Mid Shaft Bearing????

[reliabilty]

I just bought a 68 long wheel base custom cab. It has the 390 w/C6 transmission. The truck was making an aweful noise when taking off coming from underneath the truck. I looked at the Drive Shaft and there is a rubber bushing held in place by a U bracket. The bushing is completely worn into allowing it to be metal to metal. I am assuming this is where the noise is coming from. Is this something I can replace myself or would it be better to pay someone to do it. Also if I do it myself does any one have installation instuctions. By the way this truck is in really good shape the motor purrrrs like a kitten, transmission is smooth. Fell in love with it driving it home last night. When I was considering buying this truck I spent alot time here. All you guys posting about your trucks and how much information comes from this site was a big influence for me. Thanks in advance for your help!!!

[SteveC]

that would be your carrier bearing. if i remember correctlly it is pressed on,,, if you have accsess to a press the you could put it on but it might be easier to take it to a good drive shaft place my
hope that helps

[kaptnkaos]

Unless you have a local drive shaft shop you can take it to, the best way to deal with the carrier bearing is to cut them off with a cutoff wheel...
That's what most mechanic shops will do, since they aren't usually equipped to press off the carrier bearing.
(that's what I did when I replaced mine)
To replace the bearing, I used a 2x2 and a BFH to seat it in place... pretty simple.
I have also heard of guys using a fire wrench and cutting the bearing off with it.

KaptnKA S

[Alvin in AZ]

I agree with both posts. LOL :)

Do it yourself and/or take it to a drive line shop, take your pick. ;)
The advantage to taking it in is they can straighten and re-balance it.
That's worth every penny if you want it to run smooth down the highway
and want it to last both.

Alvin in AZ

[reliabilty]

Thanks for the post guys... I opted to take it to a shop.

[FLATBEDFORD]

Had a shop do mine. I had them put new U-joints in it too. The truck rides so much smoother after I had the pros work on the shaft. I'd say it is worth paying for the shaft service.

[court1100f]

whats a reasonable price to have this stupid carrier bearing removed and replaced???? Mines a 68 aswell but with the 3 on the tree instead of the C6 I can handle the universals myself

[fordman]

u joints are easy if you have a vice to put the new ones back in. the cost of bearing and all should be under 50.00 i would think. its not that hard of a job to press one off and then the new one back on. some places will press it on and off for free if you buy the bearing from them.

[Alvin in AZ]

x2 on what Fordman said. :)
And what Court said too... :)

I can handle the universals myself

IME tho, I've never had to mess with either one. :)
The drive shaft shop took care of them for me.

But not because I'm stupid and lazy and ugly but because there was something
else wrong every time either of those went bad and so I took the shaky suckers
to them and they'd straighten and balance 'em and make 'em run truer than
when they was new. No kidding.

Next time you got your rig up on blocks start that baby up and check out the
drive shafts for vibration etc. If they aren't spinning smooth and straight and
pretty as anything (and if you want them to;) take 'em off and haul 'em to the
drive shaft shop. BTDT twice on my '75 so far in 34 years. Was well worth the
money both times even for an old clunker, becasue this old clunker puts most
of its miles on the freeway, or freeway speeds anyway. ;)

Alvin the stupid lazy ugly ol' Gringo in AZ
ps- don't know, haven't done it, but if you run over yourself, I bet it'd hurt.