LWB Support bearing need help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

URSLOW · 07-11-2003, 02:09 AM

Hey guys
need some input I have a LWB truck that has been lowered 4in in the front and 6in in the rear I use the truck from time to time to bring a new project home. In the last year I have changed the center support bearing four time because it keeps breaking right where it mounts to the frame and being a cheap pot metal housing I can not reinforce it Has anybody here have any exp. with a one piece driveshaft I was think about having one made or buy one of the Inland empire 2pc driveshafts with the heavy duty support bearing but 600.00 is a little high. Any suggestions

slam33 · 07-11-2003, 09:45 AM

I think you need to shorten the rear shaft then have it rebalanced

lukecp · 07-11-2003, 10:34 AM

Maybe you should switch to a 1-piece driveshaft. Any driveshaft shop should be able to build you one with only 2 u-joints instead of three. I had one shop tell me they couldn't balbnce a shaft that long, but several people on here are running a 1-pc. shaft on a LWB truck.

Blue68 · 07-11-2003, 11:15 AM

My understanding is that you can't run a one-piece in a lwb because of the loop on the support where the trailing ams mount. If you unload the suspension enough, the shaft will hit it. This isn't the case on the short bed trucks since the transmission output is closer to the loop.

I love the way these trucks look lowered, but I'm hesitant to do it because of longevity of drive line parts. I don't buy that you can drop these trucks several inches and not screw up the pinion angles. Yes, you haul loads on occasion and it doesn't matter, but everyday I would think would have an impact.

I saw an install on Trucks on Speed channel where they were dropping a new model truck. It had a two-piece shaft. Not only did they drop it, but they shimmed the rear to adjust the pinion angle, installed a bracket for the support bearing (again, those pesky angles) and then put a small pad under the tailshaft housing of the tranny to, you guessed it, adjust the angle.

Enough of my rant and concerns, lots of guys have their trucks lowered with lots of miles so I'm sure there's a correct way to do it.

07-11-2003, 02:09 AM	#1
URSLOW Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Georgia Posts: 28	LWB Support bearing need help Hey guys need some input I have a LWB truck that has been lowered 4in in the front and 6in in the rear I use the truck from time to time to bring a new project home. In the last year I have changed the center support bearing four time because it keeps breaking right where it mounts to the frame and being a cheap pot metal housing I can not reinforce it Has anybody here have any exp. with a one piece driveshaft I was think about having one made or buy one of the Inland empire 2pc driveshafts with the heavy duty support bearing but 600.00 is a little high. Any suggestions __________________ 72 CHEYENNE 72 BLAZER 2WD 72 PRO STREET NOVA 69 NOVA 67 CAMARO OUTLAW 7.10@198 68 CAMARO RS/SS 72 CAMARO 80 Z28 AND A FEW OTHERS

07-11-2003, 09:45 AM	#2
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	I think you need to shorten the rear shaft then have it rebalanced __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

07-11-2003, 10:34 AM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Maybe you should switch to a 1-piece driveshaft. Any driveshaft shop should be able to build you one with only 2 u-joints instead of three. I had one shop tell me they couldn't balbnce a shaft that long, but several people on here are running a 1-pc. shaft on a LWB truck. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-11-2003, 11:15 AM	#4
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	My understanding is that you can't run a one-piece in a lwb because of the loop on the support where the trailing ams mount. If you unload the suspension enough, the shaft will hit it. This isn't the case on the short bed trucks since the transmission output is closer to the loop. I love the way these trucks look lowered, but I'm hesitant to do it because of longevity of drive line parts. I don't buy that you can drop these trucks several inches and not screw up the pinion angles. Yes, you haul loads on occasion and it doesn't matter, but everyday I would think would have an impact. I saw an install on Trucks on Speed channel where they were dropping a new model truck. It had a two-piece shaft. Not only did they drop it, but they shimmed the rear to adjust the pinion angle, installed a bracket for the support bearing (again, those pesky angles) and then put a small pad under the tailshaft housing of the tranny to, you guessed it, adjust the angle. Enough of my rant and concerns, lots of guys have their trucks lowered with lots of miles so I'm sure there's a correct way to do it. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

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