joshua smith

i need to replace the rear axle bearings on my 97 3/4 ton . has anyone done it before, and if so how hard are they to replace?

1997 CTD 2500 4X4 ex-cab long box 235,000, gear vendors 8 speed, stage 5 TST fuel plate, 4" exhaust, 370 injectors, full DTT trans, turbo silencer MIA, X-monitor guages, 4:10 gears w/ limited slip, new style tow mirors, stock turbo and pump

2004.5 CTD 2500 4 door long box, stock for now

ScottN

I did one side of my '97. It really isn't very hard. You just need to get a special socket for the bearing nut.

berner

They're pretty straight forward. Pick up a Haynes book. It's not as good as a Service Manual but it has a lot of good info in it.

The big nut you have to remove has a nylon insert in it. There's a special keeper that bites into the nylon to hold it from turning. It's recommended that you replace these. I used a pair of side cutters and was able to pull them out without wrecking them. The dealer wanted $9 each for them. There might be 2 cents max worth of material to make them. The old ones have been in there for 4 years with no problems.

You'll want to pack the bearings with some grease and do a few figure 8's when you get it back together to get the rearend fluid out to the bearings.

mr T

replaced them in the fall. Basically be prepared that the old ones will be hard to get out and u need to be patient. i rented the big socket and that was abreeze to remove...it really wasnt tight at all. I used a film of RTV sealant around the seal before putting it back in...while i was there i repacked the bearings with grease ...no biggie....biggest challenge is getting ur hands on the big nut for the axle..Napa has them for sure. pm me if you have problems