Need a hand

[AshC]

So we just bought a 2009 Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI - it has a bad CV axle.
So spent a couple of hours trying to wrench it out and finally got it, got a new half shaft and...we can't get it in! We've tried everything short of pulling the entire hub off (brakes are off, calipers off)...what now? ideas please?

 

[doz]

Im pretty sure you will need to disconnect the UCA. Removing the brake caliper (only 2 bolts) will give you some more working room too I believe. Also, it can be a pain in the ass to get it to slide on. Sometimes a little lube will assist with the process.

 

[AshC]

Yeah the caliper and rotor is off completely, we're working on the UCA now but it's tight and we snapped our 13/16ths socket in 3 places lol.
It's been an adventure, I"ll post pics of the new beasty tomorrow, providing we get it fixed and my boyfriend isn't taking my truck to work.

 

[AshC]

Oh and speaking of the bearings and all, they came out of the boot on the CV axle, the retainer came out in little bitty pieces through the boot as well. We got the first one off in pieces (they weren't happy about their core being ripped to shreds, haha) but getting one on has been a ******* nightmare so far.

 

[AshC]

Im pretty sure you will need to disconnect the UCA. Removing the brake caliper (only 2 bolts) will give you some more working room too I believe. Also, it can be a pain in the ass to get it to slide on. Sometimes a little lube will assist with the process.

Hey, that worked, got the UCA off (that wasn't easy either) and we managed to get it on, so now to reassemble!

Thanks!

BTW we love the new Ram, she's a beauty.

 

[doz]

Yeah, taking the UCA off makes it a lot easier, although it can still be a ***** to push back in. Mine popped out when I put a level spacer in and was a pain to get back in.

I couldnt get my old CV joint off of my truck after about 1.5 years. My boot had a crack and spewed grease everywhere. Never did get it changed, just traded it in. Actually have a spare CV axle now.

Glad it all worked out.

 

[AshC]

Definitely was not fun - pics of the progress. The whole little spindle yanked out without the UCA off of it, but like you mentioned, it did need to come off to install the new one.
We took the caliper and rotor off to start with just to have more room. Shattered a 13/16th socket with the impact wrench doing so and ended up doing it with a box ended wrench (because apparently I don't have another deep 13/16ths? I swear I did)

I'd definitely suggest pulling the UCA off from the beginning, as even getting it out in pieces was difficult.
We unbolted the UCA and it didn't come off either, like you'd think it would with the weight of the hub? Used a floor jack and a long block of wood to press it up and it finally all came apart rather violently. My bf and I both jumped back when it did slide off.

Crappy part is not having a lift, and getting a good placement on a jack stand where it isn't in your way but is still safe...do able, but...yeah, makes me nervous. Now I just hope and pray I don't have to do the driver side!