How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing 06-08 Dodge Ram
Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Dodge Ram
Replace the front wheel bearing and hub on a 2006-2008 Dodge Ram.
Tools you will need
- 21mm socket
- 35mm socket
- Hammer
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Torque wrench
- Pry bar
- Jack stands
- 18mm socket
- Bungee cord
- Floor jack
- Needle-nose pliers
- 22mm socket
Parts and supplies
- Wheel bearing and hub assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the 22mm lug nuts with the truck on the ground, pry out the center cap, loosen the 35mm axle nut, raise and support the truck, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.
- Remove the rotor and axle nut
Remove the caliper bracket's two 21mm bolts, hang the caliper out of the way from the frame with a bungee cord, pull the rotor off, then remove the axle nut.
- Free the tie rod
Tap the end of the axle to push it out of the hub, loosen the tie rod's 21mm nut partway down its threads, tap the bottom of it with a hammer to break it loose, remove the nut the rest of the way, then pull the tie rod up and out of the control arm.
- Separate the spindle from the control arm
Loosen the upper ball joint's 22mm nut, tap the front of the knuckle with a hammer (being careful not to crack it) and strike the bottom of the control arm if needed to free the joint, release the ABS sensor's connector tab and disconnect it, free it from the clamps under the control arm, then pull the axle shaft out of the wheel bearing along with the ABS sensor.
- Remove the hub
Remove the hub's three 18mm bolts with a breaker bar, hammer the back of the hub out of the spindle, then pull the hub and dust shield free.
- Install the new hub
Clean the spindle's face and bore of corrosion and scoring, feed the ABS wiring through the dust shield and line the sensor up with its slot, start the hub into place and hand-tighten two bolts, slide the axle through the hub once aligned, start the third bolt, then tighten all three 18mm bolts and torque them to about 120 ft-lb.
- Reconnect the upper ball joint
Seat the axle splines in the hub, hand-tighten and then tighten the axle's castle nut, insert and twist a new cotter pin, slide the upper ball joint into the spindle, tighten its 22mm nut, then torque it to about 40 ft-lb plus an additional 90 degrees.
- Reinstall the tie rod
Insert it into the spindle, start the nut by hand, tighten the 21mm nut with a socket and ratchet, then torque it to about 45 ft-lb.
- Reinstall the rotor and caliper
Tuck the wiring harness back into the control arm's keepers and reconnect its connector, slide the rotor into place, fit the caliper over it, tighten its 21mm bolts, then torque them to about 130 ft-lb.
- Reattach the wheel
Slide the wheel on, start the lug nuts by hand, lower the truck, tighten and torque the axle nut to about 185 ft-lb, refit the center cap, then torque the lug nuts to about 135 ft-lb in a star pattern.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.