technojunkie

I just had to replace my center support bearing this weekend, and since I didn't see a howto here I thought I would post one up.

I performed my replacement on-vehicle. Most writeups and the FSM call for removal and replacement on bench. I didn't have a way to keep the shaft clamped off of the vehicle so I got creative.

I don't have the pics right now; I'll upload them when I get home.

Tools needed:

• 2 14mm box wrenches
• 12mm and 14mm sockets and ratchet
• 24mm impact socket and breaker bar
• 3-jaw or bearing Puller (I didn't need to use this, but some folks might)
• Small chisel or trash screwdriver Approx 3/16" wide
• Hammer
• Dead blow/rubber mallet
• Chain wrench, or 6" pipe wrench

Procedure:

1. Remove dust cover from behind CSB (12mm bolts)
2. Clean and mark the driveshaft, you need to be able to align the front shaft to the flange and the flange to the rear shaft yoke. My shaft still had a painted line from a balance job I had done a few years ago.
3. Disconnect rear shaft yoke from front shaft flange (14mm nuts/bolts)
4. Now you should be able to see the staked nut on the inside of the flange. Use the hammer/chisel to carefully open up the stake in the nut. (I've heard that the nut can be safely removed with an impact wrench, but I didn't have one)
5. Attach chain/pipe wrench to the front yoke of the front driveshaft half. My truck was low enough that the chain wrench could be braced against the ground. If you have a lift you may need to find another bracing method (or a helper)
6. Loosen the flange nut with the breaker bar (even after chiseling, this can take a lot of muscle)
7. Detach center support bearing from bracket on frame (14mm bolts)
8. Remove flange nut and washer, then pull the flange and shim,
9. Pull the old bearing
10. Clean old grease and contaminants off of the splines of the shaft, and out of the flange, then replace with fresh grease
11. Slide new bearing onto shaft (FSM says to install with corner cutouts facing rearward)
12. Slide the shim and flange on to drive shaft, ensuring that the marks you made line up. Use a mallet to drive flange onto shaft if necessary.
13. Replace flange washer and nut then hand tighten
14. re-attach center support bearing to support and tighten the bolts to hold the bearing in place.
15. Change the direction of your chain/pipe wrench and torque flange to 134 ft/lbs
16. Back the nut off, then re-torque to 51ft/lbs
17. Using hammer/chisel, stake the nut back into cutout on spindle.
18. re/attach rear half of driveshaft to flange and replace dust cover.