This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a press-in front wheel bearing on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 4WD and 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, requiring hub disassembly and bearing press operations.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM or quality aftermarket bearing
• Front hub seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake cleaner × 1 — Aerosol can
• High-temperature wheel bearing grease × 1 — NLGI Grade 2

Fluids

• 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil — 1.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels securely
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise front of vehicle and support on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove front wheel on affected side
6. Allow brakes and drivetrain components to cool if recently driven

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts and hang the caliper with wire or bungee cord to avoid stressing the brake hose. Do not let caliper hang by the brake line. Remove the brake rotor. If rotor is stuck, use penetrating oil on hub and tap with plastic hammer.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor mounted to the steering knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector. Remove the ABS sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle bore. Inspect sensor tip for damage or debris.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove axle nut and mark components
   Remove and discard the cotter pin from the axle nut. Have an assistant apply brakes or use a pry bar to prevent axle rotation. Use a 36mm socket and breaker bar to remove the axle nut. Mark the relationship between the CV shaft and hub for reassembly reference.
   ⚠Axle nut is under high torque. Use proper size socket to avoid rounding.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect upper ball joint and steering linkage
   Remove the upper ball joint castle nut and use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Remove the tie rod end castle nut and separate the tie rod from the knuckle using appropriate puller. Support the knuckle to prevent damage to CV boot.
5. 5

   Remove hub mounting bolts and extract hub
   From the back of the steering knuckle, locate and remove the four hub mounting bolts. These bolts secure the hub assembly to the knuckle. Use penetrating oil if necessary. Carefully tap the hub from behind with a brass hammer to break it free from the knuckle bore. Remove the hub assembly.
   ⚠Hub bolts may have threadlocker. Apply heat carefully if needed.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove old bearing races from hub
   Using a hydraulic press and appropriate bearing separator tool, press the inner and outer bearing races from the hub. Support the hub properly on press plates to avoid damage. Inspect the hub bore for scoring, cracks, or damage. Clean the hub bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and wire brush.
   ⚠️Wear safety glasses during press operations. Bearing races can fracture under pressure.
7. 7

   Remove and inspect seal
   Remove the old seal from the back of the hub using a seal puller or screwdriver. Inspect the seal surface on the CV axle for wear or scoring that could damage the new seal. Clean the seal bore in the hub thoroughly.
8. 8

   Press new bearing races into hub
   Place the hub on the hydraulic press with the front side down, supported on press plates. Position the new outer bearing race squarely in the hub bore. Use a bearing race driver sized to contact only the outer edge of the race. Press the race until fully seated. Flip the hub and repeat for the inner race. Verify both races are fully seated and square by measuring depth at multiple points.
   ⚠Press only on the outer edge of bearing races. Pressing on inner diameter will damage the race.
   ℹ️Some technicians prefer to heat the hub to 200-250°F to ease race installation and create interference fit.
9. 9

   Pack bearings and install in hub
   Pack the new wheel bearings thoroughly with high-temperature wheel bearing grease. Ensure grease fills all spaces between rollers. Place the inner bearing into the inner race in the hub. Apply a thin coat of grease to the seal lip and seal bore.
10. 10

    Install new seal
    Position the new seal squarely over the hub bore with the seal lip facing inward toward the bearing. Using a seal driver or large socket that contacts only the outer edge of the seal, carefully drive or press the seal into place until it is flush with the back of the hub. Verify the seal is seated evenly around its circumference.
11. 11

    Install hub assembly to knuckle
    Clean the knuckle hub bore with brake cleaner. Apply a thin film of anti-seize compound to the knuckle hub mounting surface (not the bore). Install the outer bearing into the outer race in the hub. Carefully slide the hub assembly onto the CV axle shaft and position it to the steering knuckle, ensuring the ABS tone ring (if integral) is properly oriented.
12. 12

    Install and torque hub bolts
    Insert the four hub mounting bolts from the rear of the knuckle. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to bolt threads. Install bolts finger-tight, then torque in a cross pattern to 101 lb-ft (137 Nm). Verify all bolts are properly torqued.
    ⚠Hub bolts must be torqued in cross pattern to ensure even seating. Critical safety fastener.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect steering and suspension components
    Reconnect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle and install the castle nut to specification. Install new cotter pin. Reconnect the tie rod end and torque castle nut to specification with new cotter pin. Ensure all connections are secure.
14. 14

    Install and torque axle nut
    Clean the axle shaft threads with a wire brush. Install the new axle nut and torque to 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) while preventing axle rotation by having an assistant apply brakes. Align the castellations with the cotter pin hole in the axle shaft. Install a new cotter pin and bend ends to secure.
    ⚠️Axle nut torque is critical for bearing preload and wheel retention. Use calibrated torque wrench.
    ℹ️If castellations do not align with cotter pin hole, tighten nut slightly more (never loosen).
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall ABS sensor, brake components, and wheel
    Clean the ABS sensor bore and sensor tip with brake cleaner. Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the sensor O-ring. Install the ABS sensor and torque mounting bolt to 11 lb-ft (15 Nm). Reconnect the ABS sensor connector. Install the brake rotor and caliper. Install the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts. Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts to 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification
2. Check that ABS sensor is properly seated and connector is secure
3. Ensure no tools or parts were left in wheel well area
4. Pump brake pedal several times to restore brake pressure before moving vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no abnormal noises from wheel bearing
• Check for proper wheel tracking and no vibration
• Verify ABS system functions properly with no warning lights
• Perform a final torque check on lug nuts after 50-100 miles
• Check for any fluid leaks around CV axle seal area
• Rotate wheel by hand with vehicle raised to verify smooth rotation with no binding or excessive play

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