2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Second gen -- differences in hub assemblies

[daveshoe]

After seeing several posts about the difficulty of hub removal and the high costs of doing so , A TDR member sent me a PM on how to remove and reinstall the hubs and bearings. Even with his help ,I hit a snag on the rear-most portion of the job. The good news was that there was no immediate need to remove the bearing on a one year old truck and I had time to think about it before proceeding. I came up with a shadetree solution that involves the making of a simple tool that could be made by anyone with a drill press . It eliminates the ''heat and beat '' method of removal.

My problem is , I need to know how the front end bearing assembly varies on the second generation Rams. Mine consists of wheel spacer, outer bearing race and bearing, seperate rotor, inner race and bearing. It is the inner race and bearing that proves to be the toughest to remove . This tool deals with the inner assembly [that is attached to the truck with the four 12 point metric bolts from the rear]

If someone could point me to some links that show the differences or similarities in these trucks and how the hubs come apart, then I could post how to make the tool and know if it will work for some/most/all of the second gen trucks. BTW mine is a 4x4 3500 2002

Thanks in advance Daveshoe

 

[Extreme1]

The front wheel bearings on the 4X4's are one "cartridge" assembly consisting of the inner and outer bearings and the flanged housing that the 2 bearings are installed in.



The slide hammer method is a really effective method of removal and AutoZone around here has one that can be borrowed for free. I made my own puller that attached to the wheel studs and pushed on the end of the axle with a large bolt. This isn't a good method as I seperated the bearing. I reassembled it and torqued the axle nut (which holds the bearing together) and so far it's been OK. I used a hammer type on the other side and it came apart properly.



To answer your question about the bearing differences, the 3/4 and 1 ton 4X4's all use the same type of front bearing cartridge. There may be slight differences depending on which year the truck is or whether or not its a 1 ton. Try looking the bearing up on a online type of parts supplier (NAPA has the 3/4 ton available in the store) and see when they changed.



Hope this helps.

 

[daveshoe]

For me , bearing separation was not an issue. It allowed me to get at the bearings and races to examine and grease them. Again , this was possible with a 2002 truck. You can sub- assemble them back into one unit before re-install , but I highly recommend a bearing press to do this.

My puller assist tool is only used after the front part[outside bearing assembly] has been separated with a 3 jaw puller[or slide hammer]

The guy who told me how to do all this has 180000 miles on his bearings and still going strong. He services his on a yearly basis. He and I both know that this unit is ''non-serviceable'' , but then look what DC charges for the things.

If there is any interest in this tool I will post how to make it.

Thanks for the input, Extreme 1

 

[grtescpa]

Originally posted by daveshoe

After seeing several posts about the difficulty of hub removal and the high costs of doing so , A TDR member sent me a PM on how to remove and reinstall the hubs and bearings. Even with his help ,I hit a snag on the rear-most portion of the job. The good news was that there was no immediate need to remove the bearing on a one year old truck and I had time to think about it before proceeding. I came up with a shadetree solution that involves the making of a simple tool that could be made by anyone with a drill press . It eliminates the ''heat and beat '' method of removal.

My problem is , I need to know how the front end bearing assembly varies on the second generation Rams. Mine consists of wheel spacer, outer bearing race and bearing, seperate rotor, inner race and bearing. It is the inner race and bearing that proves to be the toughest to remove . This tool deals with the inner assembly [that is attached to the truck with the four 12 point metric bolts from the rear]

If someone could point me to some links that show the differences or similarities in these trucks and how the hubs come apart, then I could post how to make the tool and know if it will work for some/most/all of the second gen trucks. BTW mine is a 4x4 3500 2002

Thanks in advance Daveshoe

I had to remove mine at about 80k to address changing the rotors. My hubs were so badly rusted to the carriage that using a puller caused the hub bearings to separate. I had to pound out both sides of the remaining hub Assemblies with plenty of PB blaster. I cleaned and repacked the bearings with some high quality Amsoil grease. I have my own shop press so putting everything back in place was a snap. Your puller idea sounds good for the inside bearing. I suggest putting plenty of grease on the housing and carriage parts before reassembly. Dodge does not lube any press parts from the factory.