Hello again guys. You all were very helpful with the last post I made when i was having engine problems. No issues with my engine this time...my damn tranny is leaking, but not trying to solve that one today.

I've got a 1994 Ram 1500 5.9L single cab with 3" body lift and 3" suspension lift with 36" tires and had the gears upgraded to 4.56 many years ago.

Right now I'm having problems with my front wheel hub and bearings. I was driving home from Home Depot last weekend and only going about 35-40 MPH and it felt like my tire was about to wobble right off. I pulled over and sure enough my passenger front wheel was bent out, looked like it was about to snap off. I added some pictures so you can see what's going on.

I was going to buy and replace the hub and bearing assemblies on both sides of the front axle.I found these Timken branded ones on Rock Auto for $76/each.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/ti...+assembly,1636

I didn't want to get the cheap ~$40 ones, thinking I needed something a little more quality with the lift and bigger tires. You guys think these will be fine? Or go with another brand?

After reading some older posts on this topic, some guys suggested replacing the axle joints and ball joints. Some even suggested replacing the front track bar. To my knowledge, none of these have been replaced and are all original.

I don't go off-roading any these days unless we have bad weather and I have to. And I drive this truck maybe once every other week to the store and back....not anything close to a daily driver. Also figured I'd go ahead and do both sides now since they are original.

If you have any tips or suggestions for making the job easier, I'm all ears.

I appreciate any help,
Kyle



Parked, broke down in turn lane....

passenger side that is broken

driver side for reference, don't think there are issues with this side.





My last post for reference, although it is not related to current issue:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-and-51-a.html

 

It looks like the brake caliper is the only thing holding that puppy on. Definitely replace both sides. The other one is the same age and mileage. The right one probably got a hard shock at one time which is why it failed first. While you're in there, yes, check your shafts and CV joints/ The lift puts extra strain on them. Any ripped rubber means that one needs replacing.

 

No CV joints there. Just u-joints. Wouldn't hurt to replace them.

 

Timkem is good or I like SKF also. Definitely check the ball joints and U-joints. Spicer is best.

 

Thanks guys. Just placed an order with Rock Auto, used that 5% off code so shipping wasn't so bad.

Just in case anyone reads this post in the future...I ended up ordering 2 sets of these for my front axle. Going to knock out both sides while I'm at it.

• Dana 5811X Universal Joint
• Moog Upper Ball Joint K7206T
• Moog Lower Ball Joint K8195T
• Timken Wheel Bearing & Hub Assembly 515006

Total was like $321 after tax and shipping and I used a 5% code....

Going to rent some tools from the local parts store to help with the install. Probably won't have time until a couple weekends from now. I'll update you guys on my progress as I get it started. I'll try to snap some photos as well.

 

Good luck. Can't remember for sure but there's something about sliding the CAD sleeve so the inner axle doesn't fall down. Maybe someone else remembers for sure.

 

Engage 4wd before pulling the RH hub assembly, that way collar is on the intermediate shaft.

Before you instal the hubs and shafts, clean the axle tubes really good. But even then, they might leak. I just relplaced both seals and intermediate shaft w/needle bearing. To get to the LH seal, you'll need to drop the differential (on a D60, not sure about the D44).

 

Had a few life events get in the way and my poor truck has been parked in my driveway since I originally posted this... I have the weekend free and am going to start this repair. After reading a few DIY threads I'm not sure I'll be able to get all of this completed, but will try. Going to start with the passenger side, then do driver if I get the passenger side finished. I'll post an update with pictures when i get started on this. I've never done any of these repairs, but figure if I got through the plenum plate replacement I can tackle these replacements.

 

HeikIlm, where did you find the needle bearing assembly for the intermediate shaft? I have a front Dana 60 in my truck and it uses a solid slider instead of needle bearings.

 

Yeah, the design changed over the years. I think they used the bearing thru 99, then it became a bushing??