thinking about replacing my rear wheel bearings, seeing as how my front ones were **** and one ate itself. so i wanted to see if anyone on here has replaced them, and if it was a major job or not. if it is, then i'll wait and replace some other crap while i'm back there. trucks got 160K on it, and is wheeled alot in mud, don't know if the original bearings were replaced or not.

any thoughts?

 

<-- Retard that didnt read fully the first time...

What bearings are you wanting to replace?
The carrier bearings or the outer bearings where the axle rests?


Either way I would reccomend taking it to a diff. shop as it requires presses and fun tools that most dudes dont have

 

uh.... the axle bearing dont need a press. I used a slide hammer to get mine out and a seal/race installer to put the seal and bearing in.

Have you done regular service to your rear axle? like fluid change?

If you have kept up with it or done it once or twice I would just do a fluid change on it. Those bearings dont fail like the front garbage unitized bearings.

 

If you do decide to do this.

to answer your question. to replace the axle bearings it isnt too bad. you have to pull the diff cover and remove the "C" clips holding the axle shafts in.

you also have to remove the wheels and drums then the axles will slide out.

If you do replace the bearings buy some xle seals as well. might as well. it would suck to have a leak there after you had it apart and didnt spend the extra $10 bucks on seals.

 

I just had a local repair shop do my rear wheel bearing. It cost my around a 100 bucks to have it done, so it was well worth it to me not to have to screw with it.

 

thanks guys, as you describe it god ramit, it doesn't seem that bad. i'll probably do it in a few weeks. i guess bearings and seals. anything else i should replace while i'm in there?

 

na I wouldnt touch anything else. It would require resetting gears and such.

 

My 1998 Dodge 2wd is has been making a wha....wha....wha......wha as I drive down the road. When I brake the sounds stays consistent telling me that it is not my brakes. I think it might be my bearings, but I am not a seasoned pro at this and do not know. I have been told it probably is my bearings but wanted to get some thoughts on the subject.

If I do have to replace them what all tools will I need?

Thanks for the help and if I need to provide more info just let me know.

 

A length of heavy chain attached to 2 studs on the axle flange ( hook the chain like at 12 o'clock and 600 o'clock position if possible) can be used in lieu of a puller. Let the weight hang on the chain then "****** it" like you want to crack a whip. It takes a few jerks but generally they will come out this way also.

 

Holy smokes Bruce, this thread is NINE years old. I should hope he has it fixed by now.