carrier bearing difficulty? re-balance?

[FirstGen]

Just got a quote back from a good mechanic here in town and I am trying to differenciate between what I want to tackle on my own and what I should have him do. Poor boys like me

One thing he listed is that my carrier bearing and U-joints need to be replaced (LWB). I'm sure this is true.

How difficult is it to replace the carrier bearing I haven't even looked at it? He has also listed to rebalance the driveshaft along with the new bearing??? Is that nessary, wouldn't think so?

Thanks in advance

[COBALT]

Depends on your setup. If you have an automatic with the smaller tear-drop shaped bearing it's not that hard. The process is different if you have a manual with the heavier U shaped bearing that connects to the frame.

I replaced my bearing and U-joints all at the same time. If you decide to do it and need help I can help you. FYI: it shouldn't take a mechanic longer than a couple of hours to do that work. Parts include a bearing and 3 u-joints. Bearing is about $15-30, U-joints are $15-25, so max about $100 in parts, and two hours labor should be total $250-300. Cheaper to do it yourself.

Oh, and you only need to rebalance the driveline if it's already out of balance, or you take it out of the truck without marking the yokes and how they're oriented. It won't hurt to balance it anyway, but you may not need to spend the money...

[krazy_texan]

i was told that you dont need to have your driveshaft balanced unless you intend on turning more than 7500 rpms and that most manufacturers did not start balancing them until the late 60s early 70s

[sixty8c10]

i'm with krazy_texan
good luck

[superchevy]

I just got a quote from Driveshaft King in Dallas to replace the 3 u-joints and carrier bearing in my '93, then balance everything. I told them I would pull the shaft myself and bring it to them. Price?
$165.
SC

[jlget]

I just got my driveline back in about an hour ago. I replaced the center carrier, had the rear section of the driveshaft replaced, changed the rear seal and bushing in the transmission, and installed a new yoke (flange) on the rear end.

Driveshaft repair $80.00
Center Carrier $20.00
Yoke $71.00
Bushing and Seal $17.00

Drove it out after putting it all back together and runs smooth. Many thanks to those board members that helped with advice.

Jim

[ChevLoRay]

As many U-joints as I have changed I have never had to rebalance a drive shaft. Before I had any real experience, I had a '64 Pontiac Bonneville. I replaced both ujoints, and it had an unbelievable vibration. I carried it around to several garages and machine shops, but to no avail. I took it to a NAPA store machine shop. The mechanic took the shaft, laid it on a vise and whacked each side of the yoke on the shaft. At that point in time, the u-joints began to flop and the vibration was gone when it was reinstalled.

Sometimes, the stress of pressing the u-joint into postion can cause a binding of the part. When that happens, you have to relieve it. Whacking it (the yoke) with a hammer will relieve the stress and let the joint flop. If it is too tight, it may cause a driveline vibration. This is something you have to learn with experience. When you see what I'm talking about, you'll know it. But, if the shaft was not vibrating before you pulled it due to an out-of-balance condition, installing new u-joints will not make it become balanced or unbalanced.

Look at the shaft....you'll see weights attached to it, somewhere along the length of the shaft. Manufacturers have been balancing drive shafts for many, many years.

If you plan on running your engine at 7500 RPM's, you may want to think about a driveshaft safety loop....if you're worried about it.

[FirstGen]

Thanks guys, not sure if it was fine before or not. I bought the truck not running and I'm trying to cover all basis before using it as my daily driver.....

[jorgensensc]

If you replace the u-joints when working with a 2 piece driveshaft you can accidentaly reverse the two sides, in essence getting them 180 degrees out of phase. This will cause a vibration. Try rotating one driveshaft 180 degrees, then reinstalling it. Hope this helps.
Shawn

[superchevy]

To each his own...I'm going to have the shaft out...new joints, bearing...I think I'll spring for the $10 to have the balance verified...it's not THAT big a deal.
SC