Wheel bearing (hub assembly) question

stealth13690 · #1 09-22-2009, 08:19 PM

I have a 2004 ram 1500 QC 4x4 and was planning on changing the hub on the front right this weekend. I was just wondering if I will have to remove the tie rod and the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle to access the 3 bolts. The 4x2 models do not require this, if I remember correctly from the service manual. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Toefur · #2 09-22-2009, 08:49 PM

yup...upper ball joint and tie rod need to be separated

bigmiah22 · #3 09-22-2009, 09:06 PM

Hmm...i have an 03 and i did my passenger side about a month ago, i was posting on here for help and what not with it, and i didnt have to remove my upper ball joint OR my tie rod and i have a 4x4 so i dont think that you will need to at all..I'm replacing my driver side one as soon as it comes in as i can hear it getting worse and worse everyday..part should be here thursday...anyways, i think you'll be fine...i could get to 2 of the 3 bolts without a problem, and the 3rd i just had to add an extra extension on. One thing that i will say though, make sure you have power tools, or find someone that does, took me 45 minutes to do mine, but if i didnt have power tools, would have easily taken me a couple hours because of how rusted the bolts were. Also make sure you have a rust catalyst spray otherwise you could break something...then you'd really have a problem!

lxman1 · #4 09-22-2009, 09:08 PM

Had my replaced on my 08 2wd under warranty about a month ago and they removed the tie rod end for sure. I can see where it was removed.

Toefur · #5 09-23-2009, 12:42 AM

I did my driver side about 8 months ago myself and there is no way in hell I could get those bolts out with out separating the upper ball joint, tie rod end and tipping the knuckle towards me.

eaglestorm · #6 09-23-2009, 01:05 AM

you knock loose the tierod end so it's easy to move around you dont need to undo the ball joint . but you need to remove the axel nut then push the axel back to get a socket on the bolts I use a puller to grab on the outside of the hub and it push's the axel back

pizzo · #7 09-23-2009, 01:21 AM

few days ago helped my neighbor change his wheel bearings on his 02 dodge ram 1500 4x4 i didn't need to take anything loose just the axle nut. I used a swivel socket 1/2 inch drive extension and impact. the drivers side just fell apart in 2 pieces guess it was bad also. My truck is due next for wheel bearings. glad you guys don't have 3500's my wheel bearing for my truck. a timken is 450 from autozone.