Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Driveshaft center bearing

[BoirosR]

Welp, I did a search and can't believe there wasn't an answer in the archives.



The TDR has let me down



Had a consistent rumble in all modes, coast, drive, neutral etc. Suspected the rear driveshaft center or carrier bearing. Sure enough. Lots of play and rusty water coming out of it at ~80k on my 97 2500.



NONE of the local parts stores had a listing for this part!!! I can't believe Chrylser chose to use their own unique bearing and the aftermarket still hasn't come out with it.



So I had to go to the dealer for the stupid $127 bearing. (vs $48 from the parts stores for everyother truck on the road. Oh. and the first parts drone handed me a pinion bearing...



Has anyone found a source for it?



Spicer / driveline shop? Part numbers?



I can think of a couple backwoods ways to get around the $127 stealership bearing:



Modify the bracket for the common wider bolt pattern bearings (assuming the bore is the same).



Take apart the cage and swap new guts into old housing. Cut and weld deal.



Got lazy and opted for the bolt in route.



Figured I'd vent, brainstorm and maybe save someone else the $$.



Regards,



Rick B

97 Ram resting comfortably in the garage with no rear shaft.

 

[PHaller]

Take the # off the old bearing and call a bearing supply house. DC does not have propriatary bearings. The number should correspond to a bearing at the bearing supply.

-Paul R. Haller-

 

[redram]

I replaced mine 3 years ago and found it at a quality driveline shop (have to go to one that works on trucks, not an automotive only one).



And yes, it is weird how Dodge Engineers can take a 20 dollar commonly available part and make it cost 100+.



This part is available from out side the dealer network but it is a "Dodge" only part, not interchangeable without modifications with other marque vehicles.



I did your rank 3 years ago.

 

[illflem]

My understanding is that the rubber isolator is a dealer only part, the bearing not.



Advantage of my regular cabs -- one piece driveshaft

 

[BoirosR]

Paul, not a hint of a number on the new or the old. Blank looking part in a Mopar box.



Illflem, it's a welded assembly. I considered taking it apart, the guts look universal, but bailed and got the Dodge one.



I went to a good truck-type parts counter, but not a driveline shop...



I thought sure someone would have posted a part number when I searched





Rick

 

[Bob Horrell]

When I replaced mine I couldn't get it apart, so I took the driveshaft to a shop that does big rig drivelines and race cars etc. They had to cut it off. They had a whole new assy. in stock and charged $70 for the part and the R&R.

 

[Reb.B]

had to replace mine a couple of times and i ran into the same problem, Dealer item only! i wasn't the happiest guy that week, anyway, the way to get around the dealer is to buy a mount that is similiar (the bearring is the same and so is the rubber holder) but u need to cut out your bearring and rubber holder and slide in the new one. To do this u need to grind the welds on the steel mount, then when u finish pulling out the old rubber and bearring and putting in the new ones, then weld it back together. I did this several times. I have all the stuff here to fix it so it was very cost effective, but if somebody doesn't have the stuff then it might get expensive. I'll try to get part numbers on that bearring and rubber u need. I know it was a Spicer part, if anybody needs this done, i'd be happy to help, only takes about 20 mins to do it, . . Reb

 

[redram]

I'll check in my box of old parts and dig through my receipts for a part number but I want to say that Spicer does have a replacement part number for the center bearing assbly for the Dodge two piece shafts for the 95-98 at least.



And it was only half of the Dodge cost for the part and also included the installation onto the drive shaft.

 

[BoirosR]

So my $127 delaer part didn't even have the same thread size in it. Had to dig out some 7/16" SAE. Hate metric stuff about as much as dealer parts, so no love lost over those 2 bolts.



Rick

(truck is smooth again)