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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
My 50 year old unit is loose. I just picked up a billet polyurethane unit from Brother's. The truck is on jack stands.
Am I opening a can of worms? |
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#2 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,433
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Not too tough, though the parts could be pretty well stuck together. A little PB Baster or some such will be of great help. Two things-
1. Make sure that that you put the rear shaft back the way you found it, rotationally, with the front shaft. It's a balanced assembly, and it you get it out of phase, you'll be chasing your tail to get the vibration gone. 2. Make sure that you have the weight of your truck completely on the rear tires when you install the center support on the frame, so that the center support is...centered, in terms of drive line travel when underway. Depending on how long it's been, you might want to pull the u-joints apart and lube them, if they don't have grease fittings. Based on what I'm seeing, they have no Zerk fittings. ETA- I do see a Zerk fitting on the second shaft section, at the front. I'm that picky essobee that would take it apart anyway, just because.
__________________
~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#3 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Quote:
So the two shaft pieces just need to be indexed to each other, and not to the transmission housing or the rearend housing in any way? When I pull the shaft out of the transmission, and when I pull the other end out of the rearend, should I expect any fluids to come rushing out? Last edited by ShortCST; 09-06-2017 at 10:44 PM. Reason: typo |
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#4 |
the boat guy
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: springfield mo
Posts: 2,339
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
I've been building and repairing driveshafts for 10 years.
1. Yes its a can of worms. The driveshaft needs to be rebalanced when the carrier bearing is replaced. Use the search function for carrier bearing. Many stories of them braking in a couple of weeks. Having the same problem over and over until its rebalanced. 2. The billit carrier bearing mounts the driveshaft solid to the frame.... and to the rear end that moves around! The billit carrier bearing requires the addition of a slip and stub in the rear shaft... and rebalanced. This isn't a job that I would do at home and id question a professional driveline shop. The driveshaft must be balanced complete as an assembly. Machine shops don't buy $50,000 driveshaft balancers and we have 2 that are 15' long. Your brothers truck is better off with the beat up carrier bearing than the new billit piece. Go get your $100 back for that junk and have a professional driveline shop rebuild and balance the driveshaft with non greaseable ujoints and factory style carrier bearing. |
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#5 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,887
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Quote:
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Ok, so I'll just put it back on the ground, and start calling drivetrain shops tomorrow. I'm not far from Inland Empire Driveline, so I'll check with them first.
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#7 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,249
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Quote:
On a side, it boggles my brain thinking about why it matters how the slip yokes (two piece driveshaft) themselves are installed. I see no distinguishable differences on the spindles, exception being the transmission yoke has one larger gap between spindles. I see no such variance on the spindles in the transmission. I read that gap is common for transmission slip yokes, for multi-purpose applications. I also read the gap in the slip yoke was "to release air". ![]()
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 09-07-2017 at 01:06 AM. |
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#8 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,433
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
I have replaced hundreds of u-joints and dozens of center supports and bearings, and have never had a balance problem afterward. I've only ever had a driveshaft balanced if it had been shortened or lengthened.
__________________
~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
I'm going to drive to Inland Empire Driveline and get a quote. If it's more than I want to spend, I guess I'll attempt it myself in the driveway.
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,964
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
i am not a driveline expert so perhaps I've just been a lucky idiot when replacing these myself. Never had a problem and never rebalanced (never read anything in the service manuals that even recommended it), but I did always use stock over the counter parts store stuff.
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,964
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lowell AR
Posts: 360
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
When I did mine I marked everything before I took it apart so it will go together just like it was. I replaced all the u-joints and bearing. It is so smooth now.
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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698292 |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
The guy at Inland Empire todaytold me that lowering the truck (2" front/3" rear) is what blew the old rubber bearing carrier out. He said that for $400, they rebuild the shaft with a slip yoke for movement, rebalance the assembly, install all new u-joints, and use one of their rigid polyurethane bearing carriers.
Sound about right? |
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#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: yucca valley
Posts: 239
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Try JE reel drive shafts in Pomona ca
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#15 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,193
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Dropping the rear 3" will move the rear end forward approx 1/2" to 3/4".
The center bearing in your pic shows the flange on the rear shaft almost hard up against the carrier bearing outer face...but... The bearing carrier itself appears to be at the very rear of the slots in the carrier frame. The support bracket for the center bearing has slotted grooves to permit final adjustment of the center bearing carrier. The center bearing carrier should not be fully tightened during reassembly until the full weight of the truck rear is loaded to the rear axle...support the rear axle on stands, then set the carrier bearing position in the slots to give you approx 1/2 " clearance to the flange. You can save a large amount of cash by replacing the center carrier yourself and follow the correct setup process. A drop of 3 inches does not require an expensive slider style rear half process. if it was 6 or 8 then you should be going that expensive route. Also...stay away from billet carriers...they dont provide the longitudinal movement needed in the design. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#16 | |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,433
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Quote:
__________________
~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#17 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,193
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
All good advice Steeveedee...
That truck in the sig looks sweet... Stay safe mate ... ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#18 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
So I shouldn't have Inland Empire rebuild and rebalance my driveshaft with their billet poly bearing carrier for $400? If I remember correctly, they enjoy a pretty good reputation.
The reason that I went down there in the first place, is that I watched more than one YouTube video where a guy in his driveway wasn't having a ton of fun getting the old bearing off, and the new bearing on. Using a torch, using a jack... Isn't it worth the money to have a reputable shop rebuild it for me? And if that reputable shop uses billet/polyurethane bearing carriers, shouldn't I trust them? If it's that shop that measured the shaft today with the truck on the ground, shouldn't I be safe with the assembly that they build me? I REALLY appreciate all of the opinions, by the way. Last edited by ShortCST; 09-07-2017 at 08:41 PM. Reason: update |
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#19 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,193
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Afterall, its your money and truck my friend...
I have done lots of these and have had little to no issues...just use lots of patience... I installed one billet support, once, for less than 30 minutes...never again...the vibrations were not acceptable... I dropped the shaft back out again and put a standard unit in...that was five years ago...no vibrations, no issues...just take your time... Ask em how much to put a standard carrier instead of the billet unit.? Stay safe...conserve those dollars... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,964
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Did not realize your truck was lowered. While I am a big fan of IE Driveline (I went to them for driveshaft parts and to shorten a single 66 driveshaft when I stuck a T5 in it. They are very knowledgeable), I'd probably not go to them for something I "think" I can do myself. And that dividing line is different for everyone - there are lots of things I won't mess with and leave to the pros, like shortening a shaft - while some folks on here would have no hesitation in doing that themselves, so it's all relative. I haven't lowered a truck - so I don't know how much lowering will start to affect impingement on the carrier bearing even if using the mounting slots the full amount in the right direction - but it sounds like our aussie friend has this experience and has some pretty good advice. Was your driveshaft damaged in some way or has the bearing just gone out? If the latter, I'd buy a carrier bearing from an otc parts store, new u-joints, and follow the above advice. Also, while you have the d/s out, inspect the front shaft slip yoke carefully to look for a groove where the seal rides on it. If it's grooved significantly, replace it while you have things apart or it will be leaking soon if it isn't already. In the end, if it DOESN'T work, you're out the cost of a carrier bearing, a u-joint, and your time - worst case. And time matters, this is an afternoon job. Personally I despise replacing U-joints and the like, but that's just me - and I'll still do it before paying someone else to do it. Nothing wrong with what IE Driveline offered to do, and it's worth $400 of work, but I too question whether it's completely necessary with a 3" drop. Again, no drop experience, so take this with a grain of salt. But at $400, it's probably worth a try on your own if you have the time available. Only you can closely examine it - and if it looks like there just isn't any way to make it fit with weight-on-wheels, then save the time, and let IE do what they suggest - peace of mind therapy - then you definitely won't have to worry about it at all.
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
The driveshaft wasn't damaged in any way. The rubber just gave out. I watched a few YouTube vids as I noted earlier, and it didn't look like a lot of fun to get the old bearing and carrier off, let alone forcing a new one on.
A couple of earlier posters advised that I'd need to rebalance my driveshaft assembly, and since those guys only quoted $400+ tax, I thought it might be worth it. I'm not afraid of getting my knuckles bloody (just installed a front disc conversion), and I'd definitely rather put that extra money toward a $3000 200 4R conversion, or air conditioning, or a $740 set of Ridetech adjustable shocks. But I also don't want to throw away a hundred bucks, get all dirty and bloody, cuss a lot, and then find out that I screwed something up. Or that I can't find the right swear words to get the parts off and on again. If I use a regular OEM style rubber carrier, will I blow it out again, just by virtue of having a (albeit slightly) lowered truck? |
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#22 |
Florida Edition
![]() ![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fruitland Park, FL
Posts: 4,025
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Its worth the $400, if your good with the price let the pros do it. If you have any problems its on them. Peace of mind has a value too.
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70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394 |
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#23 | |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,433
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Quote:
Also, I have exactly zero experience with the poly Vs neoprene cushion on the center support. If that poly bushing is like those in suspension pieces, I wouldn't use them. They don't have the same "softness" to them. Some people like that difference, but if you like the current feel of the drive train, that's something to think about.
__________________
~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: bisbee, arizona
Posts: 1,529
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
I dont want to dispute the expertise of others who have decades of experience in driveshaft removal and replacement. but I have never had a driveshaft become unbalanced simply because the carrier bearing was replaced. I have heard of an incorrectly installed u joint doing it. but not a drive shaft.Mark everything befor disassembly and reassembly in reverse order.
what exactly is there to"rebuilding' a drive shaft....replacing a yoke or some u joints? I heard where one "rebuilder replaces both ends and the tube" too funny. drive shaft needs to be rebalanced after each component is replaces. YEP! If a carrier bearing is tough to remove that is typical. just be carefull of the dust shield. dont bash or bend it up. I say that because if you have gone as far as disassebling the drive shaft to install a carrier bearing. there is not much to installing new u joints at the same time....correctly. the grease fittings are the point of refference in any correct reassembly. note where they are before disassembly and reinstall them correctly upon reassembly. Maybe check to make sure they have been assembled correctly to begine with. and yours look like they have not been serviced in a while either so grease em up and maybe count on replaceing them at some point. Last edited by mike16; 09-08-2017 at 01:48 AM. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: st cloud mn
Posts: 163
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Re: Is It Difficult To Replace The Driveshaft Carrier Bearing?
Unless you have a hydraulic press, I wouldn't tackle the carrier bearing. I've done u joints with a big vice before and didn't enjoy it at all. It comes down to what you want to do with the truck. If you are planning on building a high powered engine step up to the more expensive driveshaft. If not, it's probably not necessary.
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