OEM 2002 Dodge Stratus Wheel Bearing

2002 Dodge Stratus Wheel Bearing Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Front Wheel Bearing on 2002 Dodge Stratus?

  A: Before servicing the front wheel bearing, lift the vehicle, remove the front tire and wheel assembly and make sure the hub nut is not loose so the bearing isn't damaged. First apply the brakes and loosen the nut on the hub, then remove the caliper, adapter, shoes and rotor from the steering knuckle. Hold the stud using a socket while you unscrew the nut on the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Then, use Remover, Special Tool MB-991113, to take the tie rod end off. When the vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, you should take the speed sensor cable routing bracket off the steering knuckle. Next, disconnect the cotter pin and remove the castle nut from the lower ball joint stud, making sure there's no tool inside where the steering knuckle and the lower ball joint meet. Wheel the steering knuckle away from the lower arm and strike the boss onto the steering knuckle with a hammer to remove the lower ball joint stud, always avoiding damage to the lower control arm and seal. Separate the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint stud, being careful as you do so not to damage the small CV joint near the axle and support the driveshaft at the same time. Take the steering knuckle apart from the outer C/V joint, remove the upper ball joint nut, use Puller, Special Tool C3894-A, to remove the stud and then separate the steering knuckle from the car. Use a vise to secure the steering knuckle, unscrew the three bolts holding the hub and bearing assembly and remove them from the steering knuckle if the hub won't come loose. First, clean the places on the steering knuckle where the hub and bearing will be installed, fit the new assembly, ensure the bolt holes are aligned and then tighten the three bolts to 110 Nm (80 ft. lbs.). Insert the driveshaft into the hub and bearing housing, followed by putting the steering knuckle over the lower control arm ball joint and tightening it with the castle nut. Fit the steering knuckle to the ball joint stud at the top and install the nut, then tighten both the upper and lower ball joint nuts-to 74 Nm (55 ft. lbs.) and 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.)-and finally put a cotter pin into the lower stud. If you have antilock brakes, place the speed sensor cable routing bracket over the sensor and tighten the supplied bolt. Fit the heat shield below the tie rod end, then tighten the nut at the top to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) by stopping movement in the stud. Replace the brake rotor, caliper, shoes and adapter assembly, then wipe the outside of the C/V joint stub axle and attach the hub nut with 203 Nm (150 ft. lbs.) torque while the brakes are applied. After that, install the wheel and tire combination, tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross manner to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.), lower the car onto the ground and adjust the front toe to the correct setting.