Trying to turn differential wheel to remove axle shaft

[Idledrummer]

Hello everyone,

I removed the rear differential cover to remore axle shaft. I am trying to turn the wheel to get a better working angle. Turning the wheels is not doing anything. What do I need to do to turn it another 30 degrees?

 

[crazykid1994]

Need to turn the drive shaft. Are you 2wd or 4wd? Either way you can put the trans in neutral and turn the drive shaft. Make sure your front wheels are chalked.

 

[Idledrummer]

i am 4wd. Tried to put the gear in neultralight, but didn’t help. I have a neutral button, but doesn’t seem to be doing anything. I guess I am not knowing how to do it. Front wheels are on the ground.

 

[18CrewDually]

Put the TRANSMISSION in NEUTRAL

 

[Idledrummer]

I don’t know how. Trying to find instructions.

 

[crash68]

Trying to find instructions.

stuck in neutral

Drove my truck about 20 miles, parked for a few minutes, got back in and it wouldn't shift out of neutral. The neutral button below the 4wd was solid red and wouldn't let me go in reverse, drive, etc. Couldn't shift into any of the 4wd options. After failing to go into gear, would hear chatter...

www.ramforum.com

 

[crazykid1994]

I don’t know how. Trying to find instructions.

Put the key in. Turn the truck on. Foot on brake. Shift to neutral.

 

[crash68]

Put the key in. Turn the truck on. Foot on brake. Shift to neutral.

If the truck has a part-time transfer case and the front wheels are on the ground(he stated truck is in 4WD), putting the transmission in neutral won't help any.

 

[crazykid1994]

If the truck has a part-time transfer case and the front wheels are on the ground(he stated truck is in 4WD), putting the transmission in neutral won't help any.

He said it is 4wd. He needs to make sure it stays in 2wd mode yes. Otherwise it won’t allow the rear to free spin. You are correct.

 

[Idledrummer]

Thank you everyone. I had to put the transfer case in neutral also, manual didn’t teach, turned car on, brake pedal, transmission in neautral, held the neautral button for several seconds until light came on. Turned car off, put transmission back in park. Sorry I never done this before.
good news, got everything out, including bearing, bad news, broke the 3 bolts that holds the backplate. If I can’t remove the broken piece, might have to replace the whole brake bracket.

 

[Idledrummer]

Does anyone know what part is the one with the two holes to attach the caliper bracket? Also trying to find the 3 bolts that holds the backing plate, but no luck.

 

[jr27236]

Does anyone know what part is the one with the two holes to attach the caliper bracket? Also trying to find the 3 bolts that holds the backing plate, but no luck.

Why did you take the backing plate off in the first place? That was not necessary to remove the axle seal and bearing.

 

[jr27236]

Anyhow you can take weld a nut onto the broken bolt and turn it out. Usually the heat from the weld will be enough to get it loose

 

[jr27236]

Also there is a transmission disconnect lever behind the panel above your emergency brake release lever

Emergency Transmission Release 2013 - 2018 RAM 1500

In this video we show how to engage the Emergency Transmission Release on a 2009 to 2018 RAM 1500 pickup truck. This video shows where the hidden transmissi...

youtu.be

 

[Idledrummer]

Why did you take the backing plate off in the first place? That was not necessary to remove the axle seal and bearing.

Hi, so the job is to replace the backing plate, and all brake hardware, but once I learned I had to remove the axle, decided to do bearings and seal as well. Thank!

 

[Idledrummer]

Anyhow you can take weld a nut onto the broken bolt and turn it out. Usually the heat from the weld will be enough to get it loose

Cool, I will try that. Do you know the replacement bolt For this? Can’t seem to find out.

 

[18CrewDually]

Does anyone know what part is the one with the two holes to attach the caliper bracket? Also trying to find the 3 bolts that holds the backing plate, but no luck.

Rear Caliper Bracket. You can get the assembly with backing plate. Aftermarket is also available.

 

[jr27236]

I don't know the thread size but I'm sure the dealer can look it up by Vin number

 

[Jeepwalker]

Backing plates are often early discontinued items by mfgrs (I don't know if Ram has discontinued them yet) ....so it's a good that you are replacing yours now ..while they're available. The rear L is usually the fist one to rust out ...and therefore the first one to usually go "out of stock" by mfgrs it seems. But if there's aftermarket, that's great.

By the looks of the other bolts, you might want to put an Acetylene Torch Kit on Santa's xmas wish list this fall, he he

 

[62Blazer]

Thank you everyone. I had to put the transfer case in neutral also, manual didn’t teach, turned car on, brake pedal, transmission in neautral, held the neautral button for several seconds until light came on. Turned car off, put transmission back in park. Sorry I never done this before.
good news, got everything out, including bearing, bad news, broke the 3 bolts that holds the backplate. If I can’t remove the broken piece, might have to replace the whole brake bracket.

I think the issue with keeping it in reverse is that you turned it off. Will have to double-check but don't think you have to actually turn the engine on, but just the have the ignition on (accessory position), and have to leave it on. Not 100% sure as it's been a few years since doing a truck exactly like this as my current '16 2500 still has the traditional lever on the column.