Front end help
 

So, I am going to replace my outer tie rod, front axle universals, upper and lower ball joints, hopefully the hubs are good if not those too. Does anybody have any tips for this? I am a bit nervous because I need the truck on Monday so I hope it goes smooth. I'm also doing new rotors and pads but that's easy enough. I also bought a ujoint and ball joint press. Hopefully it pays for itself. The guy at the parts store said it would. Wish me luck! And post your tips, please!

not sure how the dually front ends are built compared the regular 2500 you have to knock the wheel studs out of the rotor, and the wheel bearing to change the rotors, they dont just slide on over the studs like the newer model ones witch is a ass backwards design, and your gonna need a puller to pull the assumbly off the axle. but like a said that was what i had to do on my 99' 2500. your dually might be different with the offset adapters. good luck with it all.

Yikes, this might suck!

the part that sucks is geting the hubs free.

since its a 4wheel drive you can take a strong socket place it against the outter axle shaft ujoint with the wheel turned one direction then with someone holding the socket in place turn the wheel the other direction and it will force the axle shaft and hub off the knuckle.. makes it easier than attacking it with a sledge for 10 minutes:tttt:

Thanks but I'm through that. I'll try it next time if there is a next time. So far and $2000 later it is going well.

Glad its going wellso far. Are you done yet..:c:

Yup, finished and it took about 16 hours. At times there were 3 guys working on it. It was a bitch @ first but the second side went well. I could do it way faster now I know all the tricks. The worst part was the ujoints. Nothing the heat wrench couldnt handle. Just need an alignment and I'm all good. :c: all besides the Duramax guys giving me hell. I assured them they will be doing the same.

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Btw, hub were not good. Both new, really expensive. What sucked the most? Paying for it!

i get to tackle this in a few weeks haha im not looking forward to it at all

One thing I found usefull the second time I did it was the use of antiseize and lots of it the first time:w2: took around 6 hrs of beating and ended in cutting a wheel bearing/rotor out the first time to get it free ,the second time I did it in about an hr :tu: clean the mating surface up real well and antiseize them good:tu:

My Hubs were no good either. I went to american bearing company for those or you can use timken.

Unfortunatly I wanted Timken but I was pressed for time and couldnt wait for them to come in. You can buy Timkens @ carpartswhole.com for $250 autozone wants $350. So if you are going to replace you bearings you cam save 200 if you order ahead of time. I bought them for my Expedition and they were good to deal with. I used Federals. They have a two year warranty. I recommend Timkens though.

i ended up finding a timken on ebay for $145 when i did mine. and it was shipped fast.

Timken HA590020 Front Hub Assembly | eBay

any way to figure out if the hub assembly is bad before you rip it all apart?

Jack it up with the wheel on and try to shake it for play then turn the wheel an check for play again because it could have a tight spot and you wouldn't kno it's worn out.

My pass side bearing was shot. The only sign was humming while driving. When I jacked the truck up I wiggled the wheel and spun it. It felt tight and right. Spun with no sign of a problem. It wasn't until I pulled the assembly off and checked the bearing. At that time there was no doubt it was bad. I recommend buying the bearings and having them on hand like I didnt do. Especially if you are pressed for time. You can always return them. But my bet is you will use them. Invest in antiseize and coat everything with it. I would order them off the net to save yourself a few bucks unless you get shop rate at your parts store. One more thing is greaseable ujoints. Napa has them. Everybody else says they ate not available. Carpartswholesale has them too. Get greaseable everything! Grease every oil change! Just my 2 cents!

yea im going to napa for ball joints and universals, but idk if i can afford all new hub assemblys haha they are pricey