i just bought 4 brand new 33"s didnt put them on yet..wondering if i should do wheel bearings before mounting.my hubs have some slight play side to side and top to bottom, the balljoints are only a few months old they are fine. the drivers side has more play than the left, either is totally like wicked loose but i dont want to spank 2 $250 tires with bad bearings.. how much play is within reason?

 

No play allowed IMO, a little play at the bearing is a lot at the outer circumference of a 33" tire. It would at least be worth a look to see how bad the bearings feel while spinning them by hand and checking for rough spots.Nothing worse than a burned up bearing welding itself to an axle.

 

I will tell you this if you dont change them you will regret it i know i did because when they go out they go out and its not fun. Just make sure when you change them to antiseize everthing really good because its always easyer to take them apart again.

 

I'm with the other guys who have already posted. There should be no noticable play in the unit bearings. I'd replace them, especially with larger diameter tires that add extra stress.

Nothing like loosing a unit bearing on the freeway... Watching your tire pass you up never makes for a good day of driving.

 

If you have off set rims or wheel spacers it will make them wear out faster.

 

do them immediately if its any question. when it comes to the safety of you and others its not something to overlook. not to mention it costs like 25% the cost to replace the wheel bearings as it would to replace the whole hub when one seizes and jacks everything up

 

Unit bearings are the cheesiest thing I've ever seen thats why I went with lockouts. 40$ to replace my bearings now.

 

yeah im going to do them, can i get them cheaper online? if so, where? idc about shipping delay dont need the truck on the road for another month..

 

O'Reilly's has them for either $230 or $330 depending on if your truck has 2 wheel ABS or 4 wheel ABS.

Napa on-line shows $244-$444 with 2 wheel/4 wheel ABS.

NAPA Pro-link drops the cost by around 20% if you have access to that level pricing.

Parts Geek (on-line) shows Timken bearings for $147.

1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Wheel Hub Assembly - Driveshaft & Axle - GMB, Timken, Front Right, Front Left - PartsGeek


Discount Auto Body (on-line) shows them for $97!

Discount Body Parts - 1997 dodge ram 2500 wheel hub assembly - 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Wheel Hub

As always, a link to someone on-line with a great price doesn't ALWAYS mean good things. Do your homework. I'm not making any recommendations about the online places.

 

im liking that price from body parts online.... sounds to cheap? anyone else take a look at it? hell if their 90 bucks ill order a spare... that bearing in link will work with my 94 2500 4x4 12 valve?