Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Con ofe vibration killing my carrier bearing

[DPrew]

Ever since I had my old Con ofe replaced by the newer style Con ofe my truck won't hold a carrier bearing. In the last 18 months I've gone through about seven carrier bearings.



The new style clutch vibrates when the truck is not in gear or the clutch is depressed. You can feel the vibrations going through the drive shaft. I suspect the vibrations caused by the clutch are damaging or wearing out the rubber bracket that surrounds the bearing and holds it in place. The bearing ends up coming out of the carrier and the steel disc usually get spit out of the carrier first. Many times I've heard the steel disc walk out of the carrier and vibrate against the drive shaft.



My truck is an 02' 4x4 Quad Cab long bed. Has anyone else had any of these issues? I've email SB to see what they have to say as well.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'd think there'd be lots of other driveline failures LONG before the carrier bearing was affected by anything inside the clutch housing! I'd look for something lots nearer the driveshaft itself that might have surfaced or been disturbed DURING the clutch replacement...

 

[B.G. Smith]

A wild guess but I would think the transmission and or motor would have to be moving fore and aft to do that kind of damage. Could the transmission /bell housing bolts be loose??? bg

 

[hsmith]

Something else going on there. Don't think any vibrations from the bell housing could do that. Has to go through transmission first.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

My BlackSheep has 100,000 miles on the new style Con OFE and has not had any carrier bearing issues. I'm like the other guys, something else is most likely the problem. Has the driveshaft been balanced and checked for straightness?

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Doubleclutch]

What does Peter say? If any of his products have and issue, he's on top or it! Since it doesn't sound like the majority of replies point to the clutch, he might be able to guide you to the culprit. He's a good guy- call him.

Let us know what you find!

Greg

 

[Joe Mc]

It's very possible, like other indicated above, something happened when the change-out took place. Maybe the original carrier bearing wasn't installed exactly in the same spot after clutch install and there's an alignment issue that keeps eating them up, or the shaft lost a weight / wasn't aligned correctly when removed / reinstalled. Also, I recall there are two types of carrier bearings that have shorter / longer mounts and may require spaces to get correct angles. I'd suggest having the shaft balanced (about $100) and before you take it in to have balancing done, mark all location points with a paint pen = front flange to trans flange, carrier mount to frame bracket, a line on both shafts where the slip yoke is, and even where it mounts into the pinion yoke. This way you can see if it was reinstalled correctly and it gives the guy doing the R & R nice clean references to follow. Makes it easy on them too. My truck has the original carrier @ 175+k miles and I've fought vibrations for the first few years (bought it in 01 w/75k) that I've had the shaft out on several occasions - balanced (in/out once), took out to ease install of draw straw (twice) and when the trans was DDT'ed (third) and etc.



Another possibility is one of the cups at the rear yoke fell off when the shaft was removed and a needle bearing, or two +, was lost. This will make for bad vibrations that could take out the carrier as well.



By the way my vibrations ended up being a loose rear wheel bearing = retaining nut was not properly secured by someone during previous ownership. I think the process for properly loading the bearings was 120 - 140 # TQ, of course while turning the axle, then back off 1/8 turn, but its been about 3 years. If you don't have a manual and want me to check send a PM and I can scan you the page from my manual - should be the same for bearing pre-load regardless of drum (mine) disc (yours) break set up, but could possible be different?



Hope MHO helps somewhat . . .