Carrier Bearing ?'s

[bluedog]

Hi guys, I'm new to the board. I just bought a 1970 1/2 ton with the 350 and auto transmission. My carrier bearing is gone and I need to replace it soon. How hard of a job is that? Any tips or tricks? Looks like I can unbolt the drive shaft from the differential and just pull the second half of the drive shaft from the spline? It's a two piece shaft.

Thanks,

Scott

[truckdude239]

okay ti not that hard it is easier if you remove the whole drive shaft from the truck.
first start but removeing driveshaft .
2.(mark drive shaft realtion (to put driveshaft back together the same way)
3 remove center u joint
4.remove yoke
5( you might need a press for this step) remove old carrier bearing
6 install new bearing
7 reinstall yoke
8 reinstall new u joints (note it might be best at this time to replace all u joints) (also besure to align marks on driveshaft
9 reinstall drive shaft being sure to tighten th 2 carrier bearing bolts and the 4 rear u joint bolts.
10. go for a test drive

[bluedog]

Wow, that sounds like a job for an auto shop. I don't have a press. Guess I'll see what they're charging these days.

Thanks,

Scott

[Bishops Trucks]

I have done my share of u-joints by hand and have since learned to let a shop press the old ones out and the new ones in. You can do the carrier bearing yourself.

[truckdude239]

i've gotten mine so down pat that i can remove and install new rubber+houseing on my bearing since the housing breaks about every 3 months that i can pull the drive shaft and install new parts in about 30 mins

[steveo10]

last time mine broke it only took me about 30 min. when i got my new one i welded some braces on the sides because i don't trust the small spot welds.

[Big D]

I have done this a bunch of times without a press. My last one took about 40
minutes, I was lucky that the bearing came off the shaft without a fight.

I always soak everything down with P.B Blaster, then use a tie rod seperator ( pickle fork) to tap the old bearing off.

Avoid the cheap Autozone 20$ carrier bearings , they tend to fall apart every 6 months. I bought a cheapie last time because I didnt want to wait 3 days for a NAPA one. I have had to reweld it back together twice because of poor spot welds. The NAPA one runs around 50$.

[72armyswbtruck]

IMHO you guys are right, those stinkin carrier bearings and the u-joints go out quite often.

['72hemieater]

I have found, even though its more money it will save you money in the long run to just have one either lengthened or made to fit. Turn your two into one solid unit

[ClassicRedneck05]

im glad i dont have to deal with them lol

[truckdude239]

well no driveshaft shop around here will make one long enough for my long bed most wont make one over 64 inches long

[Ben IV]

In the 6 years ive had my panel ive gone through 2 carrier bearings. Last time one went out I replaced all the ujoints I just used a bench vise, you need one socket small enough to push on the bearing cap and one bigger than the cap put one on each side and then tighten the vise down it presses the cap out, when you put the new ones in just use 2 sockets small enough to fit on the caps and your set. Next time I think i might just spend the cash on one of the inland empire carrier bearings.

[steveo10]

here is the inland site.i want to get one of these too but mine hasen't broke again yet so i will wait.
http://www.iedls.com/bearings.html

[theznuts]

Let me start by saying With that said I got this carrier problem too. But whats funny is that I looked at all the different posts about this center support bearing and it seams that not many of you have the type I have. On mine the bearing is sandwiched in between two metal pices. Then that is bolted to a bracket that hangs from the frame. I couldn't get my bearing from any parts store anywhere, so I tired a driveline place which had my part. What I'm wondering is how do you get the bearing sandwiched so that it is in the right alinement?

[steveo10]

i have never seen one like that. what year is your truck

[truckdude239]

never seen one like that

[theznuts]

Opps, sorry. I forgot the info, I have a '70 GMC 1/2 ton with a 350.

[truckdude239]

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=907&ptset=A

[bluedog]

So, how do I get the drive shaft off? My carrier bearing is completely gone, getting it off is no problem. Can I just slip the new bearing on the reconnect the drive shaft?

Scott

[truckdude239]

to remove drive shaft remove the 4 bolts on the rear yoke and slip forward then slide drive shaft back and pull out of trans

[krue]

I've done it before and it wasn't too hard (I have average or better mechanical ability and a limited toolbox). BTW Welcome to the board to the new guys.