carrier bearing

[71MUTT]

Should I be able to push up the drive shaft up a half inch inside the carrier bearing or should this be solid inside the hanger? I always thought it was solid. Was going to go trailer a 72 GMC back from Geogia tommorrow. Was just looking at this.

[71MUTT]

While I was getting things ready for the Georgia trip, I sent the wife to Advanced Auto Parts to get the carrier bearing. I called first and she said they had one. She comes home with a computer printout with all the correct info, but the wrong carrier bearing. Now the place is closed and I'm screwed. Could someone go out and rattle the drive shaft at the carrier bearing and see if it moves 1/2 inch or so. I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

[Sport/Truck]

I not 100% on this but on a car I just sold had 2 carrier bearings and it was basically a rubber mount that allowed some movement. Are you getting any vibration now?

[rage'nrat638]

the carrier bearing is pressed on the drive shaft yoke..

there are a few different types a tear drop and a u shaped are the most used types.

the bearing is mounted in rubber and moves very hard up and down, if it's floppy it's shot

[71MUTT]

Are you getting any vibration now?

No vibration. Just seems that most of the rubber is missing. I changed it last time it went bad. I looked in my book and it was in 1995. Doesn't seem that long ago. Have put on 34,000 miles since. That means it's probably bad.

if it's floppy it's shot

I remember last time it went bad it was banging pretty loud at start out speeds. This sucks. New project for tomorrow.
Thanks for your help, guys.

[71MUTT]

I hope everyone is having a good day. Thanks for reading my thread and helping out if you can. Got the correct carrier bearing this morning. I have the driveshaft off. Is there anyway to tell if the universals are bad? If you grab the drivshaft and twist back and forth by the universal, should there be any movement at all? I really enjoy doing my own work, but I'm not very knowledgeable. Just the basics can be a challenge. I might have road the short bus in an earlier stage of my life.
Any help would be appreciated. Anybody that needs pic, let me know.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

move the u-joints around and if they move smoothly then they are fine but if they feel grittey or stuck then they are bad so look for smooth free movement and the carrier will move around a bit since its rubber mounted about a 1/2 inch or so

[71MUTT]

Originally Posted by GREASEMONKEY72

look for smooth free movement and the carrier will move around a bit since its rubber mounted about a 1/2 inch or so

Thanks, with that said, the U-joints seem fine. Pounded the bearing off the shaft with a chisel and hammer. Put the new one on by pressing it on with the yoke, while tightening the bolt. Hope this is alright. The sad thing is that the bearing is still good. All the rubber breaks free between the hanger and the bearing. Oh well, thanks for the info and the great FAQ section.