I am replacing the ball joints and axle seals on my 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD pickup and cannot separate the spindle and hub bearing. Have tried tapping on the 4 bolts as described in the manual, and even removed the hub and spindle from the truck and tried heating the parts and then hitting the bolts with a hammer, but still cannot separate the hub and spindle. Any suggestions short of buying new parts?

 

not sure if i'm reading this right, but you should have to remove the four bolts and beat on it till your blew in the face. had one side that took 11 hours and the other in 2.

 

It is notorious to be VERY tough to separate.
Some leave the bolts 1/2 way in and use a socket and extension propped against frame/suspension bracket, then start the truck and turn wheel. It will apply large pressure on the hub, a little at the time it will eventually separate.
Check the bearing/hub for play, if it does, you will have to replace it, before too late, and as might as well check the drivehsfts u-joints and replace them if stiff.
When I reassembled mine I used a lot of anti seize grease, next time it won't be so tough to remove them.

Beware...it is a B..tch of a job !!!

 

my right side took me two hours i know that the left side is reversed threads on it on the shaft.

 

It took me 3 hours of beating on each side of mine with an air hammer. I have a CP hammer that is made for pounding king pins out of highway trucks. The left side finally came apart using a chisel bit by the ears. The right side, however, I broke all 4 ears off of the hub and then the hub blew apart. Had to replace that side. Up in Canada the best price I could find was $375 for one hub.

 

I did the socket with ext. and had someone turn the wheel and keep pressure on the it and i took a chisel on the outside between the dust shield and the spindle took a lot of beating and kinda tore up the dust shield but it went faster that way. also never seized everything when put back together.
ac

 

the dodge dealer has a value line of parts now that are oem and it is like 172 for the hub before tax, i used a 4lbs sledge hammer and hydrauliced my thumb, that will smart you.

 

Ok, Little Big Me, now that you have 9 fingers..... would you mind telling us what is the "Value Line" from your dealer ? The cheapest I've found these hubs are at Advance Auto Parts for $ 250 with tax and employee discount ( it was a favor), otherwise $ 275.00 at a dealer online