4X4 front wheel bearings

[bsesby]

I am dew for front Wheel bearings, U-joints... and probably ball joints.
I am looking at the conversion to ford hubs and can't find any information on this subject on this site. I am not doing really good on money right now...

Ideas, thoughts?

My truck is a 04. 5 and pulls lots... in fact more then 75% of its miles are with trailers I have 33' and sometimes need low range for moving trailers in tight spots.

 

[Mark31]

Dynatrac, EMS, Spyntec, Yukon all make free spin kits. Do a search in this forum and you can read until your eyes cross. Please refrain from using the "F" word when you talk about putting parts on a Dodge!! (yuk,yuk!) Mark

 

[SierraRam]

It will not be cheap either.

 

[AMcCormick]

good upgrade but no it is not cheap. if you do move big trailers often it is very nice to have 2 low. I like the fact that things are not always spinning and I do use 2 low with big trailers. I like the dynatrac with dynalocks because it is the shortest of the bunch

 

[DennyDay]

I am dew for front Wheel bearings, U-joints... and probably ball joints.

I am looking at the conversion to ford hubs and can't find any information on this subject on this site. I am not doing really good on money right now...



Ideas, thoughts?



My truck is a 04. 5 and pulls lots... in fact more then 75% of its miles are with trailers I have 33' and sometimes need low range for moving trailers in high spots.

Take a close look at SpynTec - - when you figure the cost of new bearings, about $700, each side w/labor the $1500. for SpynTec is very reasonable

 

[kohldad]

Take a close look at SpynTec - - when you figure the cost of new bearings, about $700, each side w/labor the $1500. for SpynTec is very reasonable

If one can install the free spin hubs, one can install the one-piece bearings which reduces the above arguement to $200 each side versus the $1,500. While I would like to have 2wd lo, I just can't justify $1,100 for it.



For someone that gets in a lot of water/mud/salt, the replaceable bearings may be worth it, but for someone that does little of that type, just not worth while. At least, that is based on my experience with the one piece units which are on all my vehciles. Currently have 147k on my original bearings and they are still good.



As a kid on a farm, have packed lots of bearings and don't miss it one bit.

 

[DennyDay]

Currently have 147k on my original bearings and they are still good.



As a kid on a farm, have packed lots of bearings and don't miss it one bit.

Alls I can say is you are very, very lucky to get 147k milees out of the OEM bearings - - and by the way packing bearings is a piece of cake compared to removing the OEM bearings!

 

[wcjp]

I didn't see the cost benefit in my situation with free spin hubs. Swapping the factory unit bearings takes about 1hr per side. Check Rockauto.com for your parts. It's possible to buy the OEM stuff from them.

 

[SierraRam]

I didn't see the cost benefit in my situation with free spin hubs. Swapping the factory unit bearings takes about 1hr per side. Check Rockauto.com for your parts. It's possible to buy the OEM stuff from them.

The benefits are long term and really depend on how you use and setup your truck. The is a small milleage gain (. 5-1mpg), if you lift your truck the front drive line will last much longer and you will never have to replace the unit bearings again. If you are running large tires there is no comparison in that the bearing spacing on the free spin kits is much greater, spreading the tire load much better across the hub. Personally I think locking hubs should be standard equipment.

 

[S.Morris]

Ford has locking hubs in its unit bearing set up. Never saw one apart but if they can do it why can't Dodge make them that way too.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Ford has locking hubs in its unit bearing set up. Never saw one apart but if they can do it why can't Dodge make them that way too.

... because it will most likely be way out of warranty before the bearing gives it up. Then the dealer can sell you parts AND bend you over the tailgate on labor. It's cheaper for Dodge to get the axles that way from AAM, or previously, Dana, the majority of the market is "satisfaction-now" buyers, meaning they want 4x4 when they pull the lever, no conditions allowed, no time to wait or work for it to engage, no reason to get out in the cold or hot and engage the hubs. Ford still recognizes the small segment of the market that wants features that make the truck run more than 100k miles, and accomodates them... . somewhat.



I went to free spin kits on my newer work trucks, as I got tired of breaking CAD connectors, broken axle shafts, broken vacuum lines, and bearings giving it up at the worst possible time. Since then, I've only had a small issue with my Dynatrac's, involving a snapring, but that was an easy fix without having to take the whole wheel off. I considered myself very lucky to get 100k out of a pair of unitized bearings. The old '91 and '93 are running on the original bearings, but I've put several sets in all my 2nd gen trucks, and finally needed some in my '03. The '06s and '07s haven't gotten to that mileage yet, but I'm anticipating.



FWIW, the Spyntec/Solid Axle kits are really nice. The seals are recessed, as well as the ABS sensors, protecting them from brush and heavy mud. Those guys are pretty good to deal with, too. Dynatrac's are good kits, too. Also don't overlooked the Yukon gear set, if you decide to go that route. I don't necessarily think they're priced very well, but they're made well.

 

[Regcabguy]

Ford has locking hubs in its unit bearing set up. Never saw one apart but if they can do it why can't Dodge make them that way too.

Dynatrac told me they came out with a true free spin kit for the Ford's after hearing complaints from the guys who really use them offroad w/big tires. By power braking they've destroyed the front shafts in their facility.

 

[wcjp]

... the majority of the market is "satisfaction-now" buyers, meaning they want 4x4 when they pull the lever, no conditions allowed, no time to wait or work for it to engage, no reason to get out in the cold or hot and engage the hubs.

Blame Ralph Nader. He only looks at the first 100k miles and maintenance cost to get there. Bearings will last longer but require more service to get there. I think it's the Ford 6. 4l diesel that has an exhaust system requiring replacement at 120k miles at $3000. If an unloaded stock truck can get to 100k with unit bearings problem solved.

 

[rscurtis]

What does Ralph Nader have to do with wheel bearings?

 

[leaky gasket]

Ralph Nader says that Dodge truck wheelbearings are unsafe at any speed.

 

[rscurtis]

Great answer!

 

[JonWilson]

I take it those who want the Fxxd style front bearings and hubs on their Dodge's have never had the Newer ford units apart they use a combination of vacuum and manual twisting hubs to make everything work and are expensive just for the seals for the darn things. we just need what the old 3/4 and one ton trucks had 20 years ago and we would be fine.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I take it those who want the Fxxd style front bearings and hubs on their Dodge's have never had the Newer ford units apart they use a combination of vacuum and manual twisting hubs to make everything work and are expensive just for the seals for the darn things. we just need what the old 3/4 and one ton trucks had 20 years ago and we would be fine.

Huh?!? I think the hubs you're talking about are the lighter 3/4 semi-automatic hubs..... They still make the heavy locking hubs on the big boys. I just put a set of brakes on one yesterday morning.