2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front wheel bearings

[monkfarm]

How often should I be repacking those front wheel bearings? I didn't see it in the maintenance section of the dodge manual, but I bet I should be doing it pretty dang soon. Anyone with any opinions on this topic?

 

[Scrappy]

Ya' can't repack them, In Dodge's infinite wisdom, they made them a sealed unit that cannot be repacked. That is why they are not mentioned in the maintenance schedule. Unless they are puking grease they are fine, if they are then get ready to spend $400+/- for the bearing assembly

 

[illflem]

Only the 4wd drive bearings are sealed, on 2wds the manual rcommended service is every 48k

 

[Scrappy]

wheelbearings

Yup you're right, I didn't see the 6x4 part until after

 

[B.G. Smith]

Bearings

Probably need to look at them, somtimes they don't get much lube on new assembly. bg

 

[BillGotthelf]

On my 2wd's I repack them every time I change pads (20,000-27,000 miles). I was able to have a machine shop press out the bearings on my 96 4 x 4. They were able to save the seals. The bearings needed grease. We regreased them with synthetic grease and repressed bearings and seals. They charged me $40 for both sides. Alot cheaper than the stealers $400 per side.

 

[HGDMARTN]

I have a 2000 2WD and I need to know how to do it also. I can not find it in the $100+ dollar manual I have. I did see a small section that mentions something about the front wheel bearings. If I read it correctly, it states to torque the big nylon bushed, non-re-useable nut to 280 ft lbs. This seems awful tight. I thought on others I have always just snugged them up good and snug and then backed off to the first point I could get a pin through the castellated nut.

Please offer advice. I am at 70K miles and I need to get to them quick. Can not afford to replace anything.



Thanks in advance. You all always give excellent help.



David

 

[GAmes]

HGDMARTIN,

I'm sure that is for 4 X 4 axles, not your 2WD hubs. My owners manual says to check them every 24,000. Wish I had, then when I found that the front spindle nut had been crossthreaded at the factory it would hve been fixed under warranty.

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Have cleaned and repacked mine every 50,000 miles. They always look like they have just been done and have planty of grease in them. Probably would be safe to go further but I go far from home a lot and would hate to be sitting beside the road with a burned out bearing. Could repack them many times for the price of one breakdown. Kenny

 

[jrollins]

Originally posted by HGDMARTN

I have a 2000 2WD and I need to know how to do it also. I can not find it in the $100+ dollar manual I have. I did see a small section that mentions something about the front wheel bearings. If I read it correctly, it states to torque the big nylon bushed, non-re-useable nut to 280 ft lbs. This seems awful tight. I thought on others I have always just snugged them up good and snug and then backed off to the first point I could get a pin through the castellated nut.

Please offer advice. I am at 70K miles and I need to get to them quick. Can not afford to replace anything.



Thanks in advance. You all always give excellent help.



David

To my knowledge on the 99 and up 3500 4x2 they are a sealed unit also so no maintenance required. As for the "safety nut" that DC uses, the manual is correct its just a nut with nylon on the front of the threads to keep it on. I have never reused one because they cost about $10 new and i didn't feel like losing a wheel on the road, there is NO cotter pin to hold the bolt on.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I heard they was 4 bones but I got mine for 175. Not easy to find either.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Bill Gotthelf

Is there some secret to getting the "extra grease" in there, or is it pretty self explanatory when you get them pressed out?

 

[BillGotthelf]

Steve-no they look like regular bearings. We cleaned them good and greased them heavily with synthetic grease. One word of warning if you mess up the seals you will have to buy the whole assembly from dodge or get the hub assembly from EGR. We searched and searched for a seal that would work but nothing matched up.

 

[Double 6]

Upgrade

Dynatrac has a kit for eliminating the sealed assemblies and putting on their spindle and bearings, plus you get lock-out hubs and stonger axle shafts. Pricey but high quality.

TDR issue #33 has a article on page 136.

 

[John Berger]

I've re-packed my front wheel bearings twice. I've got a 99 4x2. They are not a sealed unit.

 

[HGDMARTN]

I need to clarify if mine are sealed or not. I have a 2000 2WD 2500. I bought the axle nuts from the stealer and they said they do not ever maintain the bearings on a 2000. Nothing surprises me from them though.

The Dodge manual specifically states that at 30K mile intervals, the 4x2 front wheel bearings should be cleaned and re-packed as needed. So, I intend to pull mine this weekend.

Does anyone know what the torque should be on the nylon bushed axle nut?



Thanks in advance for the advice.



David

 

[John]

Only the second gen. (and possibly the third gen. ) 4x4 Rams have the sealed hub/bearing assembly... the 4x2s have the "old tech. " style of bearing maintenance.

 

[RBrunson]

Pack or not to pack?

First let me state that I believe in packing bearings, in some instances all thoe it may not be necessary. I bought a new Datsun 510 this month in 1980, I have done all the maintenance including overhauling the engine. It now has 370,000 miles and I have never touched the front wheel bearings. Thats the way I treat the Ricer, but as for the Cummins, I think I'll pack them.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Upgrade

Originally posted by Double 6

Dynatrac has a kit for eliminating the sealed assemblies and putting on their spindle and bearings, plus you get lock-out hubs and stonger axle shafts. Pricey but high quality.

TDR issue #33 has a article on page 136.

Does Dynatrac have a website? My copy of Issue 33 is under a very large sleeping dog.