Hey guys, I am noticing a faint clop clop sound from the front driver side when idleing slowly. My truck has about 85K on the ticker and I am suspecting the driver side front axle ujoint going out. Since my "radar" is on I think that I am noticing a little bit of a vibration when on the highway around 60 mph or so. I am religeous about lubing the front driveshaft cardan joint so I don't think that it is there. I have had it in 4wd a couple of times recently and didn't notice it then, but am noticing it now when not in 4wd. If this is the case, I am not sure on how to take the axle out of the front without separating the hub bearing. I have done some searches in the forum and can't find good enough info. to make me think that this is the culprit and a good explanation on how to pull the axle. Any help on this would be appreciated.

Thanks
Wood

 

Your symptoms are identical to mine when my passenger side U-joint went out. You don't have to separate the bearing to remove the axle. There are 4 bolts on the back of the backing plate that you remove after taking the caliper off. Some good instructions are here: http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/axle/front_axle.htm
The hub can be a bear to remove. You can use a socket placed in between the U joint and the diff case and turn the steering wheel to push it out. Some guys also use a socket and extension on one of the loosened bolts to do the basically the same thing. Be careful not to damage the ABS ring if you have one.

 

Thanks Berner, good link. I'm soaking down the bearing tonite with some penetrating lube for the rust. Will tackle in the AM.

Wood

 

Question, do I need to take off the spindle nut first or can I leave it on. Seems to me that it isn't necessary to take it off so that it will keep the hubbearing together right? I'm trying to drive the hub out of the collar right now and it is a beotch!

Thanks
Wood

 

Forget that link! Take a socket that will fot the bolts ( 4 bolts for the bearing ) use an extension for a spacer. Start the truck up and turn the wheel ( 2 people really helps!) hold the extension/spacer against the axle snout while your helper turns the wheel forcing the hub out of the axle. You may have to "walk" the hub out by placing your socket and extension on different bolts, but with 150K on the ticker for mine, the hubs came out with 2 pulls of the wheel on 2 different bolts! Take the axle nut off too. It is too cumbersome to try to remove the hub bearing and axle all together without screwing up the seal. Support the axle shaft well , trying to keep it centered as much as possible on removal and installation.

 

I knew you'd chime in to help VZ! Thanks, I'm taking my greasy fingers off this keyboard and getting back on this thing.
Thanks
Wood

 

I can't take credit for the procedure! I learned it here! I only wish I had known it 7-8 years ago when working full time at the daggone Dodge dealer! Man .........I swung the heck out of the hammer back then!

 

Well, several hours later and I still don't have this freakin' thing out! I have the axle nut off, the four bolts in the back about 1/8" loosened, caliper off and have tried a 3lb. sledge, airhammer, lots of PB blaster lube and tried using the power steering to push the hub out and nothing gives. Any other tips?

Wood

 

Should I heat it with a torch?

 

Did you try the power steering? That ALWAYS has worked for me! Back the bolts out more than that. I usually have them about 1/2" or so, and obviously, the more the hub pushes out, the closer the bolt gets to the spindle again. After you get about 1/2" out or so, all the way around, then a rubber mallet usually finishes it off for me.

 

Yeah, I did the power steering thing, but I felt like I was using too much force with the steering wheel. I noticed that the end of my extension against the metal was actually bending the metal surface that it was forcing against. What do you think now?

 

I put it right against the "snout" of the axle. Heavy cast piece, right at the end where the axle shaft comes out. That, and try to "pop" the wheel. Not slow and easy, but a quick jerk of the wheel . It is dark, or I'd snap a picture.

 

Oh, ....... and hopefully it is an old extension too, it can mushroom the end of the extension some. But just look for the thick cast piece that looks like it was pressed onto the end of the axle tube. That should be plenty tough enough to not bend.

 

I know where you are speaking of. I will try and use that position and "pop" the steering wheel. The extension that I am using is pretty Gnarly already, and after the abuse I put it through today... well... you know...

 

Here is a link with some pictures too. Might be a little more helpful.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...+bearing+trick