Did I get a bad bearing? This is the diff carrier bearing. I had to press the old bearing off but the new bearing slides on and off by hand. It’s REALLY close but I am able to put it on and remove it by hand. Also, when I spin the bearing while it’s on, the inner race can spin on the carrier. The other side (same part number) pressed on like normal and seems fine. Surely my carrier isn’t messed up, right? I know, it’s nasty. I put in on and off multiple times and got oil all over it. I’ll clean it up before final instal.

 

What does the surface of the carrier look like where the bearing lays??
Any evidence that there has been movement there in the past???

Seems that it is likely that the carrier is indeed damaged.

 

doesn't look like it. The factory bearing was tight and had to be pressed off. I’ll get a pic of it tomorrow. I’m also gonna press the factory bearing back on (despite wanting to possibly damage it more) just to see if it is in fact still tight on there.

 

Have you got instruments that could accurately measure the inside diameter of both old and new bearings???

 

I do. I measured the new bearing and the carrier, the bearing is like a .001-.002 bigger (can’t remember what it was off hand.) Like a dummy, I didn’t measure the old bearing. 🤦‍♂️ guess that’s on the check list for tomorrow…dang it. If I knew what they are supposed to measure out to I would know which one is incorrect. I’m sure that spec is some where on the internets. Suppose the old bearing would give me the correct measurement. Dang, I feel dumb for not checking that grrr.

 

It should be possible to find the bearing spec measurements on the internet

 

So, it appears I need a new micrometer, I guess. Didn’t have but a couple minutes to play around this morning. Here’s what I got.

inside diameter of a Nachi 17887 bearing = 1.7807
Inside diameter of MY Nachi 17887 bearing = 1780
outaide diameter of MY carrier = 1780

but yet the new bearing slips. My tool has to be failing me. I’m going to play around some more this evening. I’ll update.

 

Take a punch and put a few divots the surface of the carrier where the bearing slides on. then it will press on and stay tight. #sheetboxtech

Like this ( found this on google)

 

There was a time and a truck that I would make a sheet box repair on. However, not this truck. This one is a frame off restoration and it’s getting the whole treatment.

 

Well, pressed the new bearing off the other side, put it on the bad side and it fits the same way….now what? What’s the fix for my diff? Have the machine shop weld it and re-turn it down to size? What I’m NOT willing to do is put a bunch of dimples in it to “make” it fit.

 

Stock 4 cyl type carriers are not expensive
I see brand new Yukon Gear carriers for about $160.
You ought to be able to buy a good used original Toyota carrier for forty or fifty bucks.
Guys are always upgrading to lockers and stuff.
Look inside the side gear pockets for wear when you examine used ones too.
Sometimes stuff happens there.
Are there any shops near you that build diffs you might check with??
I can't imagine that building yours up and machining it would be an economical proposition.

 

The local machine shop guys are pretty awesome. They probably wouldn’t charge me a whole lot. I’m gonna do some calling around to see about a used one and talk to them about machining it.

 

You might want to read through some of the installs on ZUKs page at gearinstalls.com. Specifically here is one I saw : https://www.gearinstalls.com/charles.htm

In the install I linked there, the carrier bearing came off by hand, and what he does is scuff up the surface a bit and uses Loctite Sleeve Retainer compound. I have seen several of his installs where he uses the sleeve retainer compound, and I'm pretty sure he mentions the loose fitting carrier bearings quite a bit.

 

Awesome!! Thanks so much!!