- #4 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [icecreamman]
by dustyk
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Feb 15, 2009 (7:08 pm)
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Replying to: icecreamman (Feb 15, 2009 2:51 pm)
Diagnosis
If the noise remains constant over varied vehicle speeds it is probably tire, wheel or front alignment related.
If the noise changes with vehicle speed, or changes under acceleration or deceleration, the problem is engine, exhaust, or differential related.
If the noise is constant, but varies in pitch or intensity as vehicle speed is increased, it is possible you have a defective wheel bearing or a bad U-joint. Sometimes if the noise changes as the steering wheel is turned, it will indicate a bad wheel bearing. But they can sometimes fool you. A lot of times a bad wheel bearing will make noise regardless of turning. With the vehicle raised, check the wheel bearings for play.
Regards,
Dusty
Regards,
Dusty
If the noise is
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- #5 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [dustyk]
by bdoucet
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Feb 27, 2009 (1:44 pm)
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Replying to: dustyk (Feb 15, 2009 7:08 pm)
I am having the same problem. Using SKF brg/hub assemblies, I have replaced both sides twice in the last year. Had a 4 wheel alignment done...tech said nothing unordinary. No brake drag. I would think that SKF would be OE supplier or at least a top line replacement...am I missing something?
2003 QC 4X4 3.9L
Thanks
Brian
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- #6 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [bdoucet]
by dustyk
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Mar 01, 2009 (12:57 pm)
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Replying to: bdoucet (Feb 27, 2009 1:44 pm)
I've known a couple of people that have replaced a front wheel bearing assembly on a 4WD Dakota, but these were both first time and well after a 100,000 miles, and much older Daks, besides. I have yet to run into one person with a 2WD Dakota that's had to replace a front wheel bearing assembly of any year. I don't believe this is a common problem regardless of miles.
Twice in a year on the same vehicle is completely abnormal and is either the result of hub overheating, incorrect bearing (or bearing quality), bearing damage, or incorrect/poor installation.
Does this vehicle ever have the wheels completely submerged in water?
Best regards,
Dusty
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- #7 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [dustyk]
by wolfer1
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Mar 01, 2009 (1:15 pm)
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Replying to: dustyk (Mar 01, 2009 12:57 pm)
Here is ONE that has had to replace the front wheel bearings on my 2002 Dakota 2WD. Granted it has 130,000 miles, but as far as I am concerned, that is irrelavent. As to why they bearing failed, I do not know. I bought the truck used, and it had a slight vibration in the right front. Further inspection found the wheel bearing had galled. Even thought the vehicle is not out of alignment, the tires that were on it had wear patterns that indicated bad alignment. Replaced the front hub (still p*ss*s me off I have to $150 for a $20 part replacement) and all is well.
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- #8 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [dustyk]
by bdoucet
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Mar 01, 2009 (6:00 pm)
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Replying to: dustyk (Mar 01, 2009 12:57 pm)
Nahh. wheels never been submerged, only ever use 4wd in the snow. Originals went 120 000km and i'm really beginning to think i will go with mopar replacement this time. A couple of chrysler partsmanagers on other sites insist that is the problem that they are looser to start with than the mopar...that when they have been forced to use SKF or other manufacturer there have been issues. Hard to believe with a first line supplier like SKF but I have also found recalls on the dak 2wd front hub assemblies made by SKF. Check it out at
www.recalls.gov Search thru SKF
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- #9 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [wolfer1]
by dustyk
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Mar 01, 2009 (8:12 pm)
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Replying to: wolfer1 (Mar 01, 2009 1:15 pm)
There's a guy in town here that has 155,000 on a 2000 Dakota and is still sporting the original front wheel bearings, mines at 117K and no problems so far. And I've got two size larger tires on her.
Did your bad bearing make any noise, or was the only symptom a vibration
Regards,
Dusty
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- #10 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [bdoucet]
by dustyk
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Mar 01, 2009 (8:20 pm)
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Replying to: bdoucet (Mar 01, 2009 6:00 pm)
Usually SKF is very good quality stuff. But anybody can make a mistake. If Chrysler parts managers are telling you they are loose compared to the factory replacements, I'm thinking there's a spec. issue, not necessarily a material quality problem.
A friend of mine changed out the rear bearings and races on his wife's Venture a couple of years ago and replaced them with stuff he got from AutoZone. Within two years the races were galled and the bearings were worn down to the brass primary coating.
A lot of aftermarket stuff is not up to the factory quality.
Best regards,
Dusty
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- #11 of 11
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Re: dakota wheel bearings [dustyk]
by bdoucet
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Mar 01, 2009 (9:15 pm)
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Replying to: dustyk (Mar 01, 2009 8:12 pm)
The initial indicator is sound, the odd part is that unlike a worn bearing where the sound is most noticeable when turning, these have been noisy driving straight (like a bias ply!) and then become noiser when turning into the bad side. I never let it go far enough to vibration. Being a sealed brg it's tough to get a good read on the reason. When the noise started I jacked up the truck to check the play in the wheel and couldn't feel any, but spinning the wheel by hand sounded like the brg was dry. As I said before no brake drag and no indication of grease on the back of the wheel so I'm narrowing it down to Mfg. As far as I was concerned SKF was an industry leader and didn"t doubt there product, but as you said mistakes do happen and perhaps the OE spec is tighter on the radial clearance than SKF's engineers feel is cost effective. On this board i do seem to be one of the only owners with this dilema, but on the dodgedakotas.com forum it seems a little more common. As with everyone else just trying to share my experience in the hopes it might help another. I am fortunate to have a good relationship with the parts store and they are trying to press the SKF rep for any insight. Thanks dusty
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