Can you remove the cv axles?

[2011ramster]

Hey all

I have a trip planned for the 4th of July. Currently my front axle is worn loose and won’t be able to get it fixed till after the trip. Is it possible to remove the cv axles and still be okay to drive the truck? And if so can anyone explain what I would need to do?

It’s a 2011 ram 1500

 

[BlackGold6.4]

I don't see why not .. but the only issue I can think of is the ABS and traction control may cause some issues, let us know how it turns out.

 

[DILLIGAF]

yup

 

[crazykid1994]

In order to remove the cv axle you have to disassemble the front suspension on that side including the axle nut. The ram trucks do not use a stub shaft for the wheel hub as far as I know like the older Chevy trucks. @Wild one can you confirm that. Should be 0 issue with abs and traction control as the cv has nothing to do with either

 

[Wild one]

Hey all

I have a trip planned for the 4th of July. Currently my front axle is worn loose and won’t be able to get it fixed till after the trip. Is it possible to remove the cv axles and still be okay to drive the truck? And if so can anyone explain what I would need to do?

It’s a 2011 ram 1500

You can pull both CV's with no issues. My pavement princess 4X4 has had everything from the t-case ahead removed for the last several years.

Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 - CV Shaft Replacement - DIY EASY!

New CV Shaft: https://amzn.to/3GTwxScMilwaukee 1/2" Impact BEAST: https://amzn.to/2WWNgzsTools I use: Milwaukee 3/8" M12 Impact (bare tool) - https://amzn.to...

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Front CV Axle Replacement on the Dodge Ram Truck and Other Damage Report from Last Trip

In this video I take a walk around the AutoEdit 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 truck and show some of the damage that happened on the last off road 4x4 adventure trying...

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[Burla]

Saw Zall.

 

[caulk04]

Now, I've not had the CV's out of mine yet but on any vehicle prior the CV stub shaft was pretty important to holding the wheel bearing together. Without the CV shaft being torqued down, only the press fit of the hub assembly held it together. A quick look shows me 185ft/lb for the axle nut torque, but don't take that as gospel.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Whatever the answer there, I would pull the axles and gut both the inner and outer joints then put each back in. This will keep **** out of the front axle and allow you to still torque the hub nut.

 

[BlackGold6.4]

I think it's only a spline and the bearings are held in when all bolted together but like @caulk04 said .. someone correct us if were wrong.

 

[Wild one]

Now, I've not had the CV's out of mine yet but on any vehicle prior the CV stub shaft was pretty important to holding the wheel bearing together. Without the CV shaft being torqued down, only the press fit of the hub assembly held it together. A quick look shows me 185ft/lb for the axle nut torque, but don't take that as gospel.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Whatever the answer there, I would pull the axles and gut both the inner and outer joints then put each back in. This will keep **** out of the front axle and allow you to still torque the hub nut.

You don't need the CV's at all Jesse,the 2 X 4's and 4X4's use the same front hub assembly,so you don't need a stub axle to hold the hubs together. My truck hasn't had the front driveshaft/front diff or front axles for going on 7 years,i removed everything when the truck had less then 5,000 miles on it,as it never sees any winter driving,or gravel roads,lol

 

[crazykid1994]

That’s what I thought @Wild one. The ram uses a full assembly not requiring a stub shaft. However my SIL has an 05 Silverado and I’ll be pulling the front cv axles and leaving the outer shafts. Her inner cv joints have failed. The Silverado requires a stub shaft or it’ll separate and fail. The outer shaft holds the bearings together on her truck.

 

[Wild one]

That’s what I thought @Wild one. The ram uses a full assembly not requiring a stub shaft. However my SIL has an 05 Silverado and I’ll be pulling the front cv axles and leaving the outer shafts. Her inner cv joints have failed. The Silverado requires a stub shaft or it’ll separate and fail. The outer shaft holds the bearings together on her truck.

There's alot of trucks that do require the stub shafts to hold the front hubs together,but our 1500's are one of the few trucks that don't. I'm good buddies with my local dealers parts department,so we went through the dealers catalogue's,and once i discovered the front hub assemblies were the same part number between a 2 wheel drive truck and a 4X4 ,i knew i could pull the CV's with no issues. You wouldn't believe the amount of crap i put up with on the facebook pages,once i started telling guys they could remove the CV's with no issues,consequently i don't have much patience for know it all's on facebook,if they start telling somebody the front wheels will fall off,if you don't have a stub shaft in place,lol

 

[pacofortacos]

Just make sure the stub shaft in the differential stays in place, otherwise you will have a gear oil leak.

 

[CliffordK]

Just make sure the stub shaft in the differential stays in place, otherwise you will have a gear oil leak.

That was what I was thinking.

Is the OP absolutely sure they can't get the parts in time? The amount of work to remove the axles, and the amount of work to replace the axles may well be about the same.

Even pay for overnight shipping so you don't have to do double the work.

 

[caulk04]

Well interesting.

As for work to do the job, someone already suggested the sawzall. Cut the shaft and you'll likely have room to get things out without further disassembly.

 

[Burla]

Well interesting.

As for work to do the job, someone already suggested the sawzall. Cut the shaft and you'll likely have room to get things out without further disassembly.

axle will be out in ten minutes as opposed to messing with the knuckle, and since you need to replace it anyhow??

The real question, would he have to cut out both sides or can he leave one intact. I don't know the answer.

Ben using my sawzall for rebar for a project, cuts it like butter, the thick stuff too.

 

[Burla]

I think that hard to find stub axle wasnt used yet on 2011, did it start 2012? Anyone have that info?

 

[DILLIGAF]

2012 and up has the POS gen 4 diffs. Literally the worst **** ever invented. I would ***** slap the idiot who designed that garbage.

Thats why I did a gen 3 front diff swap on mine.

 

[2011ramster]

axle will be out in ten minutes as opposed to messing with the knuckle, and since you need to replace it anyhow??

The real question, would he have to cut out both sides or can he leave one intact. I don't know the answer.

Ben using my sawzall for rebar for a project, cuts it like butter, the thick stuff too.

Both sides are pretty bad. I would cut both. Do you think that’s the way to go? Quickest and least dissembling required?

 

[Wild one]

Both sides are pretty bad. I would cut both. Do you think that’s the way to go? Quickest and least dissembling required?

Don't quote me on this,but i thought you could return your old axles for a core charge,but i might be thinking of the old days,lol

 

[Burla]

I didnt have to core my axles when I changed them.

If it were me I'd probably drive on the old ones have someone replace it all when I got back. It isnt a terribly expensive job, just hard on the ol arms. If it isnt popping when going straight, you should be ok.