Center Driveshaft Bearing - 3500s

[COSEng]

Can any of you guys describe what happens when the center drive shaft bearing is going bad. I have a developing vibration I cannot track down. I have replaced all three u-joints with greasable 351's and they seem OK. The only thing that I notice is the rubbber mounting around the center bearing seems a little torn/worn.



Do these center bearings fail slowly or all at once? The only thing I can come up with is the rubber mounting is failing and allowing the bearing to move around more freely and vibrate.



Any ideas are appreciated.



Carl

 

[RDusch]

Mine went out over about a week, started as a bad vibe above 70mph, and the allot of bucking on take off, pulled my shaft tonight, taking in to the shop in the morning for new bearing and joints,

If you get under the truck and push on the shaft near the bearing you can see i move and see the tears in the rubber.

The bearing is 60 bucks at Napa Hanger Bearing Item#: BRGHB88508

Rick

 

[COSEng]

Thanks Rick,



Did you notice movement in the bearing itself or just in the rubber mounting?

 

[RDusch]

Just the rubber was shot, 3 out of the 4 rubber web connectors was broke, the new napa bearing looks more heavy duty.

Rick

 

[JCasper]

Why are you taking it to a shop, can the center bearing not be done at home in the garage.



The rubber webbing is torn on mine also, but the vibration my truck had was fixed by just replacing the center u-joint.

 

[MMeier]

Why are you taking it to a shop, can the center bearing not be done at home in the garage.



The rubber webbing is torn on mine also, but the vibration my truck had was fixed by just replacing the center u-joint.

If the center one was shot, the others are not too far behind...

 

[JCasper]

If the center one was shot, the others are not too far behind...

I know that. The only reason I didn't do all of them was the c clips wouldn't fit and I had to grind them down. I simply ran out of time, my wife had plans that day. The other two are sitting under the back seat. I am going to go and pick up two more, replace the other two and keep a couple spares.



I will be sure to do it before the next road trip with the truck.

 

[RDusch]

Picke up my rebuilt shaft this evening, both of the lower shaft joints had at least 1 cap with just a few rollers and dust, the was no grease in any of the 3. these had only 60k miles on them, 20k towing.

Had them all replaced with Presision 351's, greasable

Rick

 

[DaveRodgers]

Had them all replaced with Presision 351's, greasable



Rick

Did all three of mine with the same joint a few weeks back at 49k. Center one was shot. Rear one was close. Front was OK but did it anyways.

 

[Cattletrkr]

COSEng,

Have you found your source yet? Did you check the front driveshaft? It's pretty easy to remove and check the joints on the workbench.

 

[COSEng]

Cattletrkr,



Changed the center bearing support tonight. The rubber was bad/worn but the bearing was in good shape. I think the rear most joint was a contributing factor to the vibration however. It had rough movement in one direction. I was suprised, because it was not warm at all when I checked it. All three joints are 351 greasable joints that have been replaced previously. I will be going back to NAPA tomorrow to get a replacemnet joint to install before putting the shaft back in.



Unfortunately, I am getting pretty good at removing and replacing the driveshaft in this truck.



Thanks for everyones help.

 

[bighammer]

I know that. The only reason I didn't do all of them was the c clips wouldn't fit and I had to grind them down. I simply ran out of time, my wife had plans that day. The other two are sitting under the back seat. I am going to go and pick up two more, replace the other two and keep a couple spares.

I will be sure to do it before the next road trip with the truck.

Just curious, but how did you remove the old U joint? (press or hammer?)

 

[JCasper]

Just curious, but how did you remove the old U joint? (press or hammer?)

Hammer



Then we used a vise to press the new ones back in.