The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Carrier bearing question for 58 Chevy Viking 60

How much movement up down side to side is allowed in the drive line carrier bearings? and where is the best place to get?

hippydave,

I did a quick read of the 1955 2nd Series Truck Shop Manual which you can read here on Page 4-66 concerning your carrier bearing question.

It really doesn't give a definition of how much movement is too much, just to clean and inspect the rubber cushion and replace if hardened, cracked, torn or badly distorted. On the bearing itself, it only says to check for broken balls and roughness. My best guess on the bearing is replace it if it shows signs of wear/roughness. It's supposed to be a sealed bearing so if you disassembly it, it must be replaced.

Will have to do some investigating on a source for replacement pieces. The parts books don't list a complete replacement "kit".

The actual bearing used is GM# 3760535 and I have seen NOS ones offered on eBay recently. The 1933-62 Chevy Parts Book indicates that is the correct bearing for 1955-59 1-1/2 ton trucks (as well as 1946-59 3/4 & 1 Ton trucks). The rubber cushion is also available NOS from many eBay sellers. Search for GM# 3730827 and you will find what you need.

Perhaps some fellow "Big Bolt" owners will chime in with some knowledge or sources for the parts besides what I found???

If you have a parts jobber such as NAPA or Oreillys etc. near you that has a Knowledgeable parts man who may be knowledgeable with these old trucks he may be able to fix you up. A few years ago I needed a hanger bearing assembly for one of my trucks, I think it was my '63 C-60. I went to Pronto Auto Parts and told the boss what I needed. He said I needed to tell him the ID of the bearing. He said it would be 1 of 2 sizes he mentioned, I don't remember the sizes now. Anyhow I went home and measured and sure enough he had the carrier bearing assembly on hand.

FWIW my other truck is a '58 Chevy Viking 60. As my username 58n63 suggests.

hippydave, I don't think you'll find any specs for the amount of "slop" allowed. My truck has three driveshafts due to the long wheelbase, both of my midship bearings were loose in the rubber isolator, the bearings themselves turned smooth and quiet. I disassembled the shell and used some old rubber tarp straps to shim the existing rubber and take up the excess looseness. If the bearing itself is rough and has ANY play in it, it's time to replace it. If it's just the rubber, use your imagination and whatever you have on hand to tighten it up, too much play at the midship bearing will show up as driveshaft vibration.

yea mine is the same as far as 2 carrier bearings and 3 drive lines havent pulled the rubbers off yet just noticed I could move them around from slop in the rubber I actually found the rubbers on Rock auto for under $5 ea, didnt know how solid they should be in the rubbers?

The rubber bushing needs to grip the outside race of the bearing tightly enough to keep it from spinning. Only the inner race that's attached to the driveshaft should turn. It sounds like you might need to insert some type of shim between the bearing and the rubber carrier to tighten it up a little.
Jerry

Napa has a listing for the carrier bearing.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PGBPHB88509

Thank you

My 1958 Viking 6400 took the NAPA part Part #: PGB PHB88107A for the driveshaft support bearing.

I got mine at a local truck spring and suspension shop that does driveshafts, but mine was a 1948. If there is a big truck shop like that around you they probably have it. https://www.abbyspring.com/