'97 Wheel Bearing Change Questions

led rocker · #1 06-23-2011, 11:40 AM

Howdy all, I'm going to delve into the world of changing my front wheel bearings this afternoon and was looking for any suggestions or pointers that anyone may have. It's a 1997 2wd, 2.3l.

Should I swap out brake pads since I'll have it all apart anyway? And maybe replace the front shocks? I think they were both last changed about 2 years ago. Thinking it might make sense because it will be torn apart.

Thanks.

DiabloBlanco · #2 06-23-2011, 11:43 AM

Get a good slide hammer. The seal is going to be the hardest part of this job and Id replace the shocks and pads.

led rocker · #3 06-23-2011, 11:55 AM

Should I go with a Rancho type front shock or just a mid range house brand?

DiabloBlanco · #4 06-23-2011, 11:57 AM

Whatever you want man, its your truck! If i had the money Id get rancho 5000s

led rocker · #5 06-23-2011, 12:04 PM

I'm leaning towards the Ranchos. I've always felt that the front end was sort of disproportionately heavy and could probably use a beefier shock.

DiabloBlanco · #6 06-23-2011, 12:08 PM

they are good shocks for sure

brinker88 · #7 06-23-2011, 12:24 PM

Rough country makes a HELL of a good nitro shock. I prefer them over any decent shock out there. On the cheaper side too.

led rocker · #8 06-23-2011, 12:52 PM

Whoa, that's a pretty good price on the rough country. Good on a stock truck?

brinker88 · #9 06-23-2011, 01:05 PM

Have em on mine and mine only has a leveling kit.

drppdyllwrngr · #10 06-23-2011, 03:34 PM

i did mine back in april. no special tools needed other than something to press the races in and out. i ended up with new rotors with them already installed. other than that, took about 2 hours. i replaced calipers as well as i was doing new rotors.

traacer · #11 06-23-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drppdyllwrngr

i did mine back in april. no special tools needed other than something to press the races in and out. i ended up with new rotors with them already installed. other than that, took about 2 hours. i replaced calipers as well as i was doing new rotors.

you can save yourself the hassle of taking the races out if you do the rotors at the same time. Did my breaks/bearings/calipers/pads/springs all in one shot. The rotors I got had the races and lug bolts already pressed in.

drppdyllwrngr · #12 06-23-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traacer

you can save yourself the hassle of taking the races out if you do the rotors at the same time. Did my breaks/bearings/calipers/pads/springs all in one shot. The rotors I got had the races and lug bolts already pressed in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drppdyllwrngr

i ended up with new rotors with them already installed.

i replaced the races the first time because i didn't replace the rotors, but found out the old bearing was so far gone that it destroyed the inside of the rotor, hence why i bought new ones.