Okay, 95 Ram 4x4, 5.2L, 1500. Front right wheel bearing, AGAIN!!!! The truck has 263,000 miles on it. Lost the first right one at 120k, second [timken]190k, third [Duracrap!]263k! Similar story for the left side. Thought I'd get more out of the Timken than the Dura-Crap! Only used the dura-crap brand cause I thought "how much longer will this truck last anyways?" I've nick-named the truck Lazarus, because I keep bringing it back from the DEAD! So, since the truck refuses to die, and I have a new motor for it. [I mentioned in a previous post that due to a head gasket leak, it has been running a 50/50 mix of oil and coolant in the oilpan for the last 100k miles!} The question IS....What wheel bearing do I use for it!!! I see bitches on the web about bearings, but no answers! Is there a fix? Does anyone make a good product, or are they all *****?

 

Free spinning hubs or an axle swap to an axle that has free spinning hubs. The only free spinning hub kits that I have seen are all for the 3/4 ton and larger trucks. If you have a D44 in the front end, you may be able to swap over some F*rd or Scout knuckles and retain the 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. I'm not too sure about this though as the camber/caster could be different.

 

It still spins the hub bearing. Is there a better bearing out there?

 

Not that I'm aware of. I'll ask on a local 4x4 forum and see what some people there say.

 

Couple of people told me that you need to stay away from the Chinese made hubs (Timken and Duralast). NApa has two lines of hubs though, their cheaper one is made in China while the more expensive one is made here in the US. They have all had very good luck with the more expensive Napa hubs.

 

Thanks Tim! Hopefully this one will outlast the truck! FYI, for anyone that gives a ****, the hub-nut is a bastard size 1-11/16"! Not standard in some kits, or available "on-the-shelf" at most auto parts stores. Plan ahead! Torque is 125 ft lbs for the hub bearing bolts, and 180 ft lbs for the hub nut. Remember to use Anti-Seize on the bolts and hub, and clean the bearing area of the knuckle. Because you might have to change it again someday! Might as well change the axle-joint on the axleshaft too while you are there!

 

I thought it was something like 36mm? Also people recommended OEM as they have had very good luck with them.