Carrier bearing time

[Southpa]

I guess its been about 10 years since I last replaced it. In case anyone is wondering, here are the symptoms I experienced before I got "unlazy" and had a looksee under the truck. Obviously it was a combination of rot/rust, stress, metal fatigue and time. Considering what I put the truck thru since then I figure its about time.

The squeal that was emanating from the steady bearing closely resembles that of a loose fan belt. Of course a squealing belt is the easiest to rule out when troubleshooting as the noise was only evident when rolling in gear and accelerating. I guess the bracket was just dangling at the time, bracket still stationary but rubber gasket is unseated. Eventually the "squeal" goes away and is replaced with a sharp "clunk" every time you hit the accelerator. Thats the bracket (finally broken off) flipping over and then...well, thats when I decided to stop driving But I do not like to think about what could have resulted. Good thing I caught it in time.

[BADSAM]

Wow .... glad you caught it.

[Southpa]

Oh shoot, posted this in the wrong place. Sorry its not a burb, a regular GMC 1970 1/2 ton Custom

[oldiron]

I'll move it over to the pickup forum for you.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

you didnt here it clanging around before it got this bad ???? did you ever grease your driveline ?????????

[Green Machine]

Check your new one for bad spot welds, many need to be welded at the top seam to stay together. Or there is the fancy billet aluminum piece with a poly bushing. Spendy, but nice.

[Southpa]

Just got the parts today. I bought 3 new U-joints, probably don't need them but , what the hell, nice to have some spares kicking around. And as far as "greasing my driveline ?????????" goes...my answer is "No!!!!!!!????, because there is nothing to grease!!!????. The current u-joints are the sealed type as well as the carrier bearing. They (the CB's) are coming out of China, cheap press-fitted, and spot welded bracket hangers that do not resemble the originals. Made to catch water and dirt, rust/rot and then break off. But I will grease the mating shaft/bearing surfaces when installing....thanks for your concern.

[americanmusc1e]

I broke one like that six months after I put it on, we rewelded it and a couple of months later it broke somewhere else. I hate those cheap carrier bearings and am going to put a better one on if I ever get the money.

my Dad says that if you spin your tires alot they break faster. guess thats why mine broke so fast

[brad_man_72]

rust rot and vibration will kill a carrier bearing bracket. miles kill the bearing. oil age and vibration kill the rubber.

when youre taking your shaft apart make sure you mark it so you can put it back together the same way, you know the way it was ballanced. mark trans yoke, bolt on yoke, slip yoke, and slip stub. (if blue coating on stub is worn bad enough to see metal in the splines it really needs to be replaced) if no excessive play is found add some grease and reassemble.

DO NOT PLACE DRIVESHAFT TUBE IN VICE!!!!