Replacing a 2002 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 (3rd Generation) Wheel Bearing
Summary
- The wheel bearings in your Dodge Ram 1500 help absorb the forces created as you drive, making it vital for safe and effective handling and braking.
- For this job, you’ll need a jack and stands, a lug wrench or impact gun, a ratchet and socket set, a torque wrench, a brake caliper hanger or bungee cord, a hammer, cloth, threadlocker, and an aftermarket wheel hub designed for your Ram 1500.
- The steps for this process are to jack up your truck, remove the brakes, disconnect the ABS cable, remove the old hub, install the new one, reconnect the ABS wire, put the brakes back on, and replace the wheel. Read on for details and specs on each one.
Guide: Replacing a 2002 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 (3rd Generation) Wheel Bearing
The 3rd generation Dodge Ram 1500 is an extremely tough truck, whether you’re using it to tow trailers down highways or go off-roading in your leisure time. But the wheel bearings in your truck will need to be replaced every so often if you want it to keep handling the way you expect.
Replacing Your 2002-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Wheel Bearing? This is the part you need!
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Once you’ve purchased a high-quality aftermarket replacement hub for your Ram 1500 above, you can use the guide below to install it by yourself. Below, we’ll tell you what tools you’ll need and show you each step involved so that you can keep your Ram on the road.
Why Is Replacing Your Wheel Bearings Important?
Replacing the wheel hubs and bearings in your Ram before they wear out ensures that they can keep absorbing the forces created when you speed up, steer, or brake your truck. Typically, bearings need to be replaced about once every 100,000 miles to ensure that they do not fail during these maneuvers, which can create noticeable performance problems and even lead to safety hazards.
See also: 8 Signs You Have a Wheel Bearing Problem
Required Tools:
To change out the hub and wheel bearing in your 3rd gen Dodge Ram 1500 by yourself, you’ll need:
- A jack and stands
- Lug wrench or impact gun
- Socket set and ratchet
- Torque wrench
- Brake caliper hanger or bungee cord
- Hammer
- Cloth
- Threadlocker
- New wheel bearing and hub assembly
Step 1: Jack Up Your Truck & Remove the Wheel
The first thing you’ll need to do is loosen your truck’s lug nuts so the wheel doesn’t spin when you remove it. Raise your Ram up on a jack and make sure it’s supported on the stands. Once you do, take the lug nuts off entirely and remove the tire (use a ⅞ or 22mm socket for this). Tap the back of the wheel with a hammer wrapped in cloth to loosen it if you’re having trouble.
Step 2: Remove the Brakes
Taking off the brake calipers comes next. Use a 13mm socket to loosen the bolts holding the caliper in place, then lift it off the rotor and move it out of the way (we suggest hanging it on a bungee cable). Then, remove the rotor.
Step 3: Remove the ABS Cable
We’re almost ready to take off the old wheel hub now, but we still need to get the ABS sensor cable out of the way first. The cable will be connected near the body of your truck—unplug it so you can thread it out of the hub when you take it off.
Step 4: Remove the Hub Assembly
Remove the 35mm bolt holding the hub nut in place. Tap the axle with a hammer once firmly to ensure that it comes free from the hub. Then remove the hub by hand.
You may need to remove the axle from the hub before you can take it off. To do this, use your prybar away from the body of the truck and tap the end with a hammer until it comes out. Then use an 18mm socket to remove the three bolts holding the hub in place and slide it off.
Step 5: Install the New Hub
Once the hub is off, use a damp rag to wipe away any trapped dirt or debris lingering beneath it (you don’t want these affecting your new hub after you put it on). Then apply a small amount of threadlocker to help keep the bolts in place once you put the new bearing on and start the hub nut. After you replace the ABS cable, you’ll torque each of the bolts at the back of the new hub to 100 lb-ft (note: torque specs for different model years may vary, so always consult your owner’s manual to be sure).
Step 6: Reinstall the ABS Cable
Before you finish attaching the new hub, you’ll want to slide the ABS cable through and plug it back into it’s home near the body of your truck. After that, you can replace the axle and tighten the axle nut.
Step 7: Put the Brakes Back On
Slide the brake rotor back on and hold it by starting one lug nut. Then replace the caliper and tighten each of the bolts to 137 lb-ft. You can use some more threadlocker on these to keep them nice and snug.
Step 8: Replace the Wheel
Lastly, it’s time to replace your wheel and tire. Slide the wheel on, start each of the lug nuts, then tighten the axle cap to 185 lb-ft. Once you’ve done that, put the center cap on (you’ll have to remove the lug nuts to do this, so you may want to do it while your truck is on the ground). Put the lug nuts back in and torque them to 120 lb-ft each in a star pattern. Before driving, pump the brakes several times to make sure they’re working properly. That’s it—nice work!
Video Walkthrough
To see an example of the process for replacing the wheel bearings on your 02-08 Ram 1500, check out the video below:
Keep Your 3rd Generation Ram 1500 on the Road Where It Belongs
Using the guide above, you should be able to put a new front wheel hub on your 02-08 Ram 1500 with no problems. To learn more about our aftermarket wheel hubs and bearings, contact our team—we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
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