The owners manual for my 2-wheel drive 02 CTD indicates that the "sealed for life" front wheel bearings should be inspected every 24 months or 30k miles. I've looked in the service manual and I can't find anything regarding the inspection procedure. I can find something about replacing the hub/bearing. Obviously the wheel and hub have to be removed. The question is what's next. Is there one bearing or two. I also noticed that the hub/bearing nut requires 280 foot pounds of torque. Two of my torque wrenches are scaled to 250. If I'm going to do this myself, I guess I will need to buy another torque wrench. I would appreciate any advice on this.

 

I am not positive on this but I think that the hub/bearing is a sealed unit. If it is like the 4x4 hubs they are nonservicable. I wouldn't worry about that extra 30lbs. of torque, I just make sure they are tight because they always come off harder later.

 

Since only one person has responded to this post, I'm assuming that no one on this forum inspects the "sealed" front wheel bearings on their trucks. Do you just wait until the bearing seizes? I realize that my truck is 2wd; however I believe the 4x4's have sealed bearings as well. Obviously there is a life expectancy on the sealed bearings - they don't last forever. I know they are not serviceable, but periodic inspections might prevent a serious future problem; especially if you are driving the truck when the bearing decides to quit working.

 

All you can do is inspect them for looseness. They dont just instantly sieze up. When the bearing is starting failure a growl or roar type noise will start. Turning the whell left to right will load and unload the bearing as well as increasing or decreasing the noise. So if they are getting loose or noisey you then replace them

 

Yeah, that is how I knew mine were bad. They had a squeak to them. I changed both sides and glad I did. The one that was squeaking seemed to be the better one. Good luck on the change.

 

if u hear them grinding u know their bad,no need to inspect a non serviceable unit.....if u going to pull it apart to inspect u mine as well change them and put anti sieze on the backs cauze its a lot of work....good luck

 

The only way to inspect them is to take it all apart and then you would have to remove the non-servicable bearings and from what I hear that will ruin them. Then you are screwed. If it aint broke dont fix it!

 

Thanks guys for the responses. I suspected that it was a lot of work. As far as I know, I'm not having any wheel bearing issues. At least I haven't heard any unusual noises coming from the front end. Of course any noise might be difficult to hear over the sound of the motor, with the windows rolled up and the radio going. I'm just trying to make sure that I cover all the bases as far as the maintenance schedule goes.

 

When my left front started to make a noticable noise, at 96k mi. I replaced it. Bad news is that the hub is only available from Diamler Chrysler. and they are not cheap. $275 was the wholesale price to my friends shop. the parts dept at Dodge quoted $ 375 for the part and $300 labor for the dealer to do it.
Job wasn't hard, but parts are expensive. To test the Wheel bearing, you jack the wheel from under the lower control arm (just a inch off the floor will do) Then wipe off any loose debris from the area around the nut, grab the wheel at front and back( 9 oclock, and 3 oclock position) and rock it. Look for any movement at hub next to hub nut. Then do the same action top to bottom. (12 oclock-6 oclock) There shouldn't be any movement at the hub. Good luck. "Ironbutt" Also Bilmac, fill out your truck info so we all know what you drive.