Front Axle Removal on a 2005 Dodge Ram

A Dodge Ram with four-wheel drive uses a front axle assembly in addition to the rear axle. This axle connects to the front wheels through the drive axles. You must remove both drive axles to remove the axle assembly, which essentially involves disassembling the front suspension. The process can vary depending on the exact type of suspension your Dodge Ram uses. It helps to talk with your mechanic beforehand.

Instructions

Drive Axles

1

Raise the truck's front end with your floor jack and support it on jack stands placed under the frame rails. Remove the front wheels.

2

Unbolt and remove the brake calipers from the brake discs with your wrench, tying them to the coil spring or a similar location with a strong wire. Slide off the brake discs, then disconnect the antilock brake sensor.

3

Remove the drive axle nut with your ratchet or breaker bar, inserting a prybar between the wheel studs to keep the hub from turning.

4

Raise your floor jack under the lower control arm to take the weight of the coil spring off the upper arm.

5

Loosen the upper balljoint's nut with your wrench, then connect a balljoint removal tool to the nut and separate the joint and control arm from the steering knuckle.

6

Pry out the inner CV joint from the front differential using the prybar and the suspend the drive axle with a wire. Pull the steering knuckle from the outer CV joint, then pull out the hub/knuckle assembly, remove the wire and guide out the drive axle.

7

Repeat the steps for the drive axle on the other side.

Front Axle

8

Unbolt and remove the crossmember with your wrench.

9

Remove the bolts and disconnect the driveshaft from the differential's flange and support the shaft with a rope or wire. Raise another jack under the differential to support the axle assembly.

10

Remove the two mounting bolts at the top of the differential housing and the remaining bolts for the axle assembly.

11

Lower the floor jack and remove the front axle assembly.