one of those parts nobody sees or cares about till it's broke

[69gumby]

Well I was lucky. I have had my truck for about three years and had never paid any attention to the DRIVELINE. The other day it hit me that I had ignored this area so over the weekend I took a look. I found that I could move my drive line up and down an inch or more, the carrier bearing. Well out it came.

These are the only tools it took to take it out, and the tools it took to do the rest of the work. I can't tell you how nice it was to have a press. I got mine for free when I was buying a table saw from a guy on CL, he asked if I had any use for, little did I know.

I stamped a mark on each piece so I would be able to line everything back up the way it came apart and proceeded to press out the u-joints. After a brief learning curve it was apart and ready to get cleaned up.

I'll post the finish pic next.

[69gumby]

After some cleaning and sanding it was out back for some paint.

After a few hours in the sun (it was almost 70) it was time to put it back together.

The hardest part was not scratching up the new paint. But then again who will ever see it.

The driveline is the Rodney Dangerfield of truck parts.

[Woody]

Sweet deal on the press. I want/need one myself, just haven't got the room. I need a bigger garage. Nice job on the drive shaft, looks great!

[Andy4639]

Nice job on the drive shaft. I have had mine done twice since I owned it. I have a extra one also I need to have built and ready to go in the truck.

What about the boat in the shop. I love those old chris crafts. Those are the prettiest boats ever built in my opinion.

[Senator350]

I wouldn't day "nobody" sees or cares about.

1350s FTW

[scottrod71]

Nice job on the driveshaft........BUT, I wanna see the Chris Craft in the background! More info please.................

[NYC-10]

can I get a picture of the boat?

[Longhorn Man]

I am glad to see someone who can do this without a HAMMER.
The only thing I would recomend, is taking it to a driveline shop, and have them spin it, see if it needs ballanced. You may not feel anything, but if it is a little out of whack it'll wear out the seal and bushing in the tranny output, or the seal on your rear (eaton... right?)

[69gumby]

Here are some pics of my boat. She is a 19 foot, 1953 Chris Craft Holiday. I have always wanted on of these but the money was never there, but one day last summer this boat found me. I got this boat in pieces. I finished putting her all back together and am now in the process of taking her all the way down, new wood, rebuild the engine, the interior is brand new so at least one things done. Just like our trucks she is going to take some time, but oh baby when she is done!!!

I had some other pics with the interior all in i just can't find them. I think there on our old computer.

[thirdstreettito]

Good job, and nice boat!

[BigDaddyDave]

Good job and nice boat!

[Andy4639]

Man that is a nice boat. I'd love to find one to redo. That is one of my wishes to find and have it restored.

[arkie726]

That will look GREAT on the back of your truck headed for the lake!

[69chevytruckin]

Yes i remeber when that center bearing broke on me twice not fun at all great job on it.

[68gmsee]

Wow! Nice boat. I wish I was younger and had more years left to restore an old boat like that. With two old trucks to finish up, a 78 Wellcraft fiberglass boat to redo and many other unfinished projects, I just ain't got nuff years left.

[blazer72]

I had to do the exact same thing this weekend, only I didn't catch it in time. I could hear something going loose, but I always have two daughters to contend to, so it kept getting putoff or ignored, well, my carrier bearing broke all the rivets and about came through the floorboard. Luckily, they are readily available, and only $15. I bought two lifetime u-joints also, cuz mine looked like they had been on there for a while. I got really lucky.

But, I didn't have a press - just a 3 lb hammer and an impact socket - yes, I made up new cuss words.

anyhoos, like longhorn man said - I shoulda taken it to get balanced, cuz there is definate need for it. I guess the old parts gave it enough leniency to be smooth or something.

[69gumby]

Thanks everone for your complements, both on the driveline and the boat. Here are some boat pic where she sat in a field. She was well covered but left out in a field none the less.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Great post 69!

Like the gang here said that will be looking sweet rolling behind your classic heading to the lake.

Thanks for sharing your pictures of the boat and what it takes on fixing the driveshaft.

And VERY good advise on having them balanced. Well worth the time to have it serviced while it's out of the truck.

[ChevLoRay]

Love the boat! It would be sweet to have a '53 Caddy convertible to tow it with....talk about a show. Never would have to get either one wet.