My truck is sitting on jackstands in the driveway right now. Replaced the rotors and pads today and noticed the passenger side bearing is not looking so good. I'm taking the day off from work tomorrow to deal with the situation, after some searching of the forums I've learned that the bearings are a sealed unit so the whole assembly has to be replaced... figures. :

First question, is it necessary to replace both sides together? Driver's side is tight as a drum, and $200 is much easier to swallow than $400... although it still sucks. :'(

Second question, in my searching I saw a post that said Dodge had made a change on the '02 trucks that changed the front bearings to serviceable units... meaning the bearings could be replaced by themselves. Is this info accurate? If so, will it bolt right up on my '99? I'd much rather go this route if possible.

Thanks.

 

I don't have this info but am sure waiting for the answers. Seems that this was brought up in another thread a year ago.

 

The '02 FSM only refers to it as a "Hub/Bearing Assembly," and doesn't discuss any disassembly beyond removing that assembly from the rotor, so it doesn't seem like the bearing can be replaced separately. But with nothing but line drawings to go by, and never having taken one apart, I can't say that absolutely for certain.

 

I thought there would be more activity with this thread but I guess I was wrong. It matters not... Had to get the truck rolling again so I forked out $250 for a new hub from NAPA this morning. OUCH!! :'( :'(

 

I'm with Haulin in Dixie, I'm sure there was someone that separated the hub and was able to replace just the bearing. Darn if I can find it though.

 

There is a real good article in threads here on that process. I had thought that there was an upgrade to a servicable system in 2002. They did make some change, that is what I was hoping to hear. I have not had to service mine yet but it sounds like you can take them apart if you have the equipment, lube them, but cannot just replace the bearings. Before wet bearings on the trailers and truck front axles, we used to put a grease fitting in the cap and give it a couple of shots everytime the truck was greased. Might be able to come up with something along those lines here.

 

Well I hope the 02's are easier to work on then the previous model years. So far they've subtracted so much stuff from the last model year 02 that it better have some redeaming qualities....

-CM