My simple brake job is now on its second day and need to get back on the road. While I was replacing my brake pads and rotors I found one of my wheel bearings does not turn as smooth as the other side. I called my local auto part dealers (O'reilly, Auto Zone, ETC) and I can't find the wheel bearing for a 2001 3500 with a 2WD, solid front axle. Anyone have any idea where I can get one other than a Dodge dealer? I live near Houston Texas.

I already have the rotor off but not the bearing. Is there anything I need to watch for when I remove the bearing? It looks simple enough with only 4 bolts but I am concerned about the ABS sensor wire. Does the whole assembly needs to be replaced are just the bearing?

 

I think you have to replace the hubs and bearings as a unit-- and that unit comes only from Dodge, sorry to say.

 

It is a hub unit and yes you can get one from a local parts store. Make sure use use red loctite on the spindle nut if you reuse it.

 

Yes, i believe that they are a hub unit. I dont know about 2WD. I just went on my napa lookup and it doesnt have anything for a 2wd truck. That might be dealer only.

 

I stand corrected it is a dealer only hub because it was only used on 2000-2002 trucks. In 2003 they used the 4 wheel drive bearing to reduce parts cost. The part number on the hub is 501528AA and lists for $360.00. Good luck finding one as most dealers won't stock it because of the amount of vehicles it covers.

 

It was a dealer only item. Hub assembly Part# 5015282AA. bandit408 was correct about it not being in stock. I picked it up yesterday I can't find the torque for the large wheel bearings nut. The wrench size is 1 3/4 and has a cotter pin. My manual has none of the torque specs for the two wheel drive solid front axle. Does anyone know the torque?

 

mine doesn't have a cotter key, just a self locking nut....
i tighten it as tight as i can get it (180 ft lbs according to my manual)

 

280 ft lbs on the heavy duty.

 

bandit408 is correct, i was looking at the 4/wd section
also it says you cannot re use the nut.... there is no mention of a solid front axle on the 01 2wd 3500.... i would like to see pics of one

 

If you have a castle nut with cotter pin, don't torque it - just tighten the nut until you hit the sweet spot between bearing preload and drag.

 

I ended up buying it at the dealer but I found the same part number on eBay today for a 4WD

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar...spagenameZWD1V

This is not the shaft on my truck but it looks very close to the one I have. I believe it just goes thru the hub to hold the hub and bearing together..

http://www.lonestardiesel.com/spline.jpg

I torque it to 180 than a little tighter to line up cotter pin hole. I hope this is correct.

Thanks Guys for the help