I had posted in the "2nd Gen. Dodge Ram - No Drivetrain" section that I was getting a rubbing sound from the front. On the way home things were getting shakey up front. Upon getting the truck in the driveway I pulled the front tires off. The drivers side hub spun fine, the passenger side hub was a different story. I could barely move it and there were metal shavings around the brake caliper. When I looked on the back of the hub I found the source of the shavings, the hub had pulled away from the u-joints and a couple of the bearings were sticking out sideways. Has anyone had this happen to them before and does anyone know if I can just replace the hub and be ok?

 

You should be ok with the sealed hub/bearing assembly. Now would be the time to hammer in ball joints also.

Hopefully you caught it before it chewed up the stub end of the axle.

Rick

 

thanks Rick, ball joints were replaced on this side about 30k miles ago, think I should be ok with not replacing ball joints. Also, does anyone know where I can get the sealed hub bearing assembly? I found something here but it seems pricey.

 

Looks like it's in line to me

Rick

 

Thanks Rick. Can anyone point me to a resource on replacing front hubs? I've searched but no luck. Thanks.

 

There's really not much to it as long as you can seperate the bearing from the axle, no big deal in your case since it's trashed.
Remove the calipers and rotor, big nut in the center and the four 12 points in the rear, pound the studs out with a copper hand sledge or press. Replace the bearing. Do not use your lug nuts and wheels to suck down the studs as you can damage the wheel, use a stack of washers instead.
Expect to have a fuild leak at the axle end for a awhile afterwards that will heal by itself.

 

Appreciate that Infidel, just to clarify, what do you mean by suck down the studs and how do you use the washers? Maybe when I pull the wheel back off again it will be clear. Also, sounds like you think I can get away with just putting a new bearing in there. Does anyone happen to have a part number for this bearing? Thanks!

edit: I just read on this site that you can't just replace the bearings. They say "The front wheel bearings on 1994-2002 Dodge 4x4 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are of unitized construction. They are not serviceable and no replacement parts are available for them." So I guess that leaves me with buying a hub.

 

I got my right front hub at the dealer. Everything was ready to bolt up, studs installed, and ABS sensor installed. $306 out the door.

 

Thanks shortround, as I've been looking around the net, and as per Rick above ~$300 seems to be the about the going rate for the Timken hubs.

 

What I mean by sucking them down is putting the studs back where they belong after removing them. Use a stack of washers on the stud rather than the wheel to draw them all the way down to their shoulder. Hopefully you have an air wrench.
The untitized bearing is availible from most any auto parts store, $175 each seems to be about the going rate.

 

When I had to R & R rotors recently I found that a little anti-seize on the base of the studs really helped get them in. I used a 3 lb hammer and drift with the other side of the hub / rotor supported around the stud.

 

I just replaced a hub assembly on my wifes 99 ford 4x4. It cost me $390 for a kit. So that kit you are looking at looks pretty good. Just make sure you have or dont have ABS sensor.

I checked aroud on prices, and the dealer wanted $520.00 for all the parts to do one side! I found everything I needed @ a store in Indianna for $390 (2nd day air included!!!).

Anyway, I dont know about the dodge, but the ford has a seal in the spindle that is a booger to get on the axle shaft. Good luck!

 

Thanks for all of the help and replies. I ended up taking to a shop I trust. It needed a new rotor and hub (with ABS) and needed the axel reconditioned. They did the parts and labor for under a grand. I priced out the parts + shipping I needed to be around $600 maybe $700 so I figured what the heck and let them do it. I got it back in a day as well. so I guess I missed out on a learning experience but I feel better and it's done! By the way, I definitely learned what a wheel bearing going bad in a hurry sounds like, won't make that mistake twice...