Guide: Replacing a 2009 - 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 Wheel Bearing & Hub

Summary:

• Wheel bearings help your Dodge Ram 1500 steer and brake effectively by ensuring the wheels can spin consistently and in coordination with each other.
• You’ll need a jack and stands, a lug wrench or torque wrench, a socket set, and a replacement wheel bearing and hub assembly for this job. You should also use a hanger or wire, pry bar, hammer, fine grain sandpaper, cloth, and anti-seize lubricant for best results.
• Follow these steps to remove and replace your hub assembly: jack up the truck, take off the wheel, remove the brakes, take off the old hub assembly, put on the new hub assembly, reconnect the brakes, replace the wheel, and lower the truck back down. Find the details for each step below, plus a video showing them in action.

Your 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500 is a powerful and versatile truck built for going the distance with its 4-wheel drive capabilities, but you’ll need to keep its wheel bearings in good condition if you want it to perform properly. To do that, you’ll want to replace the bearings and hub assemblies in your Ram 1500 before they can wear out—and we’re here to show you how.

Replacing Your 2009 - 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 Wheel Bearing & Hub? This is the part you need!

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Use our simple online tool to find reliable aftermarket Ram 1500 wheel bearings, then use the steps below to perform the installation all by yourself. Our bearings are intelligently designed and machined with precise techniques to help them last longer, so you can enjoy rugged adventures as long as you own your truck.

Do You Actually Have to Replace Wheel Bearings?

Absolutely. Your wheel bearings are responsible for making sure the wheels in your Ram 1500 turn smoothly and evenly—making them essential for everyday driving tasks like accelerating, braking, and steering.

Replacing your bearings every 85,000 to 100,000 miles prevents them from wearing out and causing handling problems. Use high-quality aftermarket replacements before your wheel bearings reach this level of use to ensure that you’ll be able to keep maneuvering your truck safely.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Here’s what you’ll need to replace a wheel bearing on your 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500 without help:

• A new wheel bearing and hub assembly for your truck
• 2009-2011 Ram 1500 wheel bearing & hub assembly
• 2012-2018 Ram 1500 wheel bearing & hub assembly
• Socket set
• Lug wrench and torque wrench
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Pry bar
• Hanger or wire
• Fine grain sandpaper
• Cloth
• Hammer

Via TRQ on YouTube.

Step 1: Elevate Your Truck & Take Off the Wheel

Use your jack to raise the truck off the ground and secure it in place with the jack stands. Next, use a 22mm socket to remove the lug nuts on the hubcap in place. Then, take the wheel off and put it to the side.

Via TRQ on YouTube.

Step 2: Remove the Brakes

Use a 21mm socket to remove the two bolts in the brake caliper bracket, then slide it off the wheel knuckle. Use your pry bar to loosen it if this proves difficult, but be careful not to damage the caliper. Once you remove these bolts, the brake rotor will be floating, so be careful not to drop it—remove it carefully and put it aside.

Next, use a wire or hanger to hold the caliper up and out of the way while you continue working. Use the pry bar to remove the clip attaching the ABS cable to the knuckle. This will give you additional flexibility and room to maneuver.

Finally, use a 35mm socket to remove the axle nut and set it aside. Then use a 21mm socket to remove the nut on the outer tie rod end (you’ll have to take out a cotter pin here as well, but keep it handy as you’ll need to put it back later).

Via Boosted Motorsports on YouTube.

Step 3: Remove the Wheel Knuckle & Hub Assembly

Disconnect the ABS wire from the clips holding it in place and from the connector behind the fender well. Pull up on the red tab to release the ABS wire from the connector.

Since you disconnected the outer tie rod end from the wheel knuckle earlier, the wheel knuckle should be able to swing forward, giving you clear access to the bolts at the rear of the hub assembly. Remove these bolts with a 21mm socket.
The old hub assembly should now come off easily. If it doesn’t, use a hammer wrapped in a cloth to tap it gently from behind and loosen it up. The heat shield will come off as well (don’t worry; you’ll put this back later).

Via TRQ on YouTube.

Step 4: Install the New Bearing & Hub Assembly

Before sliding the new hub assembly on, make sure to clean any rust out of the installation area. You can do this by covering the spline with a cloth to protect it and using sandpaper to remove rust from around the axle.

Next, thread the abs wire through the heat shield, then slide it and the new hub assembly onto the wheel knuckle. Line the hub up with the knuckle, start each of the three bolts that hold it in place, and torque them to 134 lb-ft each.

Start the nut for the lower ball joint, then place the control arm back into position and replace the upper nut. Bring the ABS wire back into place at the rear of the knuckle before tightening the upper nut with a 22mm socket.
Start the nut for the upper tie rod end. Torque the nut for the lower ball joint to 40 lb-ft.

Next, start the axle nut. To keep the wheel from rotating while you reinstall it, thread on a couple of lug nuts and insert your prybar between them to secure the wheel while you torque the axle nut to 185 lb-ft. Then remove the lug nuts before reattaching the brakes.

Via TRQ on YouTube.

Step 5: Replace the Brakes

Slide your brake rotor back into place. Once you’ve pushed it on, slide the brake pads and caliper bracket back onto the knuckle. Start the upper bolt to hold it in place, then line up the lower bolt and snug both down. Torque the caliper bracket bolts down to 130 lb-ft each.

Next, reconnect your ABS wire by snapping it into place and pressing down the red lock. Make sure it’s secured by pushing the pins into the matching holes in the fender liner.

Finish up by torquing the outer tie rod end nut to 22 lb-ft, then turning it an extra 90°. Once you’ve done that, replace the cotter pin.

Via TRQ on YouTube.

Step 7: Put the Wheel Back On

Place the wheel back on your truck and get the lug nuts started. Torque each one to 130 lb-ft in a criss-cross pattern. Consult your owner’s manual to make sure you’re using the right torque specs for your particular model year of Ram 1500—or the instructions that came with any aftermarket rims you’ve purchased for your truck.

Video Walkthrough

Need to see this process for yourself? Don’t worry; we found a great video that shows you exactly how to perform the steps described above. Check it out below:

Enjoy a Smoother Ride in Your 2012-2018 Ram 1500

With the steps above and high-quality new aftermarket parts from us, replacing the wheel bearing and hub assembly your 2012-2018 Dodge Ram 1500 should be no problem. For questions about getting the best parts for your vehicle or to learn more about anything we sell, get in touch with us and talk with someone on our team who will be happy to tell you more.