2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front wheel bearing life span ?

[Houser]

Hi turbo diesel dudes

I am in the process of changing out my U joints and front Axle joints and am wondering if I should replace the front bearings and hubs while Im at it. The truck has 70K on it and the bearings seem fine but I dont know what the usual service life is on the front non servicable bearings and dont want to wait for them to fail before replacing them. Any one got a rough idea how long the front wheel bearings usually last. And also, what is the magic trick to getting those front hubs pulled. Mine are rusted in tight. Issue 40 goes through the procedure for replacing a hub and rotor assembly but kinda glasses over the part about actually pulling the hubs.



Thanks

Mike

Palmer Ak.

 

[Diesel Dick]

I am on my second set. I have been getting 100K out each set, pule the originals. This set will take me to 300K on the truck. On the 98. 5 you have to buy them from Dodge hub & rotor, as a set. $550. 00 each side.

 

[DLausche]

I am curious as well to find out what the expected mileage is from a hub assembly. IMO, their life is cut way short by having to beat them to death when removing them from the knuckles. I have had to do one so far and it was most certainly dead after I suceeded in getting it off.



I think if you can get them off without destroying them or hammering on them then they should have a far amount of life left in them. 70K is not that much, IMO.



I used a porta-power to push the loosened bolts from the back side. Others have had luck using a socket and extension against the steering stop or axle housing and using the power steering to aid in poping them loose. Apply PB Blaster several times and let soak and then tap and heat cycle the joint a few times (moderate, not high heat). This will aid the PB to soak into the joint.



Use generous portions of anti-sieze when reassembling the hubs to the knuckles!



-Deon

 

[Houser]

Good Advice so far

Deon

The using the power steering to help push the assembly out sounds like the best idea so far. Ill try it.



Thanks

Mike

 

[moparguy]

On bearing life, I'm at 180k and all is good. Well, with the bearings anyway, I'm gonna install a u-joint soon and will likely change out the ball joints for adjustables at the same time.



RR

 

[EBottema]

Typical life on automotive sealed wheel bearings are 100k miles. You could go more but no more than 200k i would say.

 

[moparguy]

So has anyone found a source for our 4x4 front sealed bearings besides the dealer?



I've read where a few members have pressed the originals apart, cleaned, greased and pressed them back together. Wonder how that's working.



RR

 

[RDHamill]

I got 100,000 miles out of one ( OE ), then modified them with a grease fitting. One now has over 250,000 on it, the other has 150,000.

I'm certain that with a bit of grease they'll last almost forever.

 

[moparguy]

RD, that's interesting. Since I haven't pulled mine down, can't really visualize your mod. But I'd sure like to hear about it.



Thanks, RR

 

[MLeppen]

So has anyone found a source for our 4x4 front sealed bearings besides the dealer?

RR

I picked up a set from www.quad4x4.com (TDR advertisers) it came with studs, anti-sieze ,loctite, even a video ( didn't watch) Timken bearing assembly.

 

[RDHamill]

Moparguy: send me a PM and I'll forward the instruction sheet that I made up, it's quite easy, and if you have the front end apart, now's the time.



thanks

Rick

 

[SMorneau]

You should replace entire hub and bearing assemblies immediately and then send the old ones to me because I have almost 300k on mine and I need your old ones to go another 200k.

 

[DLausche]

Moparguy: send me a PM and I'll forward the instruction sheet that I made up, it's quite easy, and if you have the front end apart, now's the time.



thanks

Rick

I am interested as well. Could the instructions be attached here?



-Deon

 

[RDHamill]

I'll try



Greaseable Front Hubs

2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 2500



Remove wheel, brake caliper, and brake rotor.

Remove ABS Brake sensor retaining bolt (don’t attempt to twist or remove ABS sensor unless it’s being replaced, it could easily break…trust me, I know)



The threaded portion of the hub that this bolt just came out of is shallow, with a small ( smaller than the thread size so we don’t damage the threads ( I used 1/8”) drill bit, covered in grease ( to capture the shavings) I drill down this hole until just breaking threw to the cavity between the inner and outer bearing. Do not put much pressure on the drill so when it breaks threw it won’t go deep into the cavity and carry filings with it. Also, note that the tone wheel for the ABS is also in this cavity, we don’t want to damage it.



Replace the ABS sensor retaining bolt with the new bolt modified as follows:



Using a new bolt the same thread but about ½" longer than the factory bolt (about 1 ¼” long, you can trim it when you install it if need be), drill a very small hole directly thru the bolt from the head down. I used a drill press and center punch for this as it is more accurate.

With the bolt drilled, I Mig welded ( could be brazed or wire feed as well) a nut on the head of the bolt, into the nut I screwed a grease fitting, then I put the bolt back into the hub and with the use of a nut ( as a jam nut) I tighten the ABS sensor in place. Now you have a way to grease the bearings.



I have been greasing the bearings about once a year now for about 5 years; both are fine, the truck has 415000kms on it (257,000 miles).



I have done this same thing to 2 other trucks, both have high mileage; neither has ever had a front bearing replaced.



Please PM me if you have any questions, I’m certain anyone could do this, but you will require a drill press and some sort of welder, a hand drill is fine if the hub is on the truck, drill press is great if hubs are off the truck. The drilling and welding can be done without the truck being out of service for very long.



Good luck