2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission getting close to needing/doing front hub bearings?

[JCyrbok]

Think I an getting close to needing new front hub bearing on my truck (see below). Where is the best place to get them from, is one brand better than another? other than the hub bearings do I need anything else? (seals etc).



Truck has just under 100k. Any special tools or odd size sockets etc? Looks like a pretty straight forward job other than the likelyhood that the bearing will be hard to get off of the knuckle due to 9 Michigan winters, LOL. They will be never seized to heck when the new ones go back on.



Thanks

J-

 

[JCyrbok]

think I am closer to needing them than I thought, LOL

last night on a 140 round trip about 1/2 way into the first 70 miles I started to get a thump in the steering wheel and brake pedal while getting onto or off of the gas. The steering wheel would actually move up or down alittle.



Then I developed a screech while on the brakes very light. sound like the front pass wheel.



Heres the weird part! after parking for about 3 hours at my destination when I made the return trip home, there was no screech or thump at all and thr truck was just like it used to. I know that it did not "fix" itself but what the hell?



Is there a good what to test the bearings to see which one is bad? Or do you just bite the bullet and change both sides?



Gonna do front bearings this week end hopefully.



J-

 

[WilsonF]

The search engine is your friend, Many many post on just what you are asking. Neat little tricks how to get the hubs loose what to get and what not to get and where to get them.

Floyd

 

[jelag]

We have these hubs on the shelf, and two days ago a gent walked in with a GM hub. With your hand you could move the assembly close to a 1/8"... this much play, he said was close to 5/8" out at the top of the tire/wheel assembly... . he'd had it up on a jack when he was letting it down he'd noticed the movement of the tire/wheel as it touched the ground... he never heard a noise...

It's 6 a. m. here, when I get to the office I'll check the part number for your 01 and drop you a note... .

 

[JCyrbok]

We have these hubs on the shelf, and two days ago a gent walked in with a GM hub. With your hand you could move the assembly close to a 1/8"... this much play, he said was close to 5/8" out at the top of the tire/wheel assembly... . he'd had it up on a jack when he was letting it down he'd noticed the movement of the tire/wheel as it touched the ground... he never heard a noise...



It's 6 a. m. here, when I get to the office I'll check the part number for your 01 and drop you a note... .

thanks if you can include a price too (if possible) thanks



J-

 

[n7gxz]

Here is a link to a document that I did on changing the front axle seals on my '01, you'll need just the first part on removing the hubs.



http://home.avvanta.com/~n7gxz/Procedure_to_change_the_axle_seals_on_the_front_axle_on_a_2001.doc



Kevin

 

[JCyrbok]

Here is a link to a document that I did on changing the front axle seals on my '01, you'll need just the first part on removing the hubs.



http://home.avvanta.com/~n7gxz/Procedure_to_change_the_axle_seals_on_the_front_axle_on_a_2001.doc



Kevin

awesome thanks printed it out and it will be handy.



J-

 

[JCyrbok]

got bearings enroute from Jelag and his crew, still not sure if I want to tackle it myself (if I was assured that they would come out fairly easy I would) or have a trusted shop r/r them for me so they can deal with the mirgaine, LOL.



Might be money well spent as I dont know if they were removed or if they were anti seized when the dealer did upper ball joints underwarranty about 50k ago.



J-

 

[JCyrbok]

what size sockets are needed

gonna be doing the bearings, likley next weekend. Gonna tackle em myself to save the money.



I know that the hub bolts and caliper mounting bracket bolts are 12point but what size are they? 14mm sticks in my head for the hub bolts but can not for the life of me remember the others.



Also as I remember the axle shaft end bolt is 1 1/16in correct?



any other sockets that I need? best I can tell it is only 7 bolts total (1axle shaft end, 4 hub and 2 bracket).



Thanks



J-

 

[JDKammin]

My caliper mounting bolts have been allen heads. The 4 bolts that hold the unit hub to the spindle are 12 pt heads. 14mm sounds right, but I can check. The socket needed for the axle shaft to hub nut is a 1 3/8" or 1 1/2". I can check on that too.

 

[LandShark]

The big axle bolt takes 1 11/16". The Hub mounting bolts are 14mm. Brake caliper bolts are 3/8" allen. This is all for a 1995.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

You might want to get some new u-joints for the front axle, they are not too expensive and you are already there anyway. also anti sieze the the new bearing before putting it in. As for Michigan, left in 2006 and don't miss it or the rust.

 

[WilsonF]

These are all good mods but the one you might be interested in is titled "Greasable wheel bearings"

Ram Modifications

Floyd

 

[n7gxz]

gonna be doing the bearings, likley next weekend. Gonna tackle em myself to save the money.



I know that the hub bolts and caliper mounting bracket bolts are 12point but what size are they? 14mm sticks in my head for the hub bolts but can not for the life of me remember the others.



Also as I remember the axle shaft end bolt is 1 1/16in correct?



any other sockets that I need? best I can tell it is only 7 bolts total (1axle shaft end, 4 hub and 2 bracket).



Thanks



J-

Yes the hub and caliper frame bolts are 12-point. Hub is 14mm and the frame is 16mm. The caliper to frame bolts are a torx (T40 or T45). The axle shaft if 1-11/16" and you'll need at least a 3/4" drive and about 3' of cheater pipe.



Kevin

 

[JCyrbok]

Yes the hub and caliper frame bolts are 12-point. Hub is 14mm and the frame is 16mm. The caliper to frame bolts are a torx (T40 or T45). The axle shaft if 1-11/16" and you'll need at least a 3/4" drive and about 3' of cheater pipe.



Kevin

thank you, just want to make sure I have what I need.



J-

 

[bboxall]

Here is a link to a document that I did on changing the front axle seals on my '01, you'll need just the first part on removing the hubs.



http://home.avvanta.com/~n7gxz/Procedure_to_change_the_axle_seals_on_the_front_axle_on_a_2001.doc



Kevin

Absolutely AWESOME!



Kevin, you are a genius of the highest order! Very good job!

 

[bboxall]

Front caliper to caliper frame bolt is Torx T47. You can use T45 but you will chew the bolt sockets up some.