adding a grease fitting on front wheel bearings

[The patriot]

I'm pretty sure someone here did this a while back.
The price of bearing assemblies is up there, especially if you go for a name brand. As far as getting american made.....aint happening Moe.
I still dont trust the Chinese, but I'd feel better if there was a grease zerk on the bearing.
Does anyone have pics of this? Drawings? Words of wisdom?
TIA

 

[BillBaker]

It appears a lot of guys add there own. Correct placement I'm not sure what/where is correct. If you google "dodge ram-zerk fitting-front wheel bearings" and click images you'll see pictures of the different placement areas guys put them. It appears the pictures are from dodge forum members also. Good question, I'm curious about this myself for the near future when I'll be changing mine to some Timkens.

 

[JR]

If you don't have front abs (I don't think that was an option in 98?) It is a real project. Being you have pressed on rotors you will either have to remove them every time you want to grease your bearings - which includes removing hub/rotor assy and pressing studs out to remove the rotor to gain access to the grease fitting, or you will have to drill a hole through the spindle large enough to shove a grease gun through from the back side. I personally wouldn't be comfortable with drilling through the spindle but I've seen some that have.

 

[The patriot]

My truck has 4 wheel ABS, so I guess for once I'm in luck.:-laf

I sold my Clausing a while back, and dont feel comfortable doing it with a hand drill.
I'd just bring it to a local shop to have it drilled & tapped.
Just want to see where people drill it, so there arent no mistakes.
TIA

 

[The patriot]

Googled this one up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJDc5FVFOYU

I don't approve of the way these guys pack wheel bearings, but it's a great insight to what they're assembled like.

 

[BCS]

Has anyone made an upgrade kit? Is there a year with an upgrade design that will fit? Any consensus on the best stock bearings?

 

[JR]

Patriot, If you've got front abs you don't really need to go through the hassle of drilling And tapping for a grease port on the top flange (where the abs sensor is). You can remove the sensor and grease through the hole with a needle.

 

[GReed]

When I greased mine, I used a rubber conical blow gun end. About 30 pumps of grease. Give a few pumps and turn the hub. A good website for info on this is www.courtsara.com.

 

[The patriot]

Has anyone made an upgrade kit? Is there a year with an upgrade design that will fit? Any consensus on the best stock bearings?

As far as I know, nobody really does this. If you plan on doing this regular as part of your PM, get the hubs for the 4 wheel ABS model.
You can spend as much as almost $300/ea for these at the dealer.(assuming you can find them)
I got them off fleabay for under 60 ea delivered. They seem OK, and come with new studs. I'd prefer Timken, or SKF, but I'm not going $400 on 2 of these so.....
I gave the new ones another dozen or so pumps. I dont plan on doing this every year, I only drive 5K yr anymore.
I didn't know the rotors were pressed on. I hope the air impact will pull them up when I'm putting the tire on. I don't have a press.