Suspect Left Hub Assembly Going Down... Please Advise

[green 788]

Truck is a 1996 GMC, 3500 4x4.

 

Ticking sound coming from front left wheel. Does not tick when the truck is on a jack, only ticks when the truck is rolling on the road.

 

Mechanic said wheel bearing was going out (or gone)...

 

Question:

 

Do you have to replace that entire 300+ dollar hub assembly just to correct a bad bearing?

 

Or is there some way to replace the bearing without replacing the whole hub assembly?

 

Any special tools required to replace bearing (or entire assembly)?

 

Thanks,

Dan

[2000DV4.8]

Truck is a 1996 GMC, 3500 4x4.

 

Ticking sound coming from front left wheel. Does not tick when the truck is on a jack, only ticks when the truck is rolling on the road.

 

Mechanic said wheel bearing was going out (or gone)...

 

Question:

 

Do you have to replace that entire 300+ dollar hub assembly just to correct a bad bearing?

Yes, you have to replace the whole assembly, but there are places that have them cheaper than dealer prices.

 

Or is there some way to replace the bearing without replacing the whole hub assembly?

Nope.

 

Any special tools required to replace bearing (or entire assembly)?

Not sure about the size on your 1-ton, but on my truck I needed a 36mm socket to get the nut off that holds the CV axle into the hub assembly.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[TXD]

with the front end hanging in the air on jack stands, grab the top and bottom of the tire. if you can rock it in and out, top to bottom not side to side, then the hub is on its way out. the hub for the H-2 is the same device as that for the HD's. my connection at the dealer informed me on this and it was a few bucks cheaper too. great write up here

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71798

 

edit: i forgot the year of your vehicle when i posted this. i am unsure on the year of yours

[green 788]

Thanks for the reply, and the info. I'll keep that all in mind for future reference.

 

As for now, I got lucky and my ticking sound was actually a wheel simulator that was scuffing against the wheel. I removed it and the noise went away. I guess the truck's weight had to be on the front wheel before it would flex enough to make the simulator scrape the wheel.

 

Dan