While having a flat tire fixed they checked the front wheel bearings, there it quite a bit of slop, you can move the tire 1/4 to 1/2", is that normal? Also there is a ticking sound coming from the front axle i think, it might be the bearing but getting under there it almost sounds like its in the axle. Any help would be appreciated. Are my bearings shot? if so what is it gonna cost to fix it? The truck has 215k miles and i'm guessing original bearings(i bought it with 200k) The truck drives straight and has no pull and the steering is pretty tight, it doesnt wander if that makes a difference.
Thanks, Sean

 

Well if you have to replace the front bearings it is not cheap. I just did mine about a year ago. Wish I had knowen about these before I did it. This is a locking hub system and it cost just about as much to do this as changing the front bearings. You might want to take a look at this link
http://www.dynatrac.com/products_freespin_dodge.html

 

thanks. Can anyone else help with this?

 

The ticking noise is possibly a u joint in the axle. You can check these by grabbing ahold of the u joint at each side of the axle and shaking it for play. If your wheel bearings have that much play in them, you definitely want to replace them. If you are going to do the work yourself it will cost you about$450-500 with aftermarket parts. It really isn't that bad of a job to do. If you are confident in your wrenching it can be done in a saturday afternoon. But, if your u joints are bad, too (aftr 215K, it is quite possible, mine went at 160K) you might as well do them as long as you have the hub off. U joints will run you about $50 each if I remember right. The only special tool you'll need is a 1 11/16" socket for the hub nut.