Wheel Bearing Hub - Front

Remove and replace the front wheel bearing hub assembly on a 1992 Dodge Viper, including ABS sensor removal, brake caliper/rotor clearance, and hub mounting bolt service.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut cotter pin × 1 — Replace every time axle nut is removed
• Medium-strength threadlocker × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on the ground
3. Remove the cotter pin from the axle nut and loosen (but do not remove) the 36mm axle nut while vehicle is on the ground with brakes applied
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove front wheel completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   The 1992 Viper RT/10 is not equipped with ABS; there is no wheel speed sensor to remove. Skip this step and proceed to brake caliper removal.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper and bracket
   Remove the two caliper mounting bolts and lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with wire or a bungee cord to avoid stressing the brake hose—do not let it hang by the hose. Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the steering knuckle. Remove the bracket completely to gain clearance for hub removal.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Slide the brake rotor off the hub studs. If the rotor is stuck due to corrosion, tap gently with a rubber mallet on the rotor face (avoiding the friction surface) or use penetrating oil around the hub pilot. On this generation Viper, the rotor should lift free once the caliper bracket is removed.
4. 4

   Remove axle nut
   This RWD vehicle has non-driven front wheels with a bolt-on hub bearing; there is no front axle nut to remove. Skip this step.
5. 5

   Remove hub mounting bolts
   From the rear of the steering knuckle (behind the hub assembly), locate and remove the 4 bolts securing the hub bearing assembly to the knuckle. These bolts pass through the knuckle from the back and thread into the hub bearing flange. Use a socket and extension to access them. Note the presence of any threadlocker residue on the bolt threads.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Separate hub from knuckle
   With all mounting bolts removed, pull the hub assembly forward off the steering knuckle. If the hub is stuck to the knuckle, use a pry bar or soft-faced mallet to break the corrosion seal. If the hub is severely seized, a hub puller may be required—apply force evenly to avoid damaging the knuckle.
   ⚠Do not strike the CV axle shaft directly with a hammer. This can damage the axle or inner CV joint.
7. 7

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Thoroughly clean the hub mounting face on the steering knuckle using a wire brush and solvent. Remove all corrosion, old threadlocker residue, and debris from the knuckle bore and bolt holes. Inspect the knuckle for cracks or damage. Clean the axle splines with a wire brush and inspect for wear or damage.
8. 8

   Install new hub assembly
   Position the new hub bearing assembly against the steering knuckle, aligning the hub mounting flange with the bolt holes in the rear of the knuckle. Push the hub fully into position against the knuckle face. Ensure the hub is seated flush before installing bolts. Note: Verify the new hub bearing assembly is clean and undamaged, and that the mounting flange is free of debris before installation.
   ℹ️Verify that the ABS tone ring (integrated into the hub assembly) is undamaged and properly oriented toward the sensor mounting location.
9. 9

   Install hub mounting bolts
   Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the threads of the 4 hub mounting bolts. Insert the bolts from the rear of the knuckle and thread them into the hub bearing flange by hand. Tighten the bolts in a cross-pattern to the factory-specified torque (verify hub mounting bolt spec in the Viper service manual) to ensure even seating of the hub against the knuckle.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install axle nut
    There is no front axle nut on this vehicle; skip this step and proceed to brake rotor reinstallation.
11. 11

    Reinstall brake rotor
    Slide the brake rotor onto the hub studs, ensuring it seats fully against the hub face. If the rotor has directional cooling vanes, verify correct orientation per rotor markings.
12. 12

    Reinstall brake caliper bracket and caliper
    Position the caliper bracket on the steering knuckle and install the two bracket bolts. Torque the bracket bolts to 120 Nm (88 lb-ft) in a cross-pattern. Place the brake caliper over the rotor and bracket, and install the caliper mounting bolts. Torque per manufacturer specification (typically 45-55 Nm, though not provided in database).
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall ABS wheel speed sensor
    The 1992 Viper RT/10 is not equipped with ABS; there is no wheel speed sensor to reinstall. Skip this step. engages. Route the sensor harness away from moving components and heat sources.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the front wheel and thread the lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to approximately 50 Nm to hold the wheel in place. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but the full weight is not yet on the suspension. This allows final torque of the axle nut with the wheel prevented from rotating.
15. 15

    Final torque axle nut and install cotter pin
    There is no front axle nut on this vehicle, so no final axle-nut torque or cotter pin is required. Fully lower the vehicle and torque the wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification (verify spec in the Viper service manual).ure. Fully lower the vehicle and torque the wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification (typically 135-150 Nm for this vehicle).
    ⚠Never loosen the axle nut to align the cotter pin hole. Always tighten to the next alignment position.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the step-by-step procedure above, as installation mirrors removal with specific torque sequences
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Verify brake caliper mounting hardware is torqued correctly before test driving

Verification

• Rotate the wheel by hand to verify smooth bearing operation with no grinding, binding, or excessive play
• Check for axial (in-and-out) play by grasping the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and attempting to rock it—there should be no perceptible movement
• Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light extinguishes after a few seconds (indicating proper sensor function)
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area and verify no vibration, noise, or pulling during braking
• Re-check axle nut torque and cotter pin security after the first 50-100 miles of driving

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