Thousand-Mile Driveshaft Bearing

[JBX66]

So yesterday I was driving my truck home when I heard this awful scraping noise coming from underneath the truck I pulled over as fast as I could and when I looked under the truck, lo and behold the center bracket for the driveshaft had ripped itself off of the frame. I put this bracket on literally 1200 miles ago, replacing the old one which had appeared to rust away (the rubber was gone anyway, so I had figured a new one would be necessary). I had a machine shop press the new u- joints and bracket into place.

Does anyone have any idea why this could have happened?

[rickywideglide]

what carrier bearing style do you have, one that hangs down or horseshoe style that bolts to the bottom...

[rickywideglide]

just saw one of your previous posts, looks like you have the one that hangs down, is it possible bolts backed out? or if truck was lowered and pinion angle was not correct,

[JBX66]

I do have the one that hangs down. Truck is at pretty much stock height, when I looked, the bolts were still in place and the metal at the top was still bolted on.

[rickywideglide]

the one on my truck failed ,but metal bracket was still in place, i think mine failed from trailing arm bending due to being badly rusted but not positive because i had lowered my truck, not sure if that helps

[Captainfab]

It could just be a poor quality replacement part. Are the bearings seized or do they still spin?

[65chevysub]

Had a similar situation with my Suburban. spot welds broke and carrier bearing dropped onto the crossmember. Luckily no damage as I don't know how long it had been like that. Noticed it when I got under the truck to pressure wash it. Also, aftermarket CB's that hang down, have poor spot welds on the housing. I ended up bolting the case together with small bolts, lockwashers, and locknuts. Just out of curiosity, can I change to the horseshoe style? I am planning on a 2" drop in the rear only as well.

[Captainfab]

Yes you can change to the HD carrier bearing, but you will have to change the entire driveshaft also. I make the mounting bracket for the HD carrier bearing.

[65chevysub]

Thanks Captain. I had considered that, or do you think it would be better to just convert to a 1 piece? If so, what diameter should I use?. I'm trying to get my trans issue figured out but when I do, I will do either the HD bearing, or the 1 piece.

[Captainfab]

On a Suburban I see no reason to not go to a 1 piece driveshaft.

[65chevysub]

Captain. What diameter tube do you recommend? Stock 283, nothing fancy. TH350.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Someone puts out a billet housing for those. ive seen them advertised in magazines but I don't remember where. A guy might check with Speedway.

[JonnyC10]

Cpp has them on ebay for $90 shipped.

[Bears63]

Having experienced issues with early failure and weird things with carrier bearings, a huge cause can be an out of balance drive shaft assembly. Did you have the drive shaft balanced when the bearing and u-joints were replaced?

[Captainfab]

I'm not a drive shaft specialist. The one on my Suburban is about 3-1/4 or 3-1/2" diameter

Originally Posted by 65chevysub

Captain. What diameter tube do you recommend? Stock 283, nothing fancy. TH350.