The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Driveshaft Question

Hey guys, when taking these 2 piece driveshafts to take the front (long) shaft off do I have the drop the hanger bearing carrier from the frame or does it pull out from the hanger bearing?? I wanna be sure how to do this before I try tuggin at things..... Thanks! (P.S...I do want to replace the hanger bearing,...how do I pull the shaft out of the carrier if i need to?)

Yes,

1. Mark the driveshaft so it goes together the same way it came off because it is balanced (or should be). I usually mark it on the knuckles with a punch, or chalk works. Just don't rub it off. Take out the hanger bearing bolts.
2. remove the bearings from the rear end.
3. Tape up the bearings on the rear knuckle so they don't fall off (unless you ar replacing them).
4. The rear shaft will pull off the center near the hanger now, or you can pull the whole thing out of the tranny.

Oil will come out of the tranny so get a catch pan. Also a good time to replace the rear tranny seal and the driveshaft knuckles. Check the tranny and rear end oil levels when reassembled.

I believe there is a bolt holding them together on that model. You have to put a 3/4 open end wrench in front of the center u-joint & unbolt it.

So then I wouldn't have to pull the carrier from the frame? I guess though it would be easier to replace the hanger bearing if I just took the darn carrier off too. Nuts! Those old bolts are r...u...s...t...e...d...!!! plus it's lovely when rusty dirt covers your goggles and face too!

Those bolts can be hard to get out but the threaded holes are in the bearing so you will get new ones. Once you take it loose the whole assembly will come out.

Ok So I pulled The carrier and hanger bearing assembly off the truck Now my question is... How do I get the old bearing off the driveshaft? I don't see any bolts so do I take a hammer to it? When I look at my new bearing assembly I got from napa it looks like it just slides onto the spline side of the shaft. (On one side of the hanger bearing is splines on the other is the dust cover and large shaft.) HELP!

It is a press fit so you'll need to take it to a machine shop if you don't have a gear puller or press. It should only be snug on the midship stub shaft.