Little background. I have a 92 3/4 2WD Diesel. I had the brakes done in March and upgraded the rear brakes from 2 1/2 to 3 inch brakes. The drums were toast (at least the shop I took it to said they were) so new 1 ton drums were put on and the original 3/4 ton hubs were kept on it. All of the studs were replaced.

On Sunday I was driving the truck on Sunday with probably a little over 10,000 miles on it since the brake change and heard a squeaking coming from the rear end in the morning then finally on the freeway it started to buck real bad and I pulled off the road. I smelt something burning and smoke was coming up from the driver side rear wheel. I figured it was the bearings (it was) and had it towed back to the shop where I had the work done in the first place.

So, I just get a call from them and the bearing literally came apart. They are claiming that the 3/4 ton and the 1 ton hubs are different and do not interchange. They say that since I insisted on the 1 ton drums and pads that this was my fault.

Questions - are the 3/4 ton hub and 1 ton hub different? Do they interchange? Was this why the bearing went? Do I need to change both sides? I put a ton of money into the brakes and really do not want to have to put more into it. Please help, it is at the shop now and need to get back to them soon but need some ammunition to come back at them with. Thanks for any help the board can give.

 

I was under the impression that they were the same. just different shoes and wheel cylinders. Did they add fluid to the rear end after pulling the axle shafts?

 

I'm going to assume they did, but I never checked it. Plus only one side went, not both. They said they called Chrysler and they said the hubs were different.

 

The hubs are different from SRW to DRW.

The brake drums, shoes, and wheel cylinders are not.

They probably didnt repack the bearings like the FSM calls for, or they did some other shyster stuff, and are now trying to put the blame back on you. Happens all the time, and is why I do all my own work.

Why were new studs installed? They can be resued, you know. Maybe the $8/hr "tech" forgot to get out the brass drift punch to remove the studs.

Good luck getting it fixed, and I mean that sincerely this time.

Daniel

 

Live and learn I guess, will do them myself next time. Are the hubs the same 3/4 ton to 1 ton SRW? Looking in my parts book it does look like they have a different part number but the drum is the same part number. Might be DRW for the different part number though. Would the hub being different lunch the bearings? They do not touch do they?

 

the hubs are different on 1 ton and 3/4 ton, or at least single and dual hubs are different. I found a dually rear to replace my single after it broke, but the brakes were bad, so I put the brakes from my single wheel axle on the dually. They fit perfect. The differences between the 3/4 and 1 ton hubs are that the bearings set further out on the 1 ton, and the 1 ton has larger diameter studs. The drums are identical, so your mechanic has no argument. I'll put a drawing up when its approved

 

Just talked to them again and they are now saying it was low on fluid and the seal was leaking. They did the seal when they did the brakes and I at least hope they filled up the rear end, maybe not. Sounds like the cause to me.

 

Why would they change the hubs? The drums come off the old drums and then are put back on the new drums.

 

Went over there and now the story is the seal did not go, no fluid in the brake area at all, the fluid was a little low. Maybe the bearing just went? The truck only has 95,000 miles on it. The hubs were not replaced when I put the 1 ton stuff on but the drums were. According to my parts book the one ton hub (SRW) is different from the 3/4 ton, this would not cause a problem though, right? I know a ton of guys have done this on the board.

So, where I stand now, the hub is ruined from the bearing going so I need a new seal, bearings, hub, and a fluid change since it is burnt pretty bad. They are claiming it is not their fault. Anyone have a source for a single hub? Chrysler only sells them together (hub and drum).