Carrier bearing or u joints? HELP

I got my 1998 Tacoma 3.4 V6 5 speed with ome dakars in rear with bilstein5 100s. The front is sway away adjustable coil overs. I just had an alignment done. I get vibrations and 10 to 80 KM an hour. 100km is barely noticeable. When you put into gear and pop the clutch you can hear a clunk. Even when you release the clutch normally there's a clunk. I had my buddy go under the truck and he said that clunk is seen on the 3rd member of the rear diff. I have the vibrations when accelerating and d-accerlating. If i put it in neutral and cost its barely there. There is also a terrible noise that sounds like a bearing or some kind of metal noise. The carrier bearing has a 1 inch drop and it also has play up and down. Probably one inch. The u joints feel fine and tight but could they still be shop and or dry? I am really stumped. Like i said there is a screeching/grindy noise when driving down the road 50 percent of the time.

 

anyone?

 

May need to replace carrier bearing or ujoints. There are a ton of things it could be.

 

done a little digging. some other threads sound like mine and are saying carrier bearing.

 

i am going to remove my shaft tomorrow. how do i inspect the u joints when the shaft is off

 

how many u joints are there on the rear shaft?

 

There are 4. Only 2 are really replaceable. The 2 in the middle have a ball and spring between them that is not replaceable from what I have found although I could be wrong. There are however 6 grease zerks on the rear driveshaft. And u joints should be smooth when you roll them side to side. Also while you have the rear shaft out pull it in 4hi and drive around. See if the vibrations goes away. If the rear shaft is pulled it will not harm anything with the front pulling. If you lock it in with the rear shaft still mounted you could break something.

 

One inch is excessive play in your carrier bearing. However, I doubt that's your issue.

 

Take it to the dealership and they'll replace the entire drive shaft and differential

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/293292-does-sound-like-dealership-rip-off.html

 

update. I checked rear u joint and it is shot. it has play in it. Yet yesterday it did not? was it going out? I took shaft off check the front u joint. it is tight BUT when i swing it back and forth i can feel a lump in it like a rough bearing. Should it be completely smooth? Also the carrier bearing spins for ever and when i grab the metal bracket i can wiggle it from side to side easily

 

Following as I'm getting some vibes around 43 and 58 going to replace my carrier bearing once I buy one and figure out how. Any recommendations on carrier bearings?

 

Yes, the Toyota one. It's lasted this long and an Auto Zone Chinese special won't. Here's a write-up I did:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/260283-how-replacing-carrier-bearing.html

 

should a u joint spin smooth like a brand new bearing? i feel a little bumpy on the front

 

yes. It should spin smoothly. If it has a lump in it I would replace it. Replace it with joints you can grease though. And grease the shaft every so often.

 

Normally it will feel smooth, however the steeper the angle, you will run into what feels like a small "bind" as it rotates past the break-over point. I have perfectly good universals in my front driveshaft, but when I lift the truck in the air there is a natural "bind" feeling at the same two spots as the shaft rotates past the break-over. It is very slight, and I can easily use one hand to turn the driveshaft.

When you have the driveshaft out check your rear differential for excessive play and noise as well.

 

I already have the shaft off. when its on my table i play with the front u j and it feels a little lumpy. i will be jacking up the rear end today

 

should the carrier bearing mount/rubber move sides to side an inch when not on the truck?

 

I don't thinks so.

 

thanks. worst case ontario is i replace everything. its not rocket appliances

 

Turns out it was both my u joints and the carrier bearing. Truck has never felt so smooth