carrier bearing

Carrier bearing on a modified 1996 f150. I am having the universals replaced ( they are making noise), and was wondering how to tell when the carrier goes bad? beside the obvious when it cracks, lol. is it advisable to just go ahead and replace it? The part can't cost that much I suppose. The vehicle has 140k, a 5.8, 4x4, and is a centurion conversion, a full 4 door cab. and pulls a travel trailer.

Reply to
Dave Lee
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"Normally" differentials do not need preventative maintenance beyond changing of the oil. The bearing doesn't cost very much, but the labor is on the steep side. The pre-loading and gear mesh need to be adjusted, making this job beyond the reach of most of us shadetree mechanics.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

The carrier bearing is in the middle of a two piece drive shaft, not in the differential.

I would probably replace the bearing while doing the three u-joints. If there is a good drive shaft shop in the area, I would remove the drive shaft assembly and then have them do it all including rebalancing the assembly. I have one in my area that's all they do is drive shafts and half shafts and the cost is very reasonable. If you do it yourself be sure to mark the drive shafts so they go back together the same way, some have a blind spline so you cant do otherwise, but some do not.

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

For clarification, I guess it's properly a center carrier bearing. I'm sorry for any confusion.

Reply to
Dave Lee

Excuse me! I had the wrong bearing in my head. I'd replace the center bearing with the U-joints.

As for rebalancing, that's perhaps a good idea, but if the shaft is taken apart and put together again in the same orientation, the balance ought not be affected -- making this unnecessary.

HINT Mark all of the places where the shaft can be taken apart, include the yokes where the shaft connects to the trans(tcase) and the differential. Then, make sure to align all of the marks again upon reassembly. I like to use white paint, the kind we used to use as a kid to paint model cars. Use the small brush to draw a smal line on EVERY joint that comes apart -- yokes and slip joints -- and then simply realign the marks during the rebuild.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

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