The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1959 Apache - changing driveshaft carrier bearing?

I thought merely unbolting the old bearing would give me enough play in the driveshaft to remove the bearing but no such luck. Is there a special method to change out the bearing?

Thanks!
Alden

Are you talking about the carrier bearing inside the third member or are you talking about the center bearing in a 2 piece drive shaft. If it is the center bearing, you will have to take a U-joint apart and probably take the front shaft out and put it on a bench. The old bearing is probably rusted to the shaft.

likely have to remove one universal and drop the shaft ... if you don't have a manual, this one should cover whatever size you have, a shop manual is pretty handy when you're into these ol rigs

Bill

Remove the U-bolts from the rear end and tape up the bearings so they don't fall off. Remove the two carrier bolts and pull out the shaft from the transmission. An oil pan under the transmission would be a good idea. A perfect time to replace the transmission seal too. Mark the two shafts so they go together in the same relationship to each other that you take them off. This will help keep the balance of the shafts. You may want to think about replacing the three knuckle bearings while you are at it.

I'm referring to the carrier bearing in the middle of the driveshaft like this one (but on a 1/2 ton)

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/projects/milliman4400/driveshaft2.jpg

I'm not sure if mine is considered a 2-piece or a 3-piece. There are 3 u-joints and 3 sections of driveshaft including the 10" (roughly) piece that goes through the carrier bearing.

I correct myself. - three knuckles.

Don't order a carrier bearing for your vehicle, or you will get the bearings for inside the 3rd member. What you are looking for is a center bearing. Take the U-bolts off the U-joint to gain access to the large nut holding the companion flange or yoke. Remove the nut and the companion flange. The center bearing will then come off. As I mentioned before, you might want to take this section of drive shaft off and do the work on a bench. The companion flange and bearing can sometimes be rusted pretty tight. Are you sure the bearing is bad? If there is a lot of play, it may just be the rubber cushion.