Carrier Bearing - Play Allowance

Hey all, trying to find out how much play is acceptable in the carrier bearing assembly. I just started noticing intermittent vibration when you coast after hitting 55-60 mph. There is no vibration any other time. I regularly grease the driveline when I change oil, all the u-joints seem fine.

To me the carrier bearing seems like it has too much play. I was trying to reference the video in this previous thread, but doesn't look like it's available any longer: https://www.tundras.com/threads/center-carrier-bearing-play.45911/

I took my own video but it doesn't seem I can upload it - it is a .mp4 video (I don't have a YT account)? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

Sorry if I come off as short or curt, but I'm working in the garage and noticed your post.

If you have over 150k on the truck and do not know the service history of the driveline, I would say it's very likely it's time to replace the carrier. The fact that you're *here* and mentioning vibes clearly shows there's an issue. Don't be surprised if a driveline shop also recommends u-joints.

Edit: my point being that you intuitively already understand something isn't quite right, and you're probably correct. No need for a spec. You're already getting symptoms/signs it's out of spec.

 

It's a 2006 and I am at 120k miles, I'm the second owner but I have the full service history as far as I know. Driveline is original I believe.

I don't have any issues with doing the maintenance, I've done u-joints before but I've never had a truck with a carrier bearing like this.

So in short I fully expect to replace the driveline components, even preventatively if they are not the culprit. But I would like to learn more about this component because several posts say that with the rubber carrier, play is expected.

Appreciate your thoughts here!

 

If you can wiggle the driveline up and down more than 1/4" inside the carrier bearing i would say its about time for a new one
If you can wiggle the driveline up and down more than 1/2" inside the carrier bearing i would say its definitely past time for a new one

 

I get it. I'm into the preventative aspect as well. If it were me, I would replace the u-joints and the carrier at this point, but that's me. Just remember, the driveline is a system. It is possible there are other worn components in the system that are contributing to your symptoms (e.g. worn mounts). Hard to say. You're just in a situation where you have to bite the bullet.

 

You have to keep in mind that the components are currently under load, or tension, and once released, may exhibit more play than when connected. An experienced driveline shop will understand this.

Also, lack of cracking on the seal does not necessarily mean the bearing is still good and in spec.

 

Not a difficult job but be sure to mark the driveshaft sections with a paint pen to properly clock the driveshaft and preserve the balance on reassembly. The CB and u-joints are Dana Spicer from the factory so buy those not Toyota as they are the identical part and significantly less expensive.

 

I probably have a solid 1/2" - 3/4" of play in my carrier. My 2006 Tundra has 80k salt-free, well-maintained miles as of last month.

My carrier bearing is perfectly fine and healthy.

It's my observation the carrier bearings on these trucks intentionally have a fairly wide amount of movement in them and I disagree with your assessment.

 

It would be highly unusual for these to have been balanced as an assembly from the factory.

 

Really? Please explain.

 

You don't mark your driveshafts so you can easily re-clock them as they were when reassembling? What's the logic there?

 

U joints being in phase is a real thing?

 

Are you being serious or facetious?

I love answering questions with questions?

 

I thought you knew me better?

 

This is a pretty subjective as well - being that the driveshaft is a hefty unit and getting under the truck and pushing it up/down has the capacity to yield a hell of a range given different folks with different strokes.

OP - as any other vibration thread goes, there are lots of considerations and so many posts on this topic. It could be as simple as some mud/road debris that has caked itself onto the inner wheel throwing one (or more) wheels off balance to a poor observance from the poster who later realizes they were driving a a shitty stretch of road during their normal route (intermittent in nature) and decided to post up the problem on here.

That being said, 120k and trucks age aren't out of question for carrier replacement (mine was done around 170k).

 

Here is the video of my carrier bearing. Again, I'm at 120k, original driveline, and I get slight vibrations when the driveline is unloading (letting off the accelerator at highway speeds). I think this could be my issue but I am not certain.

 

You just answered your own question. Definitely time for carrier replacement. Again, I would do u-joints as well because it functions as a system. IOW, any worn components will wear out new components quicker.

Keep us posted, please.

 

Perfect, good to know. I called my local NAPA, they have a machine shop and will balance the driveshaft when I bring it to them. This truck is not my daily driver so I can pull the shaft and do it myself. Thank you!

 

Absolutely. I was going to edit and suggest a balance of the shaft. You're on the right track.

 

Mine definitely doesn't CLUNK CLUNK like that when dropping it.

 

Dana Spicer 5002007 is the correct part. It's the same as Toyota 37235-35030 just a lot cheaper.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/dana,5002007,drive+shaft+center+support+/+bearing,12743

 

I ended up ordering Dana PN 2117501X. I am not sure what the difference is

 

You're fine, you got the correct one for your application.

 

They are the same - both 1.81” ID bearings.

 

Not really the correct one for your 4X4.
There are 2 bearings that fit and both will work but the one for the 4X4 has seals on both sides and the other one does not have seals.
Your original will probably be marked Toyota 37235-35030. Dana Spicer 5002007 is the correct part with seals on both sides. It's actually marked 37235-35030.
On Dana's site 2117501X looks like 5002334 with no seals. It's for the 2WD.

 

Then you really should've verified ahead of time. People have been thru it here and know from experience. There's a thread on it.

 

Mine had a weight stuck to one of the parts and had a sticker saying that they are balanced from factory.

I replaced u-joint 2 weeks ago and at the same time checked my carrier bearing and it was smooth and had practically no play when I spun it when the drive shaft was off the truck so I was surprised that when people said having play is normal.

When you install it, don't forget the side with 1 hole is the bottom (towards the ground).

 

Darn, I hope that's not the case, I specifically chose the one for 4WD. re's a picture of the one I chose from the selection I have.

I'll call Rock Auto tomorrow.

 

If you find a way to reach RockAuto by phone, let us know. I spent 30 minutes trying to find a way to talk to a human and came up short. Had to email and wait for a reply. There surely has to be a better way. Their support is f’n awesome when you get someone. Just with it was easier to get someone!

 

OK, Bourbon, I don't mean to clutter your thread, but I may have learned something today, and perhaps you have, too.

I saw exactly what Bourbon saw from RA re: the carrier bearing application, and from numerous other reputable outlets as well, including Summit Racing. So, in light of this, does this mean that, technically, the 2WD version will fit and function on the 4WD version of our trucks? If so, it logically follows that the 4WD version will technically fit and function on a 2WD truck. Am I missing something?