Hi to all:
For my understanding, to replace the front bearings to the Dakota 2001, I need to replace the whole hub which includes the bearings.
I will like to know the process to accomplish this task; things to be concern, what could go wrong, cost of the parts, etc.
Could you please help me?
Thank you very much.
Ps. I am considering myself a "beginner" in my mechanic skills.
Thank you, again

 

Just did the one on my 98 2 weeks ago I followed this. Yours is a 01 but should be the same thing
http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/...ad.php?t=65393

The task itself was pretty straight forward. Pick up some pb blaster and make sure you have a BFH. What ever you do dont pay the 200.00 for the part at autozone or where ever get it off ebay I paid 60.00 for one and it came in 2 days its the same exact part.

 

Be careful buying cheap bearings on internet, can you say JUNK? Had 2 go bad in les than 1 year. Put in good[ expensive] one, has been in for 2 years with no problems.

 

i had to use a cheater bar to break some bolts loose... especially for the axle nut. i purchased hubs from ebay... there still running strong.
i think the ebay hubs are the same that autozone, napa sell. timken are oem.

 

I compared everything (old hub vs new ebay hub) everything looked to be the exact same. I think its nuts to pay almost 200.00 for a part that only cost's like 20.00 to make in the first place.

 

I just did this this past weekend on my 97 Dak 4x4, if you go to a shop the cheapest per side is around $250, autozone wanted $214 per side just for the part, I ended up getting them from a bearing shop in MI. for $65 each, there rebuilt so I cant say its the best route, but cheaper. As far a the mechanic skill, im with you but it is pretty simple, did both sides in about 4hrs. Oh and I used a 16lb sledge to break the hub from the half shaft, and make sure to soak the bolts with some sort of penetrating oil. Good Luck

 

We've done both on our 05 ram. My dakota hasn't shown issues, knock on wood.

Take tire off, take caliper bracket off, remove disk, take out the 3 huge bolts, reverse process. We have it down to exactly 1 hour for a hub change.

 

To all:
Thank

 

To all:
Thank you very much for all your help. I did perform the task. I cannot say it was easy, but it is not that bad. The main issues were to lose the 3 bolt that holds the hub (I did use my torch to lose the bolts) and to break the hub loose out of the frame (a good metal chisel help). Once again, thank you very much.

 

Must be different from the ram- after 196 and 218 miles for left and right respecively, we only needed the air-ratchet. The air-impact stayed on the ground, and PB stayed on the shelf. Of course, we used the torque wrench to put everything back per FSM specs (100 ft-lbs for the hub bolts on the ram).