2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front wheel bearing symptoms

[JCyrbok]

hey guys what are some of the symptoms of a front wheel bearing starting to go out? I was on a long trip this past week and I dont know if the sound that I am hearing (hard to explain but starts at about 20mph and is gona by 35mph, kinda sounds like tire noise). Not sure how long the sound has been going on, i usually have my radio up pretty good, but the kids and wife were with me on this trip so it was substaintially lower. Other than the noise there is nothing else out of place (no buring smell, no vibration etc).



What are the tests (if any) for bearings? Truck is the one in the signature and has just short of 90k on original bearing.



Thanks in advance

J-

 

[bmoeller]

Only real way is to jack that wheel up off of the floor and see what wiggles when you shake it up and down, or side to side.

 

[JFought]

when mine whent the truck jumped sideways at 65mph ( i thought i had a blow out) pulled over couldn't find anything. Then about 3 miles latter i hear a lound pitch/grinding noise.

 

[kenny61]

mine made a rumble only while accelerating and turning left at the same time, Weird. No other driving manuvers caused the rumble

 

[kscheffler]

Had a mechanic tell me the other day that he can repack the bearings in my 01 4WD? I thought you had to buy a whole new hub assembly. Can you repack the bearings in an 01?

 

[TBartlett1]

There are 2 ways to check for bad wheel bearings.



1st, while driving find a road with little to no traffic and make the vehicle swerve left and right this procedure will load and unload the front wheel bearings.

Repeat this several times while listening for noise that changes such as a buzzing or grinding which comes and goes or changes intensity. If noise is heard try to determine which side it comes from. This can sometimes be a crap shoot as the noise can sometimes be hard to pin down.



2nd way is to jack the wheel up and wiggle the tire L&R then grasp the bottom of the tire and push and pull it in & out. You should feel no bearing looseness.

This is not to be confused with worn steering or suspension components.



It should be known that a bearing that makes noise is not always loose.

Also I have seen on 1 occasion where a loose bearing (on a car) was not bad.

This trouble shooting is for unit bearings only.



Old 1st gen style bearings (BEST) with adjustable tapered rollers may be slightly loose but OK.



Hope this helps

Tim

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

The hub and rim will also get extremely hot. If you hear the noise, and suspect that's what it is, check the rim and hub for heat. It will be so hot, you won't be able to touch it, at least mine was.

 

[Dave M]

Had a mechanic tell me the other day that he can repack the bearings in my 01 4WD? I thought you had to buy a whole new hub assembly. Can you repack the bearings in an 01?

If it's a unitized hub I don't see how you can re-pack the bearings without adding a zerk to the hub.

 

[DPrew]

When the hub runs out of grease all hell breaks lose. Dynatrac took apart a OEM hub and found plastic parts that support the bearings. In a very short span you go from no problems to an over heated hub and melted plastic parts. My hub went out at 145K and I went to Dynatrac at 180K.

 

[bromano676]

where can I get the dynatrac?
at any auto parts store?

 

[LBARTLETT]

what options are out there besides dynatrac, I don't want to spend $2,000??

 

[InfernoB]

The hub and rim will also get extremely hot. If you hear the noise, and suspect that's what it is, check the rim and hub for heat. It will be so hot, you won't be able to touch it, at least mine was.

If you feel the urge to touch something really hot(don't recommend unless your hands are seasoned working hands)..... Use the back of your hand.

 

[widewheel]

There are 2 ways to check for bad wheel bearings.



1st, while driving find a road with little to no traffic and make the vehicle swerve left and right this procedure will load and unload the front wheel bearings.

Repeat this several times while listening for noise that changes such as a buzzing or grinding which comes and goes or changes intensity. If noise is heard try to determine which side it comes from. This can sometimes be a crap shoot as the noise can sometimes be hard to pin down.



2nd way is to jack the wheel up and wiggle the tire L&R then grasp the bottom of the tire and push and pull it in & out. You should feel no bearing looseness.

This is not to be confused with worn steering or suspension components.



It should be known that a bearing that makes noise is not always loose.

Also I have seen on 1 occasion where a loose bearing (on a car) was not bad.

This trouble shooting is for unit bearings only.



Old 1st gen style bearings (BEST) with adjustable tapered rollers may be slightly loose but OK.



Hope this helps

Tim

Tim is absolutely rignt. I had my right front go out two summers ago and noticed it because it only made noise when I made a turn.

 

[mstephenson]

So it's about noise? I have a vibration only. When the tire is lifted it moves side to side. Also, finding the torx socket to fit those four bolts is a pain in the ars. I was told to use a 12-star 9/16 socket, but hesitate in case it strips.

 

[PCoggins]

I had a "knobby tire" type of noise this week after a 650 mile haul of my travel trailer to Canada. It was a pulsing noise at about 15 - 20 MPH and again at 45 - 50 MPH. Hubs were not hot and it was hard to pinpoint the source of noise. Thought it might be a wheel bearing or a transmission problem. Since I was looking forward to a 650 mile return trip I took it to a local dodge dealer to check it out. Turned out the front differential pinion bearings were tearing themseves apart. Lots of metal on the magnet.



Anyway, it is fixed and I have to give a bug thanks to Maclang Dodge in Sundbridge, ON. They went beyond the call of duty to fiind the parts and fix the diff in 2 days, after dodge told them that the bearings were 5 days backordered.

 

[snuff]

see this thread. and the others with it that are linked... ... .



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/3rd-generation-ram-forum-no-engine-transmission-discussions/213270-front-wheel-bearing-again.html



only had a slight whine to it like the brake tab touching, the driveline guy kept saying it was my brakes because there was no play when he grabbed the wheel, and guess what due to the info and questions i found and asked, hubs replaced and no more whine and oh by the way i had already replace the front pads two wks prior to the hubs..... sorry for the bit of sarcasum