of steel back and forth between the front and back of the u joint it took me swapping it three or four times but it pushed the half shaft out and I didn't even break a sweat. I did it by myself but if you have a buddy you can hold the piece of steel in place until it will stay then have your buddy turn the steering wheel. If you don't understand what I am saying maybe somebody can explain it better but once you figure it out it is a cinch to get them off.

 

Have a look at this... might help you out.

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3r...tml#post694286


or

http://www.solidaxle.com/PDF/Dodge_S...Directions.pdf


good photos.... and good luck!

 

The pictures on that link don't show the half shafts coming out, if you leave the castle nut on the end of the half shaft the whole thing comes out with the hubs.

 

Take two of the hub bolts and thread them in about halfway back into the rear hub bolt holes. Take the socket you used to remove them with a short (1" should work) place the socket on the bolt head and wedge it against the axle tube, start the engine and use the power steering to pop it loose. If you don't have someone to hold the socket while turning the steering wheel use an elastic strap or similar item to hold it while gently turning the steering wheel to force the socket against the bolt to push the hub off the knuckle. If it binds up, do the same on the front of the hub to work it back and forth. Hope this helps.

 

Yeah that is exactly the same concept I was trying to explain i think using the socket is easier to understand but either way will get your hubs broke loose without a lot of effort

 

thanks to all!! the steel bit between the u-joint and axle tube worked great!! had to work it back and forth a bit but it finally gave up. thanks again!!