Remove front axle from differential on 2003 dodge ram

That works fine on a relatively new vehicle but one that has run in salt etc you'll save a lot of time if you remove the steering knuckle completey by separating lower ball joint and outer tie rod end ball joint and bring the whole steering knuckle to a bench to separate the hub/bearing. Soak everything with penetrant, loosen the bolts a few turns and try hitting right on the bolt heads. I also made a very sharp wedge from a chisel and rammed it hard on the other side to seoarate the hub. It will finally come apart then you'll see all the **** that was binding it due to an alumininum knuckle re-acting with a steel hub. Clean the hole and grease everything and fit new bearings

REMOVAL

1. Loosen lug nuts and hub nut while the with the vehicle brakes applied.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove wheel and tire assembly
4. Remove half shaft hub nut.
5. Remove brake caliper and rotor.
6. Position hydraulic jack under lower suspension arm and raise jack to unload rebound bumper.
7. Remove lower shock absorber bolt.
8. Remove upper ball joint nut and seperate ball with Remover 8677 (UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION).
9. Disengage inner C/V joint from the axle shaft snap-ring by apply pressure with two pry bars between the C/V housing and axle housing.
10. Tilt the knuckle out and push the half shaft out of the knuckle (STEERING KNUCKLE). CAUTION: Do not damage outer C/V threads while removing half shaft.
    
11. Remove the half shaft from the vehicle.

Do you have to remove the whole hub if lower ball joint is attached to the steering nuckle and not the a shaft