2WD wheel bearing?

On my "new" 97 Dakota, starting last evening and continuing today, there is a speed-related "wump wump wump" sound from what appears to be the front end. Normally, I'd think tires, but the odds are slim, as they are brand new, all four, perhaps a month old with only 100's of miles on them.

The only wheel bearing failures I have ever experienced was on my D200, and those suckers just broke! No warning, no nothing, just instant failure.

Might this be wheel bearings? No change in the sound when braking...

Jack it up and check for play. BTW even new tires can be bad.

I know new not automatically mean good. I'll get a jack under it.

Front wheel bearings are a unit deal these days (those days, 97) and are pretty easy to deal with, once you get past the price. Gene

Put it on the jack tonight, it's the bearing. My local NAPA has one in stock, I'll pick it up in the morning. Hopefully they have the axle nut, too.

$84.00 with tax each, plus the nuts, about the same most places, but no waiting. I'll do the other side when I do the brakes later.

Thanks all!

Not to ask dumb questions but you do have a torque wrench, right? Did my sons a short while back and IIRC, torque is in the 180 range?


Tim

Yup, I do. Can't be wrenching if you don't have the tools! Of course, of my selection of BIG sockets, I didn't have a 1.375, so off to Fleet Farm to get one.

Seems that the shop that installed the tires a few weeks ago forgot to tighten all but one lug nut on the failed side... Can't prove it now, but I'd bet THEY caused it to fail!

Anyway, it's on redundant stands, nut loosened, brake caliper bolts soaking. The new center nut won't be in until Monday night anyway, so slow and steady she goes!

Yes on the torque wrenches, I have three of them. It's 185 ft/lbs. If mine doesn't go high enough, I'll bring one home from work (it's about 5' long, it'll go to 185! )

If the nut isnt damaged you dont need a new one.That and they really dont need torqued.Did tons at work and only torqued the first few.Rocky