Wheel Bearing
that sums it up right there....oe parts are designed to fail at a certain mileage...and therefore most people take their vehicles to the dealer to replace those "designed to fail at a certain mileage" parts with like parts that are "designed to fail at a certain mileage" and the cycle continues...my wifes 09 journey is a prime example...rotors, pads and tires....all used up before the 36k warranty expired...replace with the same factory stuff? I can expect another 30k or so...no thanks....since none of that was covered by the warranty (and they wanted close to $700 for a brake job and another $700 for the tires)...i said no thanks...went aftermarket, spent $250 for the brakes and $450 for the tires, AFTERMARKET, and I know they will last a sh!tload longer than 30k....
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Noisy means the bearings are running with out grease. Its won't be very long untilled they overheat and fail especially if you use the highway. The bad bearing may disintegrate, cause alignment problems and waste gas.
I'd just go ahead and replace it. It's not that bad of a job. I had to remove mine when I replaced my CV axle, aside from the axle nut, there are 4 bolts that hold the hub on. Thats it.
Professional
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: New Milford, CT
That's always puzzled me: You can't service JUST the front wheel bearings themselves on these Dakotas? Not without replacing the whole front HUB? How does that work?
$300 just for PARTS sounds awfully expensive for a front wheel bearing job. Maybe I'm showing my age here.
$300 just for PARTS sounds awfully expensive for a front wheel bearing job. Maybe I'm showing my age here.
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Most newer vehicles come with sealed hubs now days. Its really very easy to swap them out. Just remove the wheel, then remove the cv shaft nut if you have 4x4, remove the 3 mounting bolts. Reverse to install, should take less than a 6 pack to do both sides.
