I turned on the TV and caught the last minute of Xtreme 4x4, and they were putting a locking hub conversion on a Dodge from Spyntec. I didn't care, because I already locked the collar over in the 4 wheel drive position because I was having problems. But, they mentioned that it replaced the non-serviceable hub assembly with regular bearings.

Does anyone know of a method out there to replace the hub with something serviceable? I need to replace both of mine, and would rather replace it with something that doesn't cost $300 every time. The Spyntec thing costs $1500, and replaces your hubs with a locking system. I don't mind my current setup, I kinda like being able to get 4 wheel drive on the fly. Plus, I'm poor. Anyone heard of anything?

 

There is another thread on just this topic going as well. But, basically, nope. If you want serviceable bearings, and locking hubs, you are going to pay.... big time.

 

and that conversion is only for the dana 60 (2500 -3500) axels. he already has them installed on that truck.

 

Actually...ems offroad makes kits for our 1500's. But they don't come cheap either. In the shorterm, replacing the unit bearing is about you can do.

 

what if you drilled and tapped a hole in the case of the bearing and threaded a grease fitting in so u could pump some grease in it? if u got a bad wheel bearing already why not try it and see what happens

 

Nah, once the bearing is bad, its bad. It may help them last longer if you put the grease fitting in when new, but I'm not sure... quite expensive to find out if doesn't.

 

well i was thinking u could cut the old bearing up and look at it inside and try drilling holes to see where the best spot would be to put it and make sure it wont hit anything thing ya know and then drill the new one and tap the hole for the fitting. i plan on doing that when i have to replace one.

 

i don't think you could get a grease tube all the way into the actual bearing. the bearing is pressed into the hub assy, which in turn slides into the steering knuckle cavity.

 

i know its pressed in i have replaced like 4 hubs on it in the past few years because of my 37s was just thinking if i could put a grease fitting on there maybe they would last longer.

 

In order for it to do any good, you would need to drill your holes through the outer races of the bearings, so the grease would get somewhere that it would do some good.... That should be fun...... trying to drill thru hardened steel isn't easy. Even with the 'right' bit, it is still a pita. Plus, you are going to introduce steel chips into the bearing. I don't see any real good way to avoid that... and that is only going to shorten the life of the bearing, not extend it.

Might be more successful seeing if you could press the dead bearings out, and put in some new ones...... maybe something a bit higher quality than some made in china piece of sh*t. (yes, I have issues.)