long wheel base two piece drive shaft replace...

[ellisjay2]

My center support and u joints are worn causing the vibration and clunk noise when shifting I've been aiming to save a few dollars since $300 is average price round town at local shops to rebuild and balance....I was thinking to find a used one in decent shape and put on new center support...should I go to junk yard/ I've found a couple on craigslist but their out of the way......

[Rubble]

Why don't you just rebuild it yourself? U joints are pretty easy to do & the steady bearing is usually not bad.You shouldn't need to rebalance the driveshaft after doing U joints,I've never had one done & been driving & repairing these trucks over 30 years.It's a crap shoot at the wrecker finding both u joints & a good steady bearing.

[Just call me Sean]

Plus they always bend the driveshafts with the forklift.

[meatwagon83]

advance or napa have the carrier bearing and u-joints, i did mine last year

[RandyP]

Cost me $150 to have a 1 piece made to replace my 2 piece.

[lgvl]

I have an 82 8' 3+3, with a two piece drive shaft like yours, and just unmounted the drive shaft myself and took it into my local NAPA, which has a machine shop, when the bearing cups wouldnt press out. Cost me just over $110 i believe for all the labor and materials. I had them replace the carrier bearing as well as all the u joint bearings. I wouldnt worry about the balance, just replace the bearings then reinstall. If you still have vibrations, then take it in to be balanced.

[ellisjay2]

Got my carrier bearing and set of u joints done this weekend thanx to advice and help from others. The challenge that delayed me most due to circumstances was not having a vice for stability. But having a creative mind and improvising with mechanical comprehension I was able to use an object as a temporary vice.Attachment 1299127 Old ujoints out busted up........





Busted carrier bearing......

[ellisjay2]

Originally Posted by ellisjay2

Got my carrier bearing and set of u joints done this weekend thanx to advice and help from others. The challenge that delayed me most due to circumstances was not having a vice for stability. But having a creative mind and improvising with mechanical comprehension I was able to use a wall shelf, jack and wood as a vice.


Old busted joints




Attachment 1299129
I came up with idea to use jack and wall shelf to vise drive shaft while prying off old carrier bearing ring with crow bar and hammer......then I used the same method to press out old and new u joints....


Attachment 1299128



Attachment 1299130

Attachment 1299131

Attachment 1299132

both new sets pressed and sealed.
Rented bearing press tool from autozone for $115 full refund after return, joints were $20 for set, carrier was $30 at oreilly auto parts...truck rides a whoooole lot better!!!! Thanx gm comrades.

[meatwagon83]

i know it made a world of difference on mine!

[MalibuSSwagon]

Damn I need to do this on the C10, my 2 piece shaft is looking rough.