Front hubs....can be a tough job as you pointed out.
I personally wouldn't advocate using the power-steering method. Even though it's all over youtube...by these 20-something youtube mechanic wizards who are doing the job for the first time!! Ha ha. One might potentially enhance their truck's steering geometry that way ...lol. Cause extra work. Fortunately not in your case (as far as you know now). Imagine if a guy busted the case of a $2500 unobtanium cast aluminum EPS unit? A tried and true method I've used is to support the lower control arm with something solid like a piece of heavy gauge square tube that fits over the ball joint...and the bottom of the square tube on concrete. That way when you whack the hub with a BFH, you're getting solid blows ...not bouncing around on the rubber bushings. But even then, sometimes you run into some real tough ones.
I also wouldn't advocate replacing front hub/bearing assembly unless they are failing. OEM parts are generally much better than even good aftermarket parts. Manufacturer's bid out parts for new vehicles based upon a 'spec' Chrysler has written. The spec describes exactly the metal formulation, tolerances, testing methods, part life expectancy, and dimensions of the part. Even if it's made by Chrylser or a trusted supplier. Because of that, OEM parts are generally far better due to the level of quality control ...vs aftermarket. They don't just call their buddy in China and say, "...hey Wong ...send me 100,000 front hubs, the cheapest you got!" LOL. OEM hubs often outlast aftermarket hubs 3:1... in some cases. I used to do engineering building projects with a major OEM automotive supplier for many yrs. The plant manager whom I got to know, was always showing me their latest new part they were making. They get penalized on failures seriously, so they are uber-careful to produce the highest quality part they can. Auto manufacturers hold all the cards whe it comes to car-part acquisition. That's why a lot of aftermarket suppliers go out of business. But that's not to say some aftermarket hubs aren't good. But I've had many aftermarket hubs last a couple yrs, or were even pre-warped out of the box.
These are just 'suggestions' ...plz don't take my comments as finger-wagging. I've made about every mistake a guy can make..so I have learned from my own sins! It's a tough job, and glad you got it completed. With luck you got good parts and hopefully never have to worry about them failing. Out of curiousity, what brand hubs did you end up putting on?
