drivetrain

CV Axles - Front Pair

for 2014 Ram 2500 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel · 4WD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.9 h

Tools

Steps

Complete replacement of both front CV axle shafts on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins Diesel and 4WD, including removal of axle nuts, ball joint separation, and differential disconnection.

Warnings

⚠️Vehicle must be properly supported on jack stands rated for its weight. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

⚠Axle nuts are torqued to 184 lb-ft and may require significant force to break loose. Loosen while vehicle is on ground with wheels installed.

⚠Ball joint separators can release suddenly under load. Keep hands and face clear of the tool when applying force.

ℹ️Front differential gear oil will drain when axles are removed. Have drain pan ready and plan to refill.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack stands rated for 3+ tonsEssential

Breaker bar and socket set (metric)Essential

36mm or 1-7/16" socket for axle nutEssential

Torque wrench (50-300 lb-ft range)Essential

Ball joint separator or pickle forkEssential

Pry bar or large flat screwdriverEssential

Drain pan (2+ quart capacity)Essential

Wire brush

Hammer (dead blow or brass)

Needle nose pliers for cotter pinsEssential

Fluid pump for gear oil

Punch and hammer for staking nut (if applicable)

Parts

Front CV axle shaft - driver side × 1 — Use OEM specification for AAM 9.25 front axle
Front CV axle shaft - passenger side × 1 — Use OEM specification for AAM 9.25 front axle
Axle nut cotter pins or staking nuts × 2 — M30 size, verify retention method
Differential cover gasket × 1 — AAM 9.25 front differential
RTV gasket maker (if gasket not used) × 1 — Mopar or equivalent

Fluids

75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil — 1.5 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
Chock rear wheels securely
Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
Break loose both front axle nuts using breaker bar and 36mm socket while vehicle is on ground and brakes applied (remove cotter pins first)
Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under frame rails
Remove front wheels completely
Place drain pan under front differential

Procedure

1
Remove axle nut and prepare hub
Fully remove the previously loosened axle nut from both sides. Remove and discard the cotter pin or unstake the nut as applicable. Clean the axle threads with a wire brush to ensure new nut will thread properly.
2
Separate upper ball joint from knuckle
Locate the upper ball joint nut connecting the upper control arm to the steering knuckle. Remove the cotter pin if present. Remove the ball joint nut completely. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the upper ball joint taper from the knuckle. You may need to strike the separator with a hammer to break the taper free. Allow the knuckle assembly to swing downward.
⚠Ball joint may separate suddenly. Support the knuckle or allow it to hang from the lower control arm and brake hose.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
3
Disconnect CV axle from differential - driver side
Locate the six CV bolts connecting the inner CV joint to the front differential flange on the driver side. These are accessible from behind the wheel well. Remove all six bolts. Pull the axle shaft away from the differential. Gear oil will begin draining from the differential at this point. Support the inner CV joint to prevent damage to the boot.
Torque spec
CV Bolts82 Nm (61 lb-ft)
4
Remove driver side CV axle assembly
With the ball joint separated and inner CV disconnected, pull the knuckle outward while simultaneously pulling the outer CV stub shaft out of the hub bearing. The entire axle assembly can now be removed. You may need to tap the stub shaft from behind with a brass hammer if it is stuck in the hub bearing. Set the old axle aside.
5
Disconnect CV axle from differential - passenger side
Repeat the process for the passenger side. Remove the six CV bolts connecting the inner CV joint to the differential flange. Allow additional gear oil to drain into the pan. Pull the axle away from the differential and support it to prevent boot damage.
Torque spec
CV Bolts82 Nm (61 lb-ft)
6
Remove passenger side CV axle assembly
Pull the passenger side knuckle outward and extract the outer CV stub shaft from the hub bearing, removing the entire axle assembly. Inspect the hub bearing splines for wear or damage. Clean any debris from the hub bore and differential flanges with a wire brush.
7
Inspect and prepare for installation
Inspect both hub bearings for roughness by rotating the hub by hand. Check differential output flanges for damage. Clean all mating surfaces on the differential flanges. Verify new CV axles match the original length and spline count. Apply a thin coat of gear oil to the hub bearing splines to ease installation.
8
Install new passenger side CV axle
Align the new passenger side CV axle outer stub shaft with the hub bearing and push it through the hub until it is fully seated. Swing the knuckle into position. Align the inner CV joint with the differential flange, ensuring the bolt holes line up. Install all six CV bolts finger tight, then torque in a crisscross pattern.
ℹ️Ensure CV boot is not twisted or pinched during installation.
Torque spec
CV Bolts82 Nm (61 lb-ft)
9
Install new driver side CV axle
Repeat the installation process for the driver side. Insert the outer stub shaft through the hub bearing until fully seated. Align the inner CV joint with the differential flange and install all six CV bolts. Torque bolts in a crisscross pattern to specification.
Torque spec
CV Bolts82 Nm (61 lb-ft)
10
Reconnect upper ball joints
On both sides, lift the knuckle upward and align the upper ball joint stud with the hole in the knuckle. Install the ball joint nut and torque to specification. Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure, or use the appropriate locking method per manufacturer specification.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
11
Install and torque axle nuts
Install new axle nuts on both sides and thread them by hand as far as possible. Use a torque wrench to torque both axle nuts to specification. Install new cotter pins through the castle nut slots and bend to secure, or stake the nut if that is the retention method used on this vehicle.
⚠Do not reuse old cotter pins. Always use new hardware for axle nut retention.
Torque spec
Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
12
Refill front differential
Locate the front differential fill plug on the side of the differential housing. Remove the fill plug. Using a fluid pump, add 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil until it begins to drip from the fill hole (approximately 1.5 quarts). Reinstall the fill plug and tighten securely.
13
Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
Install both front wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Verify all fasteners have been torqued to specification and all cotter pins are installed
Check for any gear oil leaks around the differential and CV joints
Dispose of old gear oil and CV axles according to local regulations

Verification

Start the engine and verify no unusual noises from the front axle area
Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and listen for CV joint clicking or binding
Test drive the vehicle at low speed, making turns in both directions to verify smooth CV joint operation
Check for vibration during acceleration that would indicate improper axle installation
Re-check front differential fluid level after test drive to ensure proper fill
Inspect for any gear oil leaks around the CV bolt flanges and differential fill plug