Wheel Bearings going bad at 80K?

[brillmtb1]

So I swapped out some tires and was rocking the rear tires back and forth on the truck on the ground and I get some play on both sides. Lugs are tight. Only thing left I would think is my wheel bearings need to be replaced. Couple of questions. Given there is a race in there as well would you replace the whole unit rather than just the bearing.

So I am going to check the fronts as well. Looked at brands and lots of debate right now on which is best Moog and Timken seem to have dropped in quality? Anyone know who the Mopar maker is and would it be true that they would have higher quality (at twice the price Im sure)?

 

[crazy jerry]

sorry but i have this weird feeling youve no idea how to check for bearing play

 

[brillmtb1]

Dont be sorry...Im just an MD and there's probably a lot I don't know about cars. This was one method I read online but I have to have my steering box or something up front checked and yes...will take it to the dealer because I think my warranty still good so I will have them check however best to check. Then again I will have to trust they dont sell me something I dont need

How would you check?

 

[brillmtb1]

Ram 1500 bad wheel bearings symptoms, causes and diagnosis (wheelsjoint.com)

This is what I was reading but we will see what dodge mechanics think.

 

[Hoefler]

Wheel bearing play is expected, if it was tight with no play, you would be looking at failure very quickly, the play lessens as the bearings heat up and expand.

 

[Audiowriter]

.If the rear wheels of the truck are off the ground - and you are rocking (rolling / turning?) the wheels back and forth - it is the "natural" play in the ring and pinion gears you are noticing. This has nothing to do with wheel bearings.

 

[brillmtb1]

Its the rear wheels and when i did the same maneuver to my friends new 1500 there was no “play” i could sense

 

[lpennock]

When you say "back and forth" which plane are you talking?
a. rotational: the way the wheels turn normally which is normal gear and pinion lash
b. horizontal: side to side motion when your hands are at 3 and 9 clock of the tire
c. vertical: in and out when your hands are at 12 and 6 on the tires.

 

[BigPapa]

Your friend's 1500 axle is not the same as your 3500 axle.

 

[Imjustdave]

Well... you need to jack it up first... grab the top and bottom and rock the tire towards the far fender verse in the direction that the tire rolls.

I agree with others sounds like gear backlash.

 

[crazy jerry]

in park on the ground you should be able to rock it back and forth but its not lash of the ring and pinion. its lash in the park lock mechanism. 1500 may not rock because its likely a totally different park locking method inside the trans

 

[brillmtb1]

so its not the way the tire rolls, understand that might be ring and pinion. It is the way a bearing might have tolerance. My truck had a loose feel the 1500 didnt. I am going in for the transmission flash for the less then optimal shift patterns monday, front end has clicks at the steering wheel that could be steering box and I will have them check bearings.

 

[Ozymandias]

Well yes, you have a live axle - that's the difference.

A 1500 has an independent front suspension and is therefore way better planted on the road.
That's why that suspension was invented.

The 2500 and up is a horse carriage, simple and solid but not a racer by any means.

 

[Ozymandias]

1500 = Car

2500 = Truck