How to change out front wheel bearings

Tiny
BOATP2LEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 325,000 MILES
Need to change out front wheel bearing assemblies
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 1:46 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
2 or 4 wheel drive?

Roy
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 2:35 PM
Tiny
BOATP2LEE
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  • 8 POSTS
2-wheel drive
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
WHEEL BEARINGS

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove caliper retainer and anti-rattle springs (if equipped). Remove brake caliper, and support it aside. Remove inboard brake pad (if necessary). Remove grease cap, cotter pin, nut, washer and outer wheel bearing.

2. Carefully slide rotor from steering knuckle. Remove oil seal and inner bearing.

CAUTION:
DO NOT allow inner bearing and seal to contact spindle threads during removal. Damage to threads, bearing and seal could result.

Installation

Clean and inspect bearings. Pack or replace bearings as required. Install the inner bearing and oil seal. Carefully install rotor and outer bearing, washer, and nut. Adjust wheel bearings. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

1. Tighten wheel bearing adjusting nut to 30-40 ft. Lbs. (41-54 N.M) while rotating wheel. Stop rotation, and back off adjusting nut to release all preload. Retighten nut finger tight.

2. Ensure bearing end play is.0001-.0030" (.003-.076 mm). Install nut lock and cotter pin. Coat grease cap lightly with grease, and install cap.
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
BOATP2LEE
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  • 8 POSTS
Aren't the bearings sealed assemblies instead of individual components?
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Yes, it is a hub

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Wrenchtech/87617242.gif

REMOVAL

Raise and support vehicle.
Remove wheel and tire assembly.
Remove brake caliper and rotor, refer to Brakes and Traction Control.
Remove hub/bearing spindle nut.
Slide hub/bearing off spindle.

INSTALLATION

Slide hub/bearing on spindle.
Install hub/bearing spindle nut and tighten to 251 Nm (185 ft. lbs.) .
Install brake rotor and caliper, refer to Brakes and Traction Control.
Install wheel and tire assembly.
Remove support and lower vehicle.
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
BOATP2LEE
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  • 8 POSTS
That seems simple enough. What are the chances that the assembly will be "stuck" on the spindle? Would this require some kind of "puller", or can it be freed up without one?
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hub is for 98 models. They won't be stuck too badly and if so, you would need a slide hammer.
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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No, that picture is from a 97
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Mitchell1 shows 97 as with replaceable bearings but for 98 it is with hub. Something is wrong somewhere.
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 10:30 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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  • 20,758 POSTS
Alldata says it's a hub and a checked a parts supplier which also says it's a hub.
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 11:06 PM

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