Front 4x4 axle service? 2005 1 ton

[Bug Out]

I have looked around to find any info on servicing the front axles bearing just recently. ( My daughters 2x4 1500 ram just lost the wheel, caliper,rotor etc on the road and the DRY spindle bearing reminded me. )



I just read theres no service and to change them out if your getting noise or any loose wheel issues?



Who/where should I START LOOKING? What mileage to be concerned etc? I'm at 91K



I live in phoenix area with a few 4x4 shops in town. Any suggestions would be great.



Thanks in advance



PS: I've read a few posts about changing them over to lockable hubs, but i'm not sure that would solve the problem.

 

[JApol]

Some people on this forum have had luck tearing apart their hubs and greasing them. Each hub assembly is $350-$450. I had both hubs go out in 08. It cost me $1200 to repair.

Lockable hubs will run you from $800 to $1300 depending on the maker. But once you do it it shouldnt cost more than about $100 per side to rebuild.

Most people say they get a milage increase and makes the steering feel better.

 

[Bug Out]

How many miles?

How many miles did you have when they went out and what happened to let you know they were going?

 

[d6c]

Dynatrac kit with their hubs is over 2k.

 

[rbattelle]

I get the feeling you're worried about losing a wheel, and you really want to know how to tell when the bearings need replacement.

I'd suggest a few things. First, if there's an obvious noise that would be a clue. A groaning at highway speeds.

Second, you could check the bearing temperature after a highway drive, although it may be difficult to distinguish between heat soak from the brakes and heat load from the bearing.

Third, you can check for play in the bearings. In light of your location the bearings shouldn't be seized to the knuckles and you should be able to remove them for inspection.

But honestly, I wouldn't be too worried. I think catastrophic bearing failures are uncommon. Seems like most people replace them because they have to destroy the old ones to remove them.

Ryan

 

[Bug Out]

Thanks

I imagine if i take the wheel off the ground and do a "regular" grab the wheel top and bottom and see if it rocks (Slack in the bearing etc)will tell me too?



I wonder where to find out how to re-pack the existing bearings?

 

[rbattelle]

I imagine if i take the wheel off the ground and do a "regular" grab the wheel top and bottom and see if it rocks (Slack in the bearing etc)will tell me too?



I wonder where to find out how to re-pack the existing bearings?

No, if you do this you'll be measuring wear in the ball joints, mostly. A wheel bearing would have to be exceptionally horrible (read: obviously bad) to register with this method. But it might be possible to read wear with the bearing itself securely fastened to a table of known stability.



To re-pack the bearing you'll have to press it apart (I'm not sure how much force it takes to do this, but it can't be more than 30 tons or so - can someone who's done it comment?), clean it, grease it, and press it back together.



It's also possible to add grease through the ABS sensor hole. Simply remove the sensor and squirt in some grease. Just be careful not to pack the bearing completely full of grease.



You won't find a manual for these things. Try searching the forums for things like "grease front bearing".



Ryan

 

[Bug Out]

Grease in the abs sensor hole

I'd be happy just knowing i got some grease in there. Is that possible to do that way?

I wonder if theres a blow up parts pic of the hub showing how its pressed on etc?