Greg:
How many miles on your Charger? If it were mine, I'd replace the half shaft, and have a wheel bearing on hand when you do the R and R. You can assess the bearing as you are removing the shaft, and replace it or not as your findings dictate.

Don

 

Well, the job went from bad to worse. Broke off two bolts that hold the hub to the knuckle. So, the whole thing has to come out fir a trip to the machine shop. Why doesn't this happen on YouTube videos?

 

Greg:
Were you going to remove the shaft first, and then evaluate from there? I don't think the hub has to come out to change the shaft if you disconnect a ball joint so you can swing the knuckle to the side?

Don

 

At this point, the knuckle assembly is already out. I'm replacing the hub and the shaft. I had to get the scissors type ball joint tool to separate everything. Wacking the knuckle with a hammer didn't get them loose. It never goes like the videos...

 

AFAIK There are no threads in the knuckle. Just the Hub. To me looks like you tried heating up the bolts on the wrong side. In theory, you should be able to press the hub off vs drilling out the bolts.

 

You are partially correct. There are no threads in the knuckle, just the hub. Problem is when the top of the bolt holding the hub to the knuckle breaks off, the bevel in the bolt still holds it in place. It has to be drilled out. Those bolts cost $16 each at the Mopar dealer. I tried to weld a nut onto the top to get them out. No luck, and yes, I DID heat the threaded bottom part until it was cherry red.

 

You are partially correct. There are no threads in the knuckle, just the hub. Problem is when the top of the bolt holding the hub to the knuckle breaks off, the bevel in the bolt still holds it in place. It has to be drilled out. Those bolts cost $16 each at the Mopar dealer. I tried to weld a nut onto the top to get them out. No luck, and yes, I DID heat the threaded bottom part until it was cherry red.

 

FCA engneering had an engineer that worked for Volkswagen and stole the concept of lug bolts.

 

Dropped the knuckle and hub assembly off at my local wrench. He got them separated last night. I'll pick it up today. What a PITA.

 

Let me give credit where it's due. I fought that dang CV axle on the passengers side for four days. Pry bars were a waste of time. Couldn't get it. You Tube videos were NO help except ONE. Here's the guy that saved my sanity. SPOILER ALERT. It WORKED on the first wack.