1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Wheel bearing

FRAME MOUNTED BUSHING
NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper
operation during the removal and installation pro-
cess.
(1) Install the new bushing into the frame using
special tools 8682-3 (receiver), 8682-1 (driver) with
the two bearings and the threaded rod (Fig. 9)mak-
ing sure to properly orient the bushing as shown
(Fig. 8).
CONTROL ARM BUSHING
(1) Install the new lower control arm bushings into
the lower control arm using tools 8682-1 (driver),
8682-5 (receiver) and the two bearings with the
threaded rod (Fig. 10) making sure to properly orient
the bushing in the control (Fig. 8).
(1) Remove the control arm from the vise.
(2) Install the lower control arm (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM -
INSTALLATION).
(3) Reset the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(4) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
INSTALLATION - TORSION BAR CROSS
MEMBER BUSHING
NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper
operation during the removal and installation pro-
cess.
(1) Install the new bushing into the cross member
using special tools 8835-2, 8835-4 and 8835-3 with
the bearing and the threaded rod 8838 (Fig. 11) mak-
ing sure to properly orient the bushing.
(2) Remove the cross member from the vise.
(3) Install the torsion bar cross member (Refer to
13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/REAR CROSS-
MEMBER - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reset the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(5) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
INSTALLATION - LOWER CONTROL ARM
BUSHINGS - 2WD (LD)
NOTE: HD 4X2 bushings are not servicable.
Fig. 9 FRAME BUSHING INSTALL
1 - THREADED ROD
2 - BEARINGS
3 - 8682-3 (RECEIVER)
4 - BUSHING
5 - 8682-1 (DRIVER)
Fig. 10 CONTROL ARM BUSHING INSTALL
1 - THREADED ROD
2 - BEARINGS
3 - 8682-1 (DRIVER)
4 - BUSHING
5 - CONTROL ARM
6 - 8682-5 (RECEIVER)
7 - NUT
DRFRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 2 - 15
BUSHINGS (Continued)

LARGE BUSHING
NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper
operation during the removal and installation pro-
cess.
(1) Install the new bushing into the lower control
arm using special tools 8836-2 (receiver), 8836-1
(driver), 8836-4 (spacer) with the bearing and the
threaded rod (8839) (Fig. 12).
SMALL BUSHING
(1) Install the small bushings into the lower con-
trol arm using tools 8836-7 (driver), 8836-2 (receiver),
8836±3 (spacer) and the bearing with the threaded
rod (8839) (Fig. 13).
(1) Remove the control arm from the vise.
(2) Install the lower control arm (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM -
INSTALLATION).
(3) Reset the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(4) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
HUB / BEARING
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 4X4
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the brake caliper and rotor (Refer to 5
- BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor if
equipped, (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/
FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the halfshaft nut.
Fig. 11 TORSION BAR CROSS MEMBER BUSHING -
INSTALLATION
1 - 8835-2
2 - 8835-4
3 - 8835-3
4 - 8838
Fig. 12 LARGE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING -
INSTALL
1 - 8836-1 (DRIVER)
2 - 8839 (THREADED ROD)
3 - 8836-2 (RECEIVER)
4 - 8836-4 (SPACER)
Fig. 13 SMALL LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING -
INSTALL
1 - 8836-2 (RECEIVER)
2 - 8839 (THREADED ROD)
3 - 8836-3 (SPACER)
4 - 8836-7 (DRIVER)
2 - 16 FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONDR
BUSHINGS (Continued)

NOTE: Do not strike the knuckle with a hammer to
remove the tie rod end or the ball joint. Damage to
the steering knuckle will occur.
(6) Remove the tie rod end nut and separate the
tie rod from the knuckle using special tool 8677.
(7) Remove the upper ball joint nut and separate
the upper ball joint from the knuckle using special
tool 8677.
(8) Pull down on the steering knuckle to separate
the halfshaft from the hub/bearing.
(9) Remove the three hub/bearing mounting bolts
from the steering knuckle (Fig. 14).
(10) Slide the hub/bearing out of the steering
knuckle (Fig. 14).
(11) Remove the brake dust shield.
REMOVAL - 4X2
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the brake caliper and rotor (Refer to 5
- BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor if
equipped, (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/
FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - REMOVAL)
(Fig. 15)
(5) Remove the three hub/bearing mounting bolts
from the steering knuckle (Fig. 15).
(6) Slide the hub/bearing out of the steering
knuckle (Fig. 15).
(7) Remove the brake dust shield (Fig. 15).
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 4X4
(1) Install the brake dust shield (Fig. 16).
(2) Install the hub/bearing into the steering
knuckle and tighten the bolts to 163 N´m (120 ft.
lbs.) (Fig. 16).
(3) Install the brake rotor and caliper (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
INSTALLATION).
Fig. 14 HALFSHAFT / HUB/BEARING
1 - HUB/BEARING MOUNTING NUTS
2 - HALF SHAFT
Fig. 15 HUB/BEARING 4X2
1 - HUB/BEARING
2 - DUST SHIELD
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
4 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRE
5 - HUB/BEARING MOUNTING NUT
Fig. 16 HUB/BEARING 4X4
1 - HUB/BEARING
2 - DUST SHIELD
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
4- WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRE
5 - HUB/BEARING MOUNTING NUT
DRFRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 2 - 17
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

(4) Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/FRONT
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - INSTALLATION).
(5) Install the upper ball joint nut to the steering
knuckle and tighten to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.) (on 1500
series only an additional 90É turn).
(6) Install the tie rod end nut to the steering
knuckle and tighten to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) then an
additional 90É.
(7) Install the halfshaft nut and tighten to 251
N´m (185 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install the wheel and tire assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(9) Remove the support and lower vehicle.
INSTALLATION - 4X2
(1) Install the brake dust shield (Fig. 15).
(2) Install the hub/bearing into the steering
knuckle and tighten the bolts to 163 N´m (120 ft.
lbs.) (Fig. 15).
(3) Install the brake rotor and caliper (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
INSTALLATION).
(4) Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/FRONT
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - INSTALLATION) (Fig.
15).
(5) Install the wheel and tire assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(6) Remove the support and lower vehicle.
KNUCKLE
DESCRIPTION
The knuckle is a single casting with legs machined
for the upper and lower ball joints. The knuckle also
has machined mounting locations for the front brake
calipers and hub bearing.
OPERATION
The steering knuckle pivot between the upper and
lower ball joint. Steering linkage attached to the
knuckle allows the vehicle to be steered.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the brake caliper, rotor (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
REMOVAL), shield and ABS wheel speed sensor if
equipped (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/
FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the front halfshaft nut (if equipped).(5) Remove the tie rod end nut. Separate the tie
rod from the knuckle with Remover 8677.
CAUTION: When installing Remover 8677 to sepa-
rate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball
joint seal.
(6) Remove the upper ball joint nut. Separate the
ball joint from the knuckle with Remover 8677 (Fig.
17)
(7) Remove the lower ball joint nut. Separate the
ball joint from the knuckle with Remover 8677 (Fig.
18) and remove the knuckle.
Fig. 17 STEERING KNUCKLE
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - SHOCK
3 - HALFSHAFT
4 - DISC BRAKE CALIPER
5 - HUB/BEARING
Fig. 18 LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8677
2 - 18 FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONDR
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

(8) Remove the hub/bearing from the steering
knuckle (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/HUB /
BEARING - REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The ball joint stud tapers must be
CLEAN and DRY before installing the knuckle.
Clean the stud tapers with mineral spirits to remove
dirt and grease.
NOTE: When installing hub/bearing with ABS
brakes, position the speed sensor opening towards
the front of the vehicle.
(1) Install the hub/bearing to the steering knuckle
and tighten the bolts to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.)(LD) or
176 N´m (130 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2) (Fig. 19).
(2) Install the knuckle onto the upper and lower
ball joints (Fig. 19).
(3) Install the upper and lower ball joint nuts.
Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 54 N´m (40 ft.
lbs.) (on 1500 series only an additional 90É turn is
required) and the lower ball joint nut to 52 N´m (38
ft. lbs.)(on 1500 series only an additional 90É turn is
required)(LD) or 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2).
(4) Remove the hydraulic jack from the lower sus-
pension arm.
(5) Install the tie rod end and tighten the nut to
61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the front halfshaft into the hub/bearing
(if equipped).
(7) Install the the halfshaft nut and tighten to 251
N´m (185 ft. lbs.) (if equipped).(8) Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/FRONT
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR - INSTALLATION) and
brake shield, rotor and caliper (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/
HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLA-
TION).
(9) Install the wheel and tire assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(10) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
(11) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
LOWER BALL JOINT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOWER BALL
JOINT
NOTE: If the ball joint is equipped with a lubrication
fitting, grease the joint then road test the vehicle
before performing test.
(1) Raise the front of the vehicle. Place safety floor
stands under both lower control arms as far outboard
as possible. Lower the vehicle to allow the stands to
support some or all of the vehicle weight.
(2) Mount a dial indicator solidly to the topside of
the lower control arm and then zero the dial indica-
tor.
(3) Position the indicator plunger against the bot-
tom surface of the steering knuckle.
NOTE: The dial indicator plunger must be perpen-
dicular to the machined surface of the steering
knuckle.
(4) Position a pry bar under the tire assembly. Pry
upwards on the tire assembly.
(5) If the travel exceeds 0.5 mm (0.020 in.), replace
the lower ball joint (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/LOWER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
(2) Remove the brake caliper and rotor (Refer to 5
- BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
REMOVAL).
(3) Disconnect the tie rod from the steering
knuckle (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/TIE
ROD END - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the steering knuckle (Fig. 20)(Refer to
2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - REMOVAL).
(5) Move the halfshaft to the side and support the
halfshaft out of the way (If Equipped).
Fig. 19 STEERING KNUCKLE
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - LOWER BALL JOINT NUT
DRFRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 2 - 19
KNUCKLE (Continued)

DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Stabilizer Bar
Frame Bolt61 45 Ð
Stabilizer Link
Lower Control Arm Nut102 75 Ð
Stabilizer Link
Axle Bracket71 52 Ð
Stabilizer Link
Stabilizer Bar Nut38 27 Ð
Hub/Bearing
Bolts202 149 Ð
Axle Nut 179 Beginning Torque,
Then Rotate 5 to 10
Times With a Final Torque
of 356132 Beginning Torque,
Then Rotate 5 to 10
Times With a Final Torque
of 263Ð
Tie Rod End
Nut75 55 Ð
NOTE: Suspension components with rubber/urethane bushings should be tightened with the vehicle at nor-
mal ride height. It is important to have the springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fasteners
are torqued. If springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected and pre-
mature bushing wear may occur.
SPECIAL TOOLS
9 1/4 AA
Puller C-3894±A
Remover, Wheel Stud C-4150A
BALL JOINT PRESS - C-4212F
REMOVER / INSTALLER BALLJOINT - 8445
2 - 30 FRONT - LINK/COILDR
FRONT - LINK/COIL (Continued)

HUB / BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the hub extension mounting nuts and
remove the extension from the rotor if equipped (Fig.
1).
(4) Remove the brake caliper, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the cotter pin and the hub nut from
the axle shaft (Fig. 2).
(6) Disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor wire
from under the hood. Remove the sensor wire from
the frame and steering knuckle if equipped.
(7) Back off the hub/bearing mounting bolts 1/4
inch each (Fig. 3). Then tap the bolts with a hammer
to loosen the hub/bearing from the steering knuckle.
(8) Remove the hub/bearing mounting bolts and
remove the hub/bearing.
(9) Remove the rotor assembly (Fig. 4), brake
shield and spacer from the steering knuckle.
RECEIVER CUP - 6761
BALLJOINT RECIEVER/INSTALLER KIT- 8975
Fig. 1 Hub Extension
1 - HUB EXTENSION
2 - HUB
Fig. 2 Hub Nut Cotter Pin
1 - HUB NUT
2 - COTTER PIN
Fig. 3 Hub/Bearing Mounting Bolts
1 - SOCKET AND EXTENSION
2 - ROTOR AND HUB
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
DRFRONT - LINK/COIL 2 - 31
FRONT - LINK/COIL (Continued)

(10) Press out the wheel studs/hub extension studs
and separate the rotor from the hub (Fig. 5).
(11) Remove the wheel speed sensor (Fig. 6) from
the hub bearing if equipped.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the wheel speed sensor in the hub bear-
ing if equipped.
(2) Position the rotor on the hub/bearing.(3) Press the wheel studs/hub extension studs
through the back side of the rotor and through the
hub bearing flange (Fig. 7).
(4) Apply a liberal quantity of anti-seize compound
to the splines of the front drive shaft.
(5) Insert the two rearmost, top and bottom rotor
hub bolts in the steering knuckle. Insert the bolts
through the back side of the knuckle so they extend
out the front face as shown.
Fig. 4 Rotor Hub/Bearing Assembly
1 - ROTOR AND HUB
2 - UNIT BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - SEAL
Fig. 5 ROTOR AND HUB/BEARING
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - ROTOR
Fig. 6 Wheel Speed Sensor
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
Fig. 7 Rotor, Hub/Bearing And Stud
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - ROTOR
3 - STUD
2 - 32 FRONT - LINK/COILDR
HUB / BEARING (Continued)