Can't get unit bearings off

maddog411

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Harrisburg, NC
I'm trying to change the ball joints on my '00 Dodge Ram 2500. I can't get the unit bearings off the knuckles! I'm gone thru a whole can of PB Blaster, I've tried putting one of the bolts in about 1/4" loose with a big socket on it and turning that against the knuckle with the power steering on both sides, I'm trying hammering as hard as I could on an old socket/extension pressed against a slightly loosened bolt, I'm trying putting a chisel between the bearing and the knuckle, and everything else I could think of short of beating on it in a way that could damage the bearings. I'm almost ready to pay someone to do this!
 
I had a buddy who just went through this. He ended up using a prota-power to pop it out. I've had good luck turning the wheel all the way in one direction an cutting a piece of tube to fit between the inner C and the throat of the stub shaft, then turn the wheel the other way and it usually gets it started. This is not good on ball joints but as a last resort it usually works pretty well.
 
I just went through this with my '02. We tried every trick in the book and had all the cool tools. It was mostly done with an air chisel, torch and bearing puller. All I can say is go ahead and replace everything while you're in there and good luck! I would have never dreamed it being such a bitch!
Here's some tips http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=809854
 
MarsFab said:
I've had good luck turning the wheel all the way in one direction an cutting a piece of tube to fit between the inner C and the throat of the stub shaft, then turn the wheel the other way and it usually gets it started.
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This, plus air chisel.

But start the fawking truck and use the power steering. It doesn't do shit if you just turn the wheel by hand. And lay into it, it's not like you're going to break .... much.
 
Shawn said:
This, plus air chisel.
But start the fawking truck and use the power steering. It doesn't do shit if you just turn the wheel by hand. And lay into it, it's not like you're going to break .... much.
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Do this. Period.
I work on these everyday and this is how I do them also. Use a good 1/2" extension and socket. Loosen the unit bearing bolts, put socket and extension on one of the bolts and wedge it against the "C", LCA, whatever. Use the power steering to start moving it. Hold it against a stop while tapping it with a hammer. Works every time.
 
Jody Treadway said:
Do this. Period.
I work on these everyday and this is how I do them also. Use a good 1/2" extension and socket. Loosen the unit bearing bolts, put socket and extension on one of the bolts and wedge it against the "C", LCA, whatever. Use the power steering to start moving it. Hold it against a stop while tapping it with a hammer. Works every time.
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this works good, they make a solid socket that has a hex to fit over the hub bearing bolts. You can wedge it in there or beat it with a hammer.

btw; I would change the ujoints in the axles while you have it apart. If they are not bad already; it want be long.
 
Most tool companies now have a puller just for this now. Check with your local auto parts store to see if they have one to rent. In the past i use a large 2 jaw puller and a air hamer with chisel bit to start prying out the unit bearing. Good luck cause they can be a pain.
 
Like I said guys I had already tried the socket & extension pressed against the Cs with the power steering multiple times.

After talking to a couple people I realized the bearings were probably going to be toast in the process of removing them and accepted that I am going to have to replace them. I took my angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and made a notch in both upper corners of each bearings, and then stuck a chisel in the notch and went to town. I broke 3 chisels in the process but I got both the bastards off! :beer:
 
heres a trick from chrysler dealers. a big hammer on the wms face of the hub. smack it a few times and rotate the hub, smack again. if u hit it hard enough itll pop loose. dealt with that numerous times on jeeps. just needs some gentle lovin'
 
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