Carrier bearing life span questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70Custom10Nut · 03-07-2010, 10:50 AM

How long should a carrier bearing last? (on my LWB 70)
I put a new one (Timkin) in about 8,000 miles ago, and in the beginning the rubber seal had an annoying squeak at low speed.
(fast forward ten years) After sitting in storage for 5 years while I was in Europe, I noticed the squeak was gone but now the bearing clunks a lot under hard acceleration from low speeds. It worked well in the beginning, so I know I have it in there right. There is some play in the carrier itself, and the bearing seems to be "floating" inside the rubber seal. The rubber is in good shape with no cracks or holes. I guess my questions are:
1. Is this normal for them to squeak?
2. Is it normal to have the play in the unit?
3. Is it normal for them to clunk at low speed?
4. Do they wear out that quick?
The truck has not been worked very hard since I've had it so I know none of the symptoms are from abuse. Cnut

Shyguy · 03-07-2010, 11:22 AM

Back in the day. That was when I had my '72 GMC I had to replace the carrier bearing after the truck was about 8 years old.

The carrier bearings are holding up good in both of my trucks now, but they are bone stock.

I have heard people having problems with the carrier bearings after lowering their trucks.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with more info.

Danny

Sinister · 03-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Not all carrier bearings are equal in quality. Some are worse then others. Both Inland Empire Drive Line and CPP have some pretty nice heavy duty ones.

CSGAS · 03-07-2010, 09:32 PM

Just when you have everything else replaced and your wallet is empty is when you should expect the carrier bearing to give up the ghost.

Actually my rubber is trying to escape from between the bearing and the shell, but I think it's the 40-yr old factory stuff so I can't complain. I'm thinking of getting just the rubber, then when I pull out the old one see if I can use one of those kits that inject urethane into tuner car engine mounts to make one "rubber" bushing that will last forever...if I get to it before the thing is thrashed. My bearing doesn't make any noise yet but I know my rubber went bad from the truck hardly moving for about ten years before I got it. If anyone's already tried it I hope they'll speak up.

I'd lean toward the time in storage as causing the rubber to shrink or dry, as the issue...did you have any similar issues with your other rubber parts, like tires, belts and hoses?

03-07-2010, 10:50 AM	#1
70Custom10Nut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vilseck Germany (currently) Posts: 317	Carrier bearing life span questions How long should a carrier bearing last? (on my LWB 70) I put a new one (Timkin) in about 8,000 miles ago, and in the beginning the rubber seal had an annoying squeak at low speed. (fast forward ten years) After sitting in storage for 5 years while I was in Europe, I noticed the squeak was gone but now the bearing clunks a lot under hard acceleration from low speeds. It worked well in the beginning, so I know I have it in there right. There is some play in the carrier itself, and the bearing seems to be "floating" inside the rubber seal. The rubber is in good shape with no cracks or holes. I guess my questions are: 1. Is this normal for them to squeak? 2. Is it normal to have the play in the unit? 3. Is it normal for them to clunk at low speed? 4. Do they wear out that quick? The truck has not been worked very hard since I've had it so I know none of the symptoms are from abuse. Cnut

03-07-2010, 11:22 AM	#2
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Carrier bearing life span questions Back in the day. That was when I had my '72 GMC I had to replace the carrier bearing after the truck was about 8 years old. The carrier bearings are holding up good in both of my trucks now, but they are bone stock. I have heard people having problems with the carrier bearings after lowering their trucks. Hopefully someone else will chime in with more info. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

03-07-2010, 11:58 AM	#3
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Carrier bearing life span questions Not all carrier bearings are equal in quality. Some are worse then others. Both Inland Empire Drive Line and CPP have some pretty nice heavy duty ones. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

03-07-2010, 09:32 PM	#4
CSGAS optomistic ah-so Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 544	Re: Carrier bearing life span questions Just when you have everything else replaced and your wallet is empty is when you should expect the carrier bearing to give up the ghost. Actually my rubber is trying to escape from between the bearing and the shell, but I think it's the 40-yr old factory stuff so I can't complain. I'm thinking of getting just the rubber, then when I pull out the old one see if I can use one of those kits that inject urethane into tuner car engine mounts to make one "rubber" bushing that will last forever...if I get to it before the thing is thrashed. My bearing doesn't make any noise yet but I know my rubber went bad from the truck hardly moving for about ten years before I got it. If anyone's already tried it I hope they'll speak up. I'd lean toward the time in storage as causing the rubber to shrink or dry, as the issue...did you have any similar issues with your other rubber parts, like tires, belts and hoses? __________________ Rubbing is Racin' Ribbing is Bench Racin' 1970 C-10 lwb Fleetside. Originally 350 2-bbl 3-on-the-tree, m/b, m/w, m/s no a/c. Currently running on a '76 Camaro 305.



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