Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

Remove and replace the press-in rear wheel bearing on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins Diesel, including axle shaft removal, bearing extraction, and installation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Differential cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification or RTV sealant
• Axle nut cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake cleaner spray × 1 — Non-chlorinated type

Fluids

• Mopar 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant — 2.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, then raise rear of vehicle and support on jack stands at frame rails.
3. Remove rear wheel from side requiring bearing replacement.
4. Place drain pan under differential cover.
5. Mark driveshaft and pinion flange position with paint or punch marks for reinstallation alignment.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove driveshaft
   Remove the four U-joint strap bolts at the rear differential pinion flange. Support the driveshaft and slide it rearward off the pinion flange. Secure driveshaft out of the way by tying it to the frame or exhaust hanger to prevent damage to the transfer case output seal.
   Torque spec

   Driveshaft U-Joint Straps20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the rear axle housing near the backing plate. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the ABS sensor bolt. Carefully withdraw the sensor from the housing to prevent damage to the sensor tip. Secure sensor away from work area.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove axle nut and brake components
   Remove the cotter pin from the axle nut using side cutters or pliers. Using a large socket (typically 36mm) and breaker bar, remove the axle nut from the end of the axle shaft. Remove the brake caliper and caliper bracket as an assembly (if disc brakes) or brake drum (if drum brakes) to access the axle flange. Support caliper with wire to prevent brake hose damage.
   ⚠Do not let brake caliper hang by the brake hose. This can damage the hose internally.
   Torque spec

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

   Drain differential and remove cover
   Remove all differential cover bolts except the top two, allowing gear oil to drain into the pan. Once drained, remove the remaining bolts and carefully pry the cover off using a large scraper or pry bar. Clean the gasket surface on both the cover and housing thoroughly with a gasket scraper and brake cleaner.
   ⚠Gear oil may still be warm. Allow to cool if vehicle was recently driven.
   Torque spec

   Differential Cover Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove differential pinion shaft and C-clip
   Inside the differential, locate the pinion shaft lock bolt at the rear of the carrier. Remove this bolt and withdraw the pinion shaft. Push the axle shaft inward toward the center of the vehicle to expose the C-clip retainer at the inner end of the axle shaft. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the C-clip from the groove in the axle shaft.
6. 6

   Extract axle shaft
   Carefully pull the axle shaft outward from the axle housing. The shaft should slide out once the C-clip is removed. Support the shaft as it clears the housing to prevent it from falling. Inspect the axle seal at the housing opening; if damaged or leaking, it should be replaced. Set the axle shaft on a clean surface.
   ⚠Axle shaft weighs approximately 30-40 pounds. Use proper lifting technique and have assistance if needed.
7. 7

   Remove hub bolts and backing plate
   From the outer end of the axle housing, remove the hub mounting bolts that secure the wheel hub assembly to the axle housing flange. There are typically 4-8 bolts depending on the axle configuration. Remove the backing plate (brake backing plate for drum brakes or dust shield for disc brakes) and set aside.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Extract wheel hub and bearing assembly
   The wheel hub with the pressed-in bearing is still in the axle housing. Using a slide hammer with appropriate axle bearing puller attachments, thread the puller into the hub or behind the bearing race. Apply steady force with the slide hammer to extract the hub and bearing assembly from the axle housing. This may require significant force. Inspect the bearing seat in the housing for damage, scoring, or rust.
   ⚠Ensure slide hammer attachment is properly secured before pulling to prevent tool detachment and injury.
9. 9

   Press bearing from hub
   With the hub removed from the housing, place the hub assembly on a hydraulic press with the bearing facing down. Use a bearing separator tool to support the hub while pressing the bearing out from above. Apply steady pressure until the bearing is completely removed from the hub. Clean the hub bearing bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and inspect for any damage or wear that would prevent proper new bearing installation.
   ⚠️Wear safety glasses and keep hands clear of press ram and components. Bearings can fragment under pressure.
10. 10

    Press new bearing into hub
    Place the hub on the press with the bearing bore facing up. Position the new bearing squarely on the hub, ensuring proper orientation (sealed side typically faces outward). Use a bearing race driver or appropriately sized driver that contacts only the outer race of the bearing. Apply steady, even pressure to press the bearing into the hub until it is fully seated against the shoulder. Verify seating by checking that the bearing is flush and even around the entire circumference.
    ⚠Press only on the outer race when installing the bearing. Pressing on the inner race, balls, or seal will damage the bearing.
11. 11

    Install hub assembly into axle housing
    Clean the bearing bore in the axle housing with brake cleaner and a wire brush to remove any rust or debris. Apply a thin coat of gear oil to the outer race of the new bearing. Using a bearing race driver or large socket that contacts only the outer race, carefully drive the hub and bearing assembly into the axle housing. Drive the assembly in squarely, alternating around the circumference to prevent cocking. Continue until the hub flange is fully seated against the axle housing face.
12. 12

    Install backing plate and hub bolts
    Position the backing plate or dust shield over the hub studs and align it to the axle housing. Install all hub mounting bolts and tighten in a star pattern to ensure even clamping force and proper hub seating. Torque bolts to specification.
    Torque spec

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

    Replace axle seal and reinstall axle shaft
    If the axle seal shows any signs of wear or leakage, drive out the old seal using a seal puller or carefully with a screwdriver. Install the new seal using an appropriately sized seal driver, ensuring it is driven in straight and fully seated. Lubricate the seal lip with gear oil. Carefully slide the axle shaft back into the housing, being careful not to damage the seal lip. Push the shaft in until it engages with the differential side gear.
14. 14

    Install C-clip and pinion shaft
    Push the axle shaft inward toward the differential to expose the C-clip groove. Install the C-clip into the groove at the inner end of the axle shaft using needle-nose pliers, ensuring it is fully seated in the groove. Pull the axle shaft outward to seat the C-clip against the differential side gear. Insert the pinion shaft through the differential case and side gears, aligning the lock bolt hole. Install and tighten the pinion shaft lock bolt.
15. 15

    Reinstall differential cover and refill
    Install a new differential cover gasket or apply a 1/8-inch bead of RTV silicone to the cover mating surface. Position the cover on the housing and install all cover bolts finger-tight. Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern to specification. Allow RTV to cure if used (typically 1 hour before filling). Remove the differential fill plug and add Mopar 75W-140 synthetic gear oil until it begins to seep from the fill hole. Reinstall fill plug.
    Torque spec

    Differential Cover Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reinstall brake components and axle nut
    Reinstall the brake drum or brake caliper assembly that was removed earlier. Clean the axle threads and install the axle nut. Torque the axle nut to specification. Install a new cotter pin through the axle shaft and nut, bending the ends to secure. If the nut uses a stake lock instead of cotter pin, stake the nut collar into the axle shaft groove using a punch.
    ⚠Always use a new cotter pin. Never reuse old cotter pins as they may be weakened.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Reinstall ABS sensor and driveshaft
    Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the ABS sensor and insert it into the axle housing. Install the sensor bolt and torque to specification. Reconnect the electrical connector. Align the driveshaft to the pinion flange using the alignment marks made during disassembly. Install the U-joint strap bolts and torque evenly in a crisscross pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

    Driveshaft U-Joint Straps20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel and torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification while vehicle is still on jack stands.
2. Lower vehicle to the ground and perform final lug nut torque verification.
3. Check differential fluid level after a short test drive and top off if necessary.
4. Inspect for any fluid leaks around the differential cover and axle seal after test drive.

Verification

• Rotate the wheel by hand to verify smooth bearing operation with no grinding, roughness, or excessive play.
• Check that the axle nut is properly torqued and the cotter pin is installed and bent correctly.
• Test drive the vehicle and verify no abnormal noises from the rear axle, no vibration, and proper ABS function.
• Verify no gear oil leaks from the differential cover or axle seal after test drive.
• Confirm that all hub bolts are torqued correctly and there is no wheel runout or wobble.

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