I have an 08 1500 hemi quad cab...
Had a grind on and off in the front end until recently when it became more constant. Noise is coming from driver side front end. I jacked up to check for tire play...wow..the wheel just wobbled.

Mechanic said while changing bearings should also change axle. Sounds good to me. My question is, how much play should be in the axle when shaken by hand? The passenger side has some play..should it move at all?

Last question. After doing some research, it seems like a day project that I could tackle. My mechanic is doing drivers side but I think I will tackle the passenger side when I get time to save some $$$. Is there anything to be carful of when doing this?
Cheers!

 

There should be no play in the wheel, not sure what you mean asking how much play should be in the axle.
Wheel bearings are not easy to change, unless you're really handy and have good tools, it's best left to a pro. Also, why does he want to change the axle, is there damage to it?

 

If your truck has been driven in an area where they salt the roads in winter......I'd let the mechanic change both of the hubs out.
As you mention front axel, I'm surmising you have a 4x4?
Separating the CV axel from the wheel hub is a royal pain in the *** at the best of times. So if your in a salt belt area....they're absolute pigs!!
Just a heads up and btw.....when you put all this stuff back together, make sure you use ant-seize compound. It'll pay dividends in the future
Al

 

Wheel hubs are as easy to change out as the brakes.


SJ03

 

If you paying a machanic to perform work then replacement of the CV axle is probably worth the investment because most of the labor is done.

 

Lol, in Texas maybe.

 

Talked to mechanic today..said cv is not horrible but truck at 98000mi. I told him t change it since it was already apart. After reading replies I left all labor with mechanic. Good trustworthy guy. My 08 should be good for a while.