I need to replace the driver side front u-joint on my 04' 2500. it is sweaking and driving me crazy. i am looking for any good suggestions on how to remove the front hub assembly. also my truck has a 2.5" leveling kit ever since i installed it, it does "the death wobble". I replaced the front shocks with a longer set from bds, it made no difference, i was wondering if maybe a drop pitman arm is in order. any help would be much appriciated

thanks

 

i had a real hard time getting my hub assy out, and i've done it 3 times now. always a PITA. i pryed it out of a dodge mechanic that you can use a couple inch long or so socket or pipe, or similar shaped object that is ridgid, and that you don't want to use again. you put it inbetween the housing by the axle opening and the yoke and turn the steering wheel into it, then do the other side a little bit and this forces the wheel bearing assy (with nut off etc of course) out slowly. i had jacked up the truck and had the motor running, so my power steering would assist, i completely squished a socket doing this it was so tight, and its probably not the best thing to do, but it worked. it just sort of wiggles the seized hub assembly out of its hole. gotta make sure to do it front a bit, then back, then front then back.

 

i was wondering if you completely remove the four bolts in back or just back them off a little untill you get it to pop off

 

i had completely removed them 4 bolts.. but before i learnt this 'trick' i had used a variety of pullers, and a large amount of pounding and penetrant and had sort of egged one of the bolt holes, and pullin that one bolt out was a real pain in the ***. so i suggest no pounding on the little corners where theres threads.. stupid mistake, but i was frustrated already! since i haven't needed to pound anywhere either, using that method.. but you will want to clean the crud out from the spindle where the hub sits, wire wheel or something like that,

 

That "trick" has been written about many times on this forum.

 

ANTI-SIEZE!!! on re-assembly.

 

can you describe exactly what to put the socket inbetween when your pressing the hub assem. off

 

Back off the bolts and put it between the bolt head and the axle yoke. I don't use a socket but a solid piece of steel (punch) but you need the proper length and 2 people. Be patient, it can be a slow process. Watch for hairline type cracks on the outside faces for progress. I didn't need power steering but the hub movement was almost imperceptable at first. 3 or 4 pushes on each side before the crack was even really visible.

Good luck.

 

I tried the steering trick and it did not work on mine even with the power steering helping. I looked around on here and seen where someone showed using a 2 ton bottle jack so I tried that and it still didnt work. So I got a second bottle jack, I ended up putting a long 18mm socket on one of the bolts with another one up against the axle yoke and two 2 ton bottle jacks on the rear bolts, then it started giving a small crack but the jacks couldnt do anymore, At that point I had to take a small sledge and start hitting the corners on the steering knuckle and keep working the jacks until I got them out. I made sure I put anti sieze on when I put it back together.

 

the steering trick worked great. i replaced the u-joint, and upper and lower ball joints. thanks for the tips!!