Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Front Hub, how to replace?

[JohnMcCarthy]

My 2000 is humming from the right front. Had it diagnosed as a bad hub assembly. Seems this is a complete assembly only available from the dealer with bearings ABS pigtail and hub. What a pain in the $$#&@#ssss! :-{} .

I bought the hub assembly and thought I would reference my Haynes manual to replace, but there is no procedure for the 2000 and up models. Seems that it should come off easy enough and one nut holds it on the spindle. Tried to get it loose with a breaker bar, no luck! What is the torque, and does anyone know if this is a right or left hand thread? Any instructions would be helpful at this point! Thanks! :{

 

[DFerverda]

Hey John

I dont Know about the 2000 but when my 98. 5 4x4 went out I called Advance Auto and they had a complete hub assembly for under 200 . It was just what the doctor ordered. My stock one had Plastic keepers on the bearings,The new one had timkin bearings,Real nice and went right together. Hope this helps

Dirk

 

[JohnMcCarthy]

Dodge changed the front hub on the 2000 and up to be a total sealed unit available from the dealer only. The bearings are not field replacable. Wish they were!

 

[jerrethomas]

if you have to replace the front hub you are in for a treat. Take the big nut off, it can be on there pretty tight. Then look in the back of the hub, there are 4 bolts that must come out in order to get the hub out. Don't try to put a puller on it, it will just separate the bearing. You will prolly have to get a big hammer and a chisel and drive it between the hub assm. and the axle housing. An air chisel worked for me. It can be very time consuming, and sometimes they come out easy. hope this helps some.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Quad 4x4 has the hub assemblies. Damn those things aren't cheap!



As for the axle nut, I do believe that you need to use a long cheater bar. I'm not sure if they are RH of LH threads.

 

[jerrethomas]

As for the axle nut, I do believe that you need to use a long cheater bar. I'm not sure if they are RH of LH threads.

I do believe they are RH thread.

 

[Makensmoke]

Yes RH thread on my 00. Yes a big BI to get mine off. Cut ball joints with a torch, put assembly in press and BANG it split. Spent way more paying someone to do this than parts were worth. (I was going after axle joints... and gave up after I hit my fender with a 3lb hammer when swinging for the hub assembly) Hope like heck your hub has been correctly diagnosed. But i've been thru several in cars and they have a deffinate hum when they start going out. Good luck.

 

[TPopp]

http://webepc.com/cgi-bin/sewse?/u/www/webepc.com/cmm/scripts/epc12.cmm+discap2



www.discountautoparts.com



Decent prices compared to the $1100 a friend paid for his new unit bearings.

 

[JohnMcCarthy]

Went ahead and bought the hub from the dealer about $260. 00, and paid a mechanic $60. 00 to replace. The darn nut was torqued to tight for me to remove it!!!! Still made out better that having a garage do the whole job for around $600. 00. Definately is nice and quiet now! Just hear the turbo thru the BHAF! :-laf I guess I will need to takle the ball joints next! Either way it being a 2WD I have it a lot easier then you 4x4 folks! Thanks for the feedback!