bad hub bearing assembly

[PowerstrokeAaron]

I just got my truck back from getting new tires put on and they told me one of the hub bearings is bad and the upper ball joint on the other side. I jacked it up and it shakes a bit, my question is will these come apart when driving. I am supposed to go somewhere for new years 4 hours away do you think it would make it? I am trying to get one to do it before I go and do the ball joints when i get back but has anyone ever lost a wheel due to this?

[ABoyAndHisToys]

I would'nt trust it... Mine came apart while driving and seized the wheel to the caliper. When all was said and done I spent $300 on tows, $400 for the assembly and $200 on brake parts. Just replace it and save yourself the extra costs. JMO

[BIGBILL105 45]

Mine was bad for well over a year. If you got the time, I'd fix it before you leave.

[phantom-3k]

how can you tell when hub bearings go bad??? i know how to check ball joints but im concerned about bearings just in general. thanks!

[ms8091]

I just had mine go bad a few weeks ago. It took 1 1/2 weeks to go from a slight noise to no needle bearings left. I was an hour from home, I locked the hubs and limped it home. I managed to get it home but killed the hub, the manual lockout and my brake rotor. Replacing the hub takes about an hour, you'll be happy you did it. As far as ball joints, my dodge had bad ones for a year before I finally checked them and when I jacked up the truck and took off the nuts, one tap from the hammer exploded them, center pin fell right out. I personally wouldn't chance it.

[PowerstrokeAaron]

can just the bearings be replaced or do i have to do the whole assembly?

[ms8091]

I know on the '99-'03, you can replace the needle bearings that are between the hub and the stub shaft, but not the hub bearings themselves. I believe OBS trucks you can replace the bearings on, but you are better off buying the whole hub w/ needle bearings and replacing as a unit. If you have an early '99, you can put on late '99 hubs w/ LATE '99 Rotors and save a bunch of money.