Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hub Assembly Gone

[EGaskamp]

Well, I got some bad news today. I didn't know that on my '02 you can't just replace the wheel bearing by itself. The Dodge house said the front hub assembly is all one unit. The unit by itself was $490-500. I was ****** enough when I thought I was going to have a wheel fall off at 70 mph, like I did on my old '95, but now that I can't just change the wheel bearing it makes me wonder why Dodge make their trucks so complicated. The only reason I have a Dodge is because of the CTD. Dodge SUCKS!



Eric

 

[bmoeller]

The Dodge house said the front hub assembly is all one unit. The unit by itself was $490-500. it makes me wonder why Dodge make their trucks so complicated. Dodge SUCKS!

GM IFS axles are the same way, at least on the 4x4 trucks. Ford uses some, too.



I'm ya, though. I miss the good old wheel bearing setup. Pretty easy to deal with.



Wouldn't be so bad if they let you just press in a new bearing assembly, than the whole unitized junk.

 

[MLeppen]

Just replaced mine but paid $200 less for Timken assembly than dealer list price.



www.quad4x4.com

 

[jerrethomas]

Well, I got some bad news today. I didn't know that on my '02 you can't just replace the wheel bearing by itself. The Dodge house said the front hub assembly is all one unit. The unit by itself was $490-500.

I know the feeling. I just did the ball joints in my grandfathers 00 2500 RAM. We had the worst time to get the hubs out. we ended up had to heat them a little to get them loose while using a air chisel at the same time. Prolly could have used the old ones over(didn't get real hot at the bearing, could touch after it was off), but due to him running down a lot of dusty roads, i just put two of them on. I paid about 210. 00 a piece for the hub assembly. it's nice to work at a garage that has an accout setup with the local dodge dealer.

 

[JKinney]

Mleppen Thanks alot Just put another book mark in the favorites.



Do you think you can drive those timken bearings out and replace them when the time comes?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I did a search on "hubs" and came up with this thread - https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1040700&highlight=hubs+napa#post1040700 . According to biggy238 he bought hubs for his 96 at NAPA for $234 ea.

 

[MLeppen]

Jkinney I know they will come right out next time. Cleaned knuckle with drum sander over coated with Loctite anti-sieze. Pulled the bearings apart with a puller, the hubs were stuck in there!Next tried the loosening the hub bolts with a couple threads in the hub,then grabbed socket and couple 1/2" extensions started truck and turned wheels till the ext. touched the frame. After a few times of moving the socket around on the 4 bolts 10 min. later pop out they come. Why oh why didn't I try that in the first place??????? Live and learn but with new rotors and bearings they will go a long time now. And the Timken ones looked better than the stockers FWIW.

 

[jerrethomas]

Pulled the bearings apart with a puller, the hubs were stuck in there!

LOL, a guy at work did that on a 97 dodge ram. He thought he knew everything an never would ask for help. so in his infinte wisdown he proceded to put a 3 jaw puller over the plate that has the studs in it. just like you said, bearing came apart and the hub was still in there. prolly would have helped if he would have taken the 4 bolts out of the back before he tried to rip and tear on it

 

[MLeppen]

prolly would have helped if he would have taken the 4 bolts out of the back before he tried to rip and tear on it

LOL... At least I had the bolts out But only after BEATING an extension to death with socket on it,did I buy a $70 hub puller to seperate the bearings when I only needed rotors :{



Then I did a search here and tried the power steering and extensions/socket trick... ..... 10 easy min later they're off! I will Never forget that trick.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

www.RockAuto.com doesn't have a listing for a hub/sealed bearing assembly for the '02 2500 4x4.



But they did have the hub/sealed bearing assembly for my '94 2500 4x4 for ~$182 withOUT the TDR discount.



Here's the thread that spells out the TDR's discount at www.RockAuto.com



Matt

 

[woodsrat]

MLeppen



Can you explain this 1/2 inch extension trick a little more i have done these hubs on three different trucks now and they all seem to take alot more work than they are worth. One of them i broke my big puller taking out. :{

 

[AKAMAC]

MLeppen



Can you explain this 1/2 inch extension trick a little more i have done these hubs on three different trucks now and they all seem to take alot more work than they are worth. One of them i broke my big puller taking out. :{

You use the partially removed bolts with an extension and socket. Place the socket/extension (S/E) on bolt and have someone slowly turn the steering to force the loosened hub assembly away from the axle ball joint carrier. You will have to rotate the S/E from bolt to bolt and make sure the socket doesn't bottom out on the hub carrier plate. Don't stay under the truck while doing this, the S/E can fly out of there pretty quick if you jam the hub. Tensioning the puller first can help, just don't over do it. Mike