04 dodge ram 1500 wheel bearing replacement
 

So I was attempting to help a friend replace a wheel bearing on his 04 dodge ram 1500 4x4. I was following this instructional video in doing it.


the part we had a difficult time with was right at 4:00 he is trying to seperate the axle from the hub so that he can gain access to the 3 bolts holding the bearing on the hub. For the life of me I was not able to back the axle off like he does in this video. I tried and tried and it would slide on the shaft but it would not slide off all the way. I was using basic hand tools to do this.

does anybody have any insight on how to do this step and if it is not necessary can you give me some pointerson how to get it off? I can torque it and reinstall but I just can't gain access to the 3 bolts on the back side! Please help! I am only used to working on my cherokee, but my buddy would be pissed knowing that my xj friends helped fix his "superior truck" lol

Did you have the nut on the threads when you were hammering on the axle? Is the end of the axle shaft mushroomed?
You can try a gear puller as shown to push the axle through the hub:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f670464895.jpg

I've had problems using three jaw puller like that I broke one of the arms off. I've had luck with the fwd axle puller still had to use heat just to remove the shaft.

I did have the nut off. I will rent a puller like you featured. Will that axle only pop off the shaft if it backs out of the hub?

Yup the shaft only goes back, you shouldn't even have to knock it in, you should be able to get get those bolts without removing the axle shaft. Not as easy but it's possible.

Looking at it, I imagine I would have needed some shallow sockets and U-joints. Of course I am working at a friends house and he has minimal tools. But it is going to be warmer out so we may do the work over at my place this weekend. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for the help