Quick Tip: Dodge Ram front wheel hub removal

A quick tip on how to painlessly remove the front wheel hubs on the Dodge Ram 4x4 heavy duty trucks with the solid front axles. This is especially useful if your truck lives in the salt belt.
This step is necessary to remove the steering knuckle before replacing the balljoints or front axle u-joints.
Thank you to veteran Chrysler tech Brian W. at Absolute Auto Repair for the tip! www.absoluteaut...
Check out the video from briansmobile1:
• How to replace U-joint...
The THOR (vice and hammer) method has become my favorite for u-joint replacement. There's less chance of damage than using a hydraulic press!
Finally, check out the video from South Main Auto Repair on how to extract broken exhaust manifold studs:
• Removing Broken Exhaus...
Eric O. sure knows how to use the torch and welder :)
Thanks for watching!

[@markpickering3040]

From a guy who has attempted to replace front hubs.got all the way to that point.and nothing.beat the shit out of it.put it back together? Got 1 word for ya: gamechanger!!!

[@xxlxpman]

Lisle makes a hub bearing removal tool for about 20.00 for an air chisel. Set it up like you did but instead of the socket the tool fits over the bolt heads and you rattle it off in seconds. Check it out.

[@jeffblack1644]

Much obliged for sharing this! I swung a 4 pound hammer at an 07 2500 for about 3 hours yesterday. Found this video and got that side and the other off in 10 mins.

[@weshawkins7165]

I’ve done four of these in the last year and a half. What a pain. Never thought of using the power steering like that. I usually buy replacement bolts and use in place of the stock ones and hammer the bolts driving the hubs out. Some times it can take hours per side depending on how rusted in they are. You got lucky with this one.

[@davidryedragon6173]

I just used your "trick" that your friend shared with you to free up my very stuck hub and it worked!!!! Thanks for sharing this, I really appreciated it. Please tell your friend thanks also.

[@rebeccad6557]

I saw this right now and wanted to share it with a friend who has an 02 dodge ram thanks dude !!!

[@Geekstocks]

This is the best video work I have seen on the power steering method of removing the hub bearing assembly - nice job cameraman! The power steering method is the ONLY method in my opinion that works up here in salt country. The Lisle air impact tool is a joke - the Dodge laughs at such puny efforts. You would think that 3 jaw pullers would do the trick, and maybe in the South they do, but not in salt country. Anyone using the power steering method should choose a socket or extension that they don't care about, because the force exerted on the tool(s) is significant and will booger up both ends of the tool. I still have the left side to do, and maybe using that Lisle tool for the "pusher" would give it some purpose in my toolbox.

[@kenman1717]

Ahh the famous Dodge balljoints. Our shop does probably 2 sets of these a week and diagnose more. But Dodge has since updated their specs for play on these balljoints so now we have to actually put a dial indicator on them just because we do so many. The latest specs as of earlier this year are 100 thou up and down, 45 thou in and out. Which in my mind is stupid, because most vehicles don't have specs anywhere near that or no play at all allowed.

[@aaronr1328]

Chrysler right?

[@upallnight888]

Briansmobile1 also have that trick of using the steering to break the hub from the spindle. Great video

[@bajaboy27]

awesome, I'm changing the bearing tomorrow, this video came in handy a yr after posted lol cheers mate.

[@masseymm]

Nice up sell on the oil change

[@yepper1165]

I put a short socket on the bolts a beat on them with a baby sledge like I saw in an older guys video. It took about 5 minutes of beating on one side and about 45 minutes of beating on the other side. Ruined the socket but it worked with some consistency. Wish I would have tried this method.

[@paulhenry7536]

Dude you are a freaking BEAST I love ya it worked I popped the hub assembly and got the shaft out thank you so much

[@lukeloader]

Air hammer does not always work have hammered on the loosened hub bolts with an air hammer until the heads were mushroomed and still not break loose. Used this method and it worked. If manufacturers would apply anti- seize wouldn't have this problem.

[@workingshlub8861]

did mine last week..15 minutes of air hammering before broke loose...cheap harbor freight one but it worked.

[@meadowviewlawncarellc8079]

Good video. I used that exact trick about three years ago and it worked perfect for me just spray with WD-40 first, then hang on the wheel for a couple seconds and it does come right out. Use impact sockets and extension others will bend.

[@temporaryuploads7952]

Dang! Just spend a couple hours trying to get the hub off. Gave up and was going to take it to a dealer. Now will have to try this method! Unfortunately I already put it all back together. A weird thing happened though after doing it - the truck wouldn't start. The TPS light was on and now wondering how doing the brakes affected the TPS? Will try to reset it in the morning with the tips I just watched on You Tube. Thanks for this tip! Gotta love You Tube! (Thinking it might be cuz I left the ignition switch on while using the engine to turn the steering left and right to get the caper bolts off?)

[@stuzman52]

Nice tip on removing the hub Ivan!

[@chuckstewart7331]

Good video, BUT ! Always change BOTH ball joints at the same time, as a set. They both have the same amount of miles and abuse( plus why do all that labor again in 3 months just to save $45 bucks ?? )

[@workingshlub8861]

great tip ivan....i just did my 01 ram ...if you do not have an air hammer this is the only way to go.

[@wysetech2000]

That is a cool way to remove the hub on a Dodge. The first time I did it that way it snapped the shaft in the steering pump. Now I don't force it as much. That was a BIG job and I bet you were tired after.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

+wysetech2000 Wow that must have been expensive! Yeah I didn't know how much was too much...luckily no damage done in this case.

[@ericcorse]

That was a cool trick. That owner will pay in engine longevity for that oil situation. I thought it was kind of noisy. Can't believe it had pressure

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

+Eric Corse I know right! Good thing I didn't take it for a good test drive before changing the oil lol

[@adamwilcher8620]

Thanks you so much that tricked worked great. On a dodge 1500 i was fustrated and to the point giving up and then seen this video. Im not gay but your the first man ill glady say i love you lol

[@dross8580]

should of done upper and lower ball joints along with hub bearing just because your going to end up tearing down everything again but good video man

[@pcmountaindog]

Totally agree, the parts costs are almost nothing compared to the time required. These Rams with the heavy cummins motor eat those lower joints. If you are replacing the unit bearing do the ball joints, needed or not.

[@ryans8309]

Take your time doing this if it's really stuck on, Heat one at a time and do it.And don't force the steering.It will work.

[@neilm8263]

Love that tip with the socket:)..great vid. Cheers:)

[@seang422]

Good idea, but it didn't work on mine. My power steering went out attempting this on a 02 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel. The hub is still stuck, and I have something else to fix.

[@mawolff23]

5:00 holy crap! "Well there's your problem" Eric O

[@jperkey7089]

Very great tip!! Smart friend of yours that told u that!

[@Mikeywil0003]

This works on Jeeps too. I have also had luck backing off the bolts til they are flush, put a socket on the head and hitting it with a big hammer, or an air hammer.

[@dreamer2355]

Nice video! I'm here after seeing you on Eric's channel. You can also apply a similar method for wheel bearings on light duty vehicles by threading bolts so far back into the hub and using a air hammer on the top of the bolt.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

+dreamer2355 Great tip! Does that damage the bearing at all? Guess it doesn't matter if you're replacing it anyways!

[@dreamer2355]

No but you can damage the head of the bolt if your not careful :)

[@mylesswann530]

I could only imagine a 5.7 moving all that truck with the weight of the axles and body, I was expecting a v10, I'm not sure they had the 6.4 out by this generation but wow she must be a heavy drinker. I have an 03 HO 5.9 NV5600 and she does ok for city stuff, I'm expecting it to get better with new injectors and manual lock front hubs, but sheewww that 5.7 made me do a double take.

[@wtbm123]

I agree take apart the least you can with out making it harder.

[@hawkie333]

It works! Tedious, but it's about the only thing that got them out of there....smooth sailing after that...

[@vacountryboylifestyle5097]

Wrong wrong wrong. You are right there replace both !!!!!!!

[@bcbp14]

Thanks for that hub removal tip big help.

[@mygarden365]

Very nice tip, Thank You,so much.

[@russellselner403]

I have a 2000 ram 1500. bolts take a 14mm. I have an assortment of broken deepwell sockets for just that purpose. that tip should be in the owners manual

[@b4322558]

u had that side all apart and u didnt put a new lower ball joint in and all it would have cost the price of the part and little labor to pop that out and put it back in and so next year when the lower one goses bad mybe he will ask ya why didnt u do it while it was apart then instead of waiting till now lol....mybe its about the moeny i dont know lol

[@dayinmylife4147]

dude you are the bomb. thanks for the info on the hub

[@GrimmsAutoService]

Snap-on also makes a tool to do that part# DHP1 works just like the socket... awesome videos keep it up

[@rickd5997]

Excellent

[@ruvicelvelazquez4806]

Nice tip ,thanks

[@robertfrancisco1193]

who make a good replacement ball joint for a 2015 jeep jk thinking of a winter project!

[@mopardeer]

Note : This does work, I've done done many times. Although, I have also bent steering tie rods. When you are all done and go for a test ride, you'll know.

[@cbsctomh]

I did that same trick on a '98 Wrangler but first I pounded, chiseled and swore in 4 different languages. Using the hydraulic steering and a piece of bar stock the hub popped loose like nothing.

[@hellsingdudeman]

mine just cut a notch into my axel housing

[@aeronfraser2445]

Works awesome thx 4 the tip bud 👍👍

[@jkmoneygone172]

I have a 98 ram 1500 4x4 top ball joint keeps trashing. what brand should I use my truck is sitting on 18/39/15.

[@alexcharbonneau3369]

Great trick thank you for sharing.

[@jeremylephart8163]

Great idea... Bad results!!! Bent tie rod doing this

[@currie954]

you have it all apart , why would you not do all the ball joints at once. New parts mixed with old parts is crazy. just my opinion

[@nealart]

Brilliant

[@joseruiz1399]

thanks for your help.

[@rrcoster]

I bet she a oil burner now lol....looks like the owner been neglecting that trucks maintenance. Always fun of finding a good running used vehicle that been token care of.

[@heavysnow8616]

Get an air hammer. They will come right out. The power steering pump isn't designed to deal with that much force. Ironic a dealer uses this method. No worries, they break it they will tell you they "found" your pump steering box, whatever they damaged bad and you pay for their stupidity.

[@moocow2529]

That comment makes no sense. Power steering pump bypasses when it reaches a specific force. Why would they design a pump that gets destroyed when you hold the steering wheel full lock?

[@jessed2282]

What did you use to press the upper ball joint out and replace?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Jesse D A combination of the Harbor Freight BallJoint press and wheel bearing removal kit.

[@__WJK__]

Did I miss the video of the ball joint pressing/removal or is it on another video?

[@jaydenton5512]

You got lucky. I bent the drag link when I did mine that way.. I would not recommend this trick. Unless you're willing to buy another drag link.

[@SteveRobReviews]

Nice 👍

[@johnworkman5121]

I would be surprised if you had to replace the wheel bearings and steering knuckle after this

[@noneovyerbusiness4909]

Mine's frozen so bad it would probably blow the steering system while trying to do it.

[@thehavok4258]

[@davidjenkins1568]

If only I had power steering 😭😭

[@MattJonesYT]

I'm going to be doing this soon and will be using the pipe wrench method from kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4e6mHufh5ulotE because it looks like it would not put pressure on the steering components like this might. However if the pipe wrench fails I'll be using this trick.

[@kenuber4766]

I can't believe you are going to replace a top ball joint with out replacing the lower as well. Doesn't make any sense

[@2001pontiacta]

When I changed mine,(hub bearing n ball joints) I beat the hell outta mine to separate them!

[@greygoosemafia]

thats crazy lol

[@chrismadsen2264]

bent my steering arm thanks

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

well something's gotta give eventually...

[@beoutside]

yup just bought a dodge 3/4 ton had a bent drag link from someone else doing that technique works if only little pressure needed you should use a puller that bolts to the outside and pushes on the axle when they are really stuck or you will bend your steering linkage I have snapped extentions that way as well..... .... One trick use a wood spacer between socket so that the wood can take the excess pressure if the assembly is really seized the wood will give and not your steering :)

[@jasonfarnsworth5880]

Actually, they’re not ball joints are for front ends u joints or for drivelines 😂 tech tip number one grease that son of a bitch once in a while

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

? 😆

[@running.s.fabrication]

Mechanic change them both replace the hub it's insurance

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Insurance? Do you think people have unlimited funds or something?

[@running.s.fabrication]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics let's see your spending the time to just do ball joints your that far into it, spend the money for the other parts that hub does fail or upgrade to locking hubs which you can take a part re pack with grease and I'm a season mechanic, it's called preventive maintenance less down time

[@romanviking1007]

this is what u have to do for 4000$ trucks n ur good to go lol\

[@user-lq4yc1lh7u]

Greetings from Siberia. Starting the 5.2 liter v8 engine after a long idle time. First outing (in 8 years) DODGE RAMCHARGER 89-s kzbin.info/www/bejne/r524f6Cmj7OShJY