Well, I just got the news......


Apparently both my front hubs are shot, or what the service manager calls "wheel bearings"

and that is where my thumping and grinding noise is coming from........

They are tellimg me $1,186 to do both sides......


I'm wondering if I might be better to go to some sort of aftermarket setup like Warn locking hubs or soemthing????

I need to tell the shop what I want to do ASAP so any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

There aren't a lot of choices. The OEM bearings are big dollars, you can get NAPA units at a reasonable price. The only conversion I know if is the Ford Dana 60 conversion--Lots a dollars!! If your truck has 4 wheels ABS that price isn't so bad.

 

No just rear wheel ABS

 

www.Quad4x4.com has the parts with Timken bearing and the instructional video on how to do this, around $280 per side for just the hubs. Just did mine. Or the same brand from Auto Zone for around $240 per side. If the rest hasn't already been done though you may as well replace ball joints and rotors while your in there. Total is about $800 for parts for both sides. Quad4x4 sells a kit with all the special tools you need to it included.

 

Thanks for the tip.

Do you prefer your manual hubs??

I'm thinking the advantages would be a small increase in MPG due to a little less rotating mechs.....

as well as hopefully some increased bearing life because the hubs are permantly locked??

Also Could permantly do away with the stupid CAD setup.

Is this a good idea pr just not worth it?

 

I did not see manual hubs anywhere in that info??

 

I have a Dana 70f axle laying in the back for years, wonder what it would cost to convert for the Dodge.

 

Don't know.

You should look into it, would be a nice mod.

Do you use your 4x4 much????

Most guys I know with car hauling rigs just have 2wd and prefer it.

Just curious. The low range can be handy at times I bet with your big tires and 3.55

 

Haulin,

Is that the closed front knuckle unit? What was it from? Disk or drum?

Mc

 

Well at one time I was going to convert a '77 ford to 4wd. I did a job in exchange for this unit. I got it in 1980, it is a 1980 Dana f70, 3.54, warn hubs, disk brake, and I have the shafts, springs, shocks, and a pail full of misc parts. I also have two part time transfer cases one on part of a C6 case. It is open knuckle. But..... It has been laying outside since it was pretty black new paint, and as can be expected it is not now. For many years there was a plastic tarp wrapped around it, but that has long ago rotted off it. It would have to be disassembled and cleaned, rebuilt.

 

Is the diff on the passenger side or driver side?

 

Yes it is drivers side, with the center line a little above center. It is king pin.