Carrier bearing question

So I suspect that my carrier bearing may be on its way out, but I have a question as to how much play in the bearing is too much.

I noticed a small vibration that felt like it was coming from under my seat when I was on my way to work the other night. It happened at all speeds, but seemed to lessen when I was coasting. I crawled under the truck and checked the U-joints and they're strong like bull, but I noticed a small amount of play in the carrier bearing. It has less than 1/4" of play in it, more like 1/8" and no clunking. Is it supposed to be solid or have a little bit of slack to allow for drive line flex?

 

I LOVE your Avatar !

 

My oldest daughter did that. She woke me up screaming that the toilet was smoking and in my sleep induced coma, I was trying to figure out what demon my family had summoned. I went in to the bathroom and was greeted by that and a metric ass ton of laughter.....

 

That Avatar brings a smile to my face every time I see it ! It's a CLASSIC for sure. If only I could be so creative . . .

 

It's got rubber so a little play is expected. Usually folks replace because the rubber dries up and cracks and chunks begin falling out. 1/8 of play is very little. Mine had a lot of play and small chunks missing. Get the Spicer brand.

 

I concur with Artsr2002. Mine had roughly 1/2-5/16 play in it. Honestly I don't know how didn't have vibration In the driveline, on the way home from Buying it..?

Spicer unit is the only way to fly...

 

They are designed to have some flex in them. Mine looked old and had a few cracks in it, but overall not much play in it and still in useable condition. The bearing inside the rubber had oblonged the hole into an off center position. Truck wasn’t experiencing vibrations.

New one works nice and has about the same play as the old one. Rubber is newer and the bearing centered with fresh grease.