Center Support Bearing

[Mark.Smith]

How would you tell if the center support bearing on a 2 piece driveshaft is bad? I'm chasing a vibration that comes in around 1650 RPMs and 53 MPH. The truck shudders when you let out the clutch from a stop also. The truck is a 2005 with a G56.

 

[ranger 393]

Could be a sticking caliper or a U joint. The center carrier rubber will be collapsed or coming apart

 

[cerberusiam]

With the clutch shudder the DMF may be done and out of balance. U-joints would be the next thing to replace. Don't bother trying to find a bad one just replace them all in the rear DS.

 

[Mark.Smith]

The U joints and support bearing were replaced last year and the DMF already went out and was replaced with a Southbend billet flywheel. The ujoints don't move but the rubber around the bearing seems soft I can easily move the DS up and down and side to side but I can't turn it. Maybe I should just replace the whole thing with a one piece shaft.

 

[cerberusiam]

Then you probably have the dreaded 2 piece DS vibe. Steel DS's have a nasty habit of harmonics resonation that is almost impossible to solve without replacement. Even the OE 1 piece shaft has issues with harmonics and the rear flange can be a source of problems. We have replaced shafts on both of our 05's with a custom 5" aluminum shaft and a regular yoke on the rear diff to resolve the problems. The solution will depend on the source and that is tough to find.

That said, if this JUST started it might be a bad ujoint again. The AAM joints are no known for their longevity unless EXTREME care is taken with install and re-greasing with good grease before install. If you used Spicer joints then it could be a number of things.

 

[Mark.Smith]

Found out what was wrong today. I lost a retainer out of one of the bearing caps and the cap moved leaving the driveshaft to wobble which in turn took out the rubber in the center support bearing. Dropped the driveshaft today and will run it into the shop tomorrow. The guy at the shop recommended a Spicer center bearing that Ford uses, the rubber is encased in metal and its much more sturdy than the Mopar bearing. I was damn lucky that the cap didn't come out and cause the joint to fail, that would have been very bad.........and expensive!

 

[ranger 393]

Can you post the part number for that center carrier? I tried to find a better one when I replaced mine, and was told that there was no other option other than what came on it.

Found out what was wrong today. I lost a retainer out of one of the bearing caps and the cap moved leaving the driveshaft to wobble which in turn took out the rubber in the center support bearing. Dropped the driveshaft today and will run it into the shop tomorrow. The guy at the shop recommended a Spicer center bearing that Ford uses, the rubber is encased in metal and its much more sturdy than the Mopar bearing. I was damn lucky that the cap didn't come out and cause the joint to fail, that would have been very bad.........and expensive!

 

[seafish]

IIRC I have seen both types of center bearing supports on these trucks. One is only rubber and the other is rubber encased in a steel sleeve. That beign said, IMO one of the better mods you can do to these trucks is to replace the two piece driveshaft with a single aluminum one, either Mopar or custom made. After my second carrier bearing/bushing broke, I went with the Mopar one from a 2008 6.7L, G56, QC long bed and once I removed the entire carrier bearing support frame from the truck, it bolted right in to my 2005 5.9, G56, QC LB and ALL start-up and highway disappeared. Looks great underneath the truck too...LOL!!

 

[Mark.Smith]

Can you post the part number for that center carrier? I tried to find a better one when I replaced mine, and was told that there was no other option other than what came on it.

http://www.drivetrainamerica.com/spicer-211499x-dana-1350-series-center-support-bearing/
This one should be the one you're looking for.

 

[GCroyle]

Mark,

Good catch on the retaining ring.

Guys, John Kelly from Weber State University has about 5 HOURS worth of U-Joint and drive shaft video training. Here's a sample https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0RZVQQVMZs

I've watched several of his videos, I think you'll be overwhelmed by his training details and NVH analysis.

Gary

 

[ranger 393]

Thank you sir thats what Im looking for.

http://www.drivetrainamerica.com/spicer-211499x-dana-1350-series-center-support-bearing/
This one should be the one you're looking for.

 

[crabman]

Thank you for the video link about U-joints.