Help with my driveshaft

[gipper]

It felt like my 68 GMC truck might have a universal joint going bad so I decided to replace everything. Pulled the driveshafts off (2 of them) and removed the carrier bearing. I ordered all the parts and they came in the other day. The rubber that encases the bearing looks completely different. I took three picture, first one is of the new rubber, second is the old rubber and the last one is both rubbers together. This rubber is sandwiched in between two triangular shaped pieces of metal and them bolted to the frame. No way I can do it with this piece of rubber. Any suggestions?

[gipper]

Somebody must have an idea?

[ItsRandy]

Show us your bracket please.

[chiefcfd]

There are 2 different brackets. Looks like you have the other type. You need this one.


http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...087_0065474740

[gipper]

As asked, I added two more pictures of the brackets that hold the carrier bearing and rubber. First picture is of the two brackets and second picture is of the two brackets together as they would be under the truck (minus bearing and rubber). The words "front" and "back" on brackets in the first picture is my reference as to how they go together and how they bolt up underneath the truck.

[Don Quixote]

Back in the day, many farmers and oilmen bought 3/4 ton trucks but installed a two ton driveline to haul heavy loads down dirt roads. I learned this the hard way. Use the old two piece carrier housing, the bearing is sealed. It uses an HB2 bearing which are hard to find. You can use an HB5 which you can get at autozone for about $65. It will fit but not as pretty, that's what I am using for the same.

[gipper]

Don, I checked Autozone and I am not able to find the bearing you are referencing.

[Lees68GMC]

Can't you simply install a one-piece drive shaft from some other GM truck?

I admit I don't know if we're talking about a SWB or LWB here either. How about a later model (80s-90s)l Suburban drive shaft, U-Pick it $45.00
That carrier bearing can't be cheap, if you are lucky enough to find it.

[chiefcfd]

OK, I was wrong. Never seen that one.

[Don Quixote]

Gipper, I forgot to mention that they will not be able to find it by vehicle search, they have to search for the part number and it is not a stock item so it will have to be ordered. I got mine at the Autozone in Fort Walton Beach, FL about 3 years ago. If they no longer carry it, I'm screwed too. If you happen to find someone else, please let me know.

[Don Quixote]

I have thought about going 1 piece for years but with the loads I haul around, the slip shaft is less stressful on the u-joints. One day I may have to grab the shafts out of a newer Topkick or something. The shafts I have now already require 2 conversion joints. A newer conversion can't be much worse.

[gipper]

Don, you have been a GREAT help! Thanks so much! I have checked with Auto Zone and they can get either the HB2 ($119) or HB 5 ($65). They also gave me the phone number of Timkin. I am calling them tomorrow and ask what the difference is and go from there. The HB 2 looks as if that one is an exact fit. No picture on the HB 5

[Don Quixote]

The HB5 has little bumps on the bearing housing that makes the dust cover a PIA to re-install, I had to jerry-rig it to the carrier housing.

I ended up with the HB5 because at the time I didn't know about the HB2.

No problem on the help, I had a terrible time researching this driveline and after an actual arguement with a guy at O'Reilly's about what goes on my truck, I went on a pilgrimage to find an old timer who knew what he was looking at. I had to drive an hour away to find such a man at Napa in Pensacola who took a split second look at my setup and was able to give me a whole back story on it.

I had had my truck 14 years at the time and never knew I was sitting on a medium-duty driveline. I just remember thinking, "That setup is huge! What was GM thinking?"

Come to find out, it was very common to do just that, common enough that these days people mistake it for being stock.