Question about center support bearing.

[LilRobert1367]

Hi everyone, Is there a way to determine what size of bearing I need without pulling the drive shaft off and pulling the bearing? I've tried finding out based off the vin but since it pre 1980s the vin lookup won't work. Any help would be greatful

 

[DoubleDingo]

Back in the day, it was probably normal to remove it, disassemble, measure the diameter, go to the parts store and pick up the correct one, install it, reassemble, reinstall, and the job was done. Now it's NOT so easy.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I will share this story from almost 40 years ago. About an hour from home, center bearing gave out on Mean Green. Was going to disassemble and use the little ball-peen hammer and chisel I had in the tool kit to remove it. Instead, slid the driveshaft halves apart, took them back home in the trunk of the car after Johnny's girlfriend drove down to get us. The next day I asked Pop if he could swap it for me since the shop had a press. He said it took 9 tons to pop it loose and the press jumped when it popped loose, and the sound was like a gunshot. I forget where I was at the time, I think running errands to gather stuff that may be needed down where the truck was. I just remember walking in to him buttoning up the job and telling me the story. 9 tons! He said he had never experienced that before while removing a center bearing.

 

[idahovette]

@DoubleDingo You would still be beatin' n that thing with your ball peen......wow 9 TONS

 

[DoubleDingo]

@DoubleDingo You would still be beatin' n that thing with your ball peen......wow 9 TONS

For sure...lol...

 

[ali_c20]

Hi everyone, Is there a way to determine what size of bearing I need without pulling the drive shaft off and pulling the bearing? I've tried finding out based off the vin but since it pre 1980s the vin lookup won't work. Any help would be greatful

You just have to remove the rear driveshaft to measure the diameter of the splined end of the front shaft.
Also measure the center line (bearing center to mounting surface) of the bearing assembly, there are 2 different types.
Buy a quality bearing assembly.

Removal of the Bearing:

-Remove the metal and the rubber parts and pull off the bearing with a long puller.
-Remove the outer bearing ring and carefully cut 2 grooves as deep as possible on the inner on 2 sides ( do not cut into the driveshaft!) Hit one of the cuts with a chisel and the ring should break and can be pulled of easily.

I always use the cutting method as it's quick and the bearing gets replaced anyways.

Bearing install can be done with a piece of thick walled pipe and a hammer, the shaft has to be clean and free of rust.

 

[Strick]

9 tons!

I changed one out last year and just used the cut-off wheel to remove the center race. I believe it was the easiest center bearing that I ever replaced. I totally agree with @DoubleDingo about it not being easy to go to the parts house and get the correct stuff either. Chinesium and the google machine "knowing everything" instead of employees measuring a caliper or looking in a book has made the parts industry totally different than when I was in the business.
I just missed a question on an ASE test about a bad sensor on TPMS. Out of all the answer choices how the question was worded about a sensor not syncing (four new sensors) it seemed the choice would be tire pressure incorrect. NO, the answer was a bad sensor out of the box!!!!!!

HS

 

[DoubleDingo]

I changed one out last year and just used the cut-off wheel to remove the center race. I believe it was the easiest center bearing that I ever replaced. I totally agree with @DoubleDingo about it not being easy to go to the parts house and get the correct stuff either. Chinesium and the google machine "knowing everything" instead of employees measuring a caliper or looking in a book has made the parts industry totally different than when I was in the business.
I just missed a question on an ASE test about a bad sensor on TPMS. Out of all the answer choices how the question was worded about a sensor not syncing (four new sensors) it seemed the choice would be tire pressure incorrect. NO, the answer was a bad sensor out of the box!!!!!!

HS

Your answer was also correct, just not to them

 

[Sad Sack]

I changed one out last year and just used the cut-off wheel to remove the center race. I believe it was the easiest center bearing that I ever replaced. I totally agree with @DoubleDingo about it not being easy to go to the parts house and get the correct stuff either. Chinesium and the google machine "knowing everything" instead of employees measuring a caliper or looking in a book has made the parts industry totally different than when I was in the business.
I just missed a question on an ASE test about a bad sensor on TPMS. Out of all the answer choices how the question was worded about a sensor not syncing (four new sensors) it seemed the choice would be tire pressure incorrect. NO, the answer was a bad sensor out of the box!!!!!!

HS

Or a bad wireless receiver that gets the signals from the TPMS sensors. I have had that happen.

 

[LilRobert1367]

Man this blow up but here is an update. I found the old part number on the rubber after I pull the drift shaft off the truck. It was hard to read it due to how bad the rubber was but I was able to figured it out. Im going to write the part number down in my repair manual just so I have the part number. Thanks to everyone that replied.