I am in the process of finally starting this rebuild project after 6 years on hold. I am knocking out the U joints and need to pull the center bearing but am having issues with how it separates from the drive shaft. I am guessing the metal retainer on the shaft at the base of the splines has to come off??? Or does the whole carrier assembly slide off the end of the shaft?? Any help would be appreciated so I don't inadvertantly damage something.
Here's a couple of illustrations that may help. I replaced the entire carrier bearing assembly on my 1954 3604. If you have a Shop Manual, it helps.
Ron - - Dusty53 1954 Chevy 3604 In the Gallery Forum "You can't dance with the Devil and then wonder why you're still in Hell." "They will forget what you've said, and they will forget what you have done but they will never forget the way you made them feel."
The technically correct way to change the center bearing would be with a bearing splitter and a press, but I've changed a bunch of them on the side of the road with a big hammer and a heavy punch to drive the old one off, and a piece of pipe the right size to slip over the spline and drive the new bearing on with the same BFH. Quite often, a failed bearing has northing but the inner race left on the driveshaft. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Sorry for the late reply. Thanks all who helped with the process. I just did not imagine that the rubber cushion would have had such a hold in the carrier bracket. Just needed more push!
Most replacement carrier bearings come with their own bracket, so you probably won't need to reuse the old one. If the vertical spacing isn't correct, you might need to add an appropriate spacer between the carrier bearing and the crossmember. The angle between the front and rear driveshaft is important. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!