So I had this show up at work the other day, apparently there is now a tool for removing the hubs on our trucks if you don't feel like sacrificing an extension. 

12pt 14mm? I just did it this afternoon to put on gen 3 dust shields. This is on a 01 3/4. Used regular sockets, hub was 8 years old, but assembled with anti-seize.

My 01 had no anti-seize, took me 3/4's of a day for each side. Air hammer wouldn't budge and ruined the star bolt heads when tried. So I cut slots with a grinder about an 1/8th away into the bearing hub and drove a chisel in there from opposite sides and it began to open. Once you see it move you know you got it. The slot cut helps hold the chisel so you can get a good swing at it. I actually kinda enjoyed the challenge and gave myself a gold star afterward.

 

I thank Mopar Man for helping with many projects while on the phone with him. I send him money to make up for his time with me... has saved me a lot

I replaced my ball joints a couple years ago and used an extension to remove the hubs.  I reinstalled them with anti seize so hopefully they come off easily when it's time.  

Wow, yikes. After grabbing tools, the second side took about 40 minutes.. leisurely.

 

nickel anti seize was on the 4, 12 point bolts. The splines, and the hub to housing. Removal was easy with no downsides over its lifespan. Highly recommend. The axle nut gave me a bit of trouble though, 1-11/16 torqued tight, used a 3/4 4’ breaker bar. 

 

After reinstall, the ball joints are still giving me slight play, the dana spicers lasted 8 years. Any other brands recommended? Saw some Yukons looked ok.

 

Pics of some of the 3rd gen brakes and shield. Shield, dorman p/n 924-228. Powerstop brake 2003 kit, unless heavy downhill towing, I dont think the slotted and drilled rotors give much performance.

 

I used AC Delco ball joints and still going. Still good.

 

Drilled and slotted tend to crack more often being the slots and drilled holes make it weaker. Best bet is a exhaust brake I go 250k miles on a set of brakes.

@Mopar1973Man Happy friday! Good to know Delcos are a stand up oem alternative!

 

For sure that is a downside for drilled and slots. Also, cannot machine true if warped! I think these arn’t overly aggressive, and the slots can be beneficial as ‘wipers’ on the pads. The power stop kit was fairly good bang for buck and powder coated.

 

In terms of cracks.. Ive seen a set of rotors and pads gone in a weekend of scca. Street tires can be gone in day. Mostly found wear dependent on user and condition. Even with complete ‘spider cracks’ most rotors weren’t replaced till 50%+ of pad width.

 

Not saying I recommend it though, especially towing with a rig. 

 

 

55 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Best bet is a exhaust brake I go 250k miles on a set of brakes.

 What do you expect from me?

 

I built everything on Beast for longevity. This is why ball joint issues are not present. Brakes last long time because with the exhaust brake i rarely use my brake pedal. 445k miles and still rolling. Even today in Everett, WA. Heck I just did the trip to Cally with @IBMobile and @JAG1.