Seems like I will need to replace the head bearing on my 99 1500. I have a dead spot in the steering wheel does the entire front end need to come off for this job?
Yes, it does. Just did it last Winter on my '01....The big problem is the cups in the neck. There is a special tool that the dealer is supposed to have to take them out. I made my own from drawings in the service manual. I also drilled and put in a grease fitting on the right side of the neck to make packing the bearings an easy job. If this is not something you have done before, you might find it a very complicated job. I'll be glad to send you the instructions and drawings via email, or post them for everybody to see....
Thanks Troll
"IF" I decided to let the dealer handle this job, how many hours would you estimate the job should take?
Any estimate I would have can only be based on my experience. I have no heat in my garage, and I could only work on it when the temps were above 20. It's not a hard job, just tedious. I would have to guess, that with the right tools and heat, so your hands keep functioning, maybe 2 hours..I dumped my fork oil, replaced the springs and polished the lower legs during the process, so the actual bearing replacement is lost in the mix. The big thing I had to deal with was the cup removal...I had to make a tool.
Troll if you do the write-up and provide the pics I'll post a page in the mods area.
I don't have much for pictures, but I'll see what I have that might be useful..since I only worked for short periods at a time, didn't really think to bring a camera out...