I have a growel on the front drivers side wheel that gets louder when I turn to the right. I have never had any squeeky wheel bearings on any of my vehicles, they have always had a low pitch growel. I have read some past posts about needing wheel bearings but really no information on how big of a project it is. I know it is a hub assembly (my old Chevy was a needle bearing on the half shaft). Can anyone tell me how much goes into changing the wheel bearing on a 4x4?

Thanks

 

Well if its a straight axle truck, all you have to do is....

loosen lugs - jack it up & put it on a stand - remove wheel, remove caliper & rotor & axle shaft nut. The hub should be held on by 3 bolts (maybe 4 I don't know) to the knuckle.

I have a 98 1500, they could have changed it when the body changed but I am not sure. The only thing you really have to worry about is if it has ABS in front and rear or just rear. The hubs differ from the sensor equipped or not. So before you buy a hub make sure your truck has 4 wheel ABS or just 2wheel ABS. All I did was call service at a local dodge dealer to verify my application with the last 8 digits of the VIN if I remember correctly so I don't buy something for another application.

You will most likely been needing a hammer (preferrably a 4lb) and a chisel to wedge between the knuckle and hub assembly when removing it. A wire brush, anti-seize also will be needed if there is a good amount of crap between the knuckle and hub and just to be safe. And dont forget to put the splash guard back on when puttin the hub in.

 

Not a straight axle so probably requires a little more effort huh. Should have everything I need except bearing, I change my Grand Caravan rear bearings about 3 months ago. They were easy. With the split axle do I need to pull the half shaft out?

 

If yours is a 4x4 that ft brg is tough to get off esp if your trying to do it in your driveway
in fact you may never get it off in the driveway they are that hard to break loose.
if its a 2500 or 3500 ?? 1500 are easy If thats a pic of your truck it looks like a 1500 ?
and a lot like a min van to replace. axel nut,4 bolts in the back after rotor is removed.
if it's a 2500 or 3500 you need someone who now's how to do it.

 

It is a 1500 4x4. If I'm reading you correctly it is going to be tough to get off? I like the idea of the minivan repalcement...that was a easy. When you say break loose you are talking about breaking the bearing from the half shaft?

 

1500 not that tough . replace the hub and brg as a unit dont go for just a brg that most aftermarket places offer. After the wheel is off and brake caliper mount is removed there are 4 bolts on the back side of the knuckle to remove you also need to remove the axel nut. you may have to push the axel in to get a socket on the backside bolts. thats the hardest part. once the 4 bolts are removed unpluge the wheel speed sensor at the fender well and all the clips holding the harness (if there is a sensor) then use a big hammer to strike the hub flange from the back side to knock the brg and hub loose all most like your mini van huh

 

Well good luck, I couldn't get my passenger bearing off and had to take it in. 496 bucks later. But it was shreaded, the bearing and hub were replaced.

 

I ordered on from ebay yesterday...mine only has 3 bolts but I think I can get it...just hope I can get somthing on those bolts.

 

My 2006 Ram 1500 had a recall for front bearings so took it in and had them replaced for free = )

 

I wish