2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Carrier Bearing/ Center Bearing squeal?

[Newf Limo]

I received a PM (whom shall remain nameless unless he is right) and he suggested the possibility of the driveshaft Carrier (Center) Bearing. The more I thought about it the more I liked it. The driveshaft feels snug enough, but I just made a trip to NAPA for my $80 brake pads and played around with throttle and clutch, load on drivetrain and not, and I think he is on to something. BUT, at a dealer estimate of $140 just for the part, I am in no hurry to run out and buy one just to check it out , if you can imagine. Plus I guess I need a bearing splitter and installer ($$).



So, how can I trouble shoot and rule out this Center bearing idea? It has no grease zerk because . . . ah heck, I won't even start that rampage, so how can I test it? I thought of trying to squirt some oil into it if possible but then I thought, What if it wasn't the Center Bearing, assuming I could get some oil in it, I would have contaminated the factory grease.



Any suggestions?

 

[Newf Limo]

Ok, I have myself tied to the under-carriage. Could one of you please come over and take me for a quick test drive? Thanks.

 

[Newf Limo]

When I drove for Dawson Trucking in Jacksonville Florida, they had a saying, "Run 'er til she blows, heaven help you if she does!"



Well, finally I found the culprit. Parked the truck, chocked the front, jacked the rear, neutral, no park brake. . . found a bad Universal joint. No grease zerk of course. Not bad, 76k miles no towing, mostly highway, no burn outs or other abuses, and it made it all the way to 76K Whew!



Now here is a question. NAPA says they only show parts to 1999, nothing after that. Dealer wants $65, NAPA wants $18 for a '99 U-Joint. It is the middle joint, just aft of the center bearing (close call Mr. Annonymous ). Does anyone know of an alternative to the dealer for this part?



2001 ETH DEE ext cab 4X4 Long Bed Thanks! D.

 

[ramman]

u joints

Ihave read on previous post that the DC u-joints are stronger than after market joints. Not sure who had the info as it's been a while could have been in the TDR.

 

[Newf Limo]

I just got that lecture from the Driveline shop up the road. It's a Dana Spicer U-Joint etc. etc. etc. I am going to drop the driveline and have him pop a new one in. But, considering that this truck hasn't worked but maybe 10 days in its life, and those were more like regulated 'union' days (jk ) the truck is acting like a twenty year old farm truck. At this rate, it will never see twenty. Just a bit discouraged with my truck lately. I'll come around. . . I think.

 

[klenger]

The carrier bearing went totally out on mine at about 1000 miles. The bearing just came apart. I eneded up towing my 5er about 80 miles home before I figured out what the problem was. Dealer installed a new drive shaft assy to fix it. No problems since.