Carrier Bearing Movement

I've been getting some vibration and am trying to narrow it down. While under the truck today greasing the u joints I noticed a lot of play in the carrier. I can easily move the drive line 1/2" within the bearing. Is this normal?

About 4 months ago I took my truck into the dealer and had the leaf recall done. Immediately after leaving the dealer I noticed a vibration at lower speeds while accelerating. I took it back and complained about it. They told me that one of the u joints and the carrier needs replaced and it would cost around $700. Even though I knew it wouldn't happen, I told them to put all my old stuff back on. They split the cost with me which I agreed. It's never been perfect since but it seems the vibration is getting worse.

All the other joints seem good but the movement in the carrier makes me suspect it. As stated, I can easily move the dl 1/2 within the carrier and much more if I muscled it. Just wanting to know if it should have play in it.

Thanks

 

There should be a little play in the support bearing but it should be very tight.

Recently replaced all the u-joints and CSB on mine.

What does the part look like, the metal, rubber, etc?

 

Metal 2 hole strap type of thing with rubber within it. I'm not exaggerating when I can easily move it 1/2 or so.

 

Can't answer that as I am mostly on fairly level ground. It is the worst accelerating from a stop, up until 35-40 mph. Even at highway speeds I notice my rear view mirror is slightly distorted from a vibration.

 

The CSB doesn't look all that bad. How many miles since the work was done?

When I did mine I put a liberal amount of bearing grease in there.

I'd start by ensuring the bolts are properly torqued.

 

About 7k or so. I'll check it out, thanks

 

Wonder if it's axle wrap. It's possible the technician actually followed the FSM and torqued the leaf spring U-bolts to ~37 ft-lb, which is waaay too low. Take a torque wrench and tighten them to 80 ft-lb.

 

I just replaced the u joints on my 09 for the second time since i got the truck (once at 150k and once more at 220k). I have yet to replace my carrier bearing. I was however getting a loud popping noise when accelerating at high rpm in 1st gear or like @socataco said, while the driveshaft was loaded and going uphill. It ended up being my needle bearings in the u joint closest to my rear diff. Replaced them all since i had the shaft out anyways and now its quiet when i accelerate hard or go uphill.

The time prior to this, when i first got the truck, i would hear a rotational squeaking noise while taking off in first and second gear. The sound would get faster as i accelerated until at about 20-25mph, i couldnt hear it anymore

I would venture to say its more than likely your u joints causing the vibes, but it could also be the carrier. If i were you, i would start out by replacing all the u joints and see if the vibes continue and then consider doing the carrier bearing since it requires a bearing puller tool to uninstall/reinstall it. U joints can be replaced with very little mechanical knowledge (if you do some research beforehand) and basic tools most people have. For example, i just replaced my u joints and ive never wrenched on a car in my life prior to this. In fact its such a simple job(just time consuming) that i replaced all four in my moms FJ cruiser last weekend as well.

The stealership will want to charge an arm and a leg for u joint replacements.. for my prerunner they charged me 650 to replace all three and yesterday i called to get a quote to replace all four on the fj and they wanted 1100. Save yourself some money and try to do it yourself if thats a possibility! Good luck!

 

Took my torque wrench and tightened them down. My cheap HF didn't click and 80# is the max range of the wrench. I was hesitant to keep going and it felt like it should have at the point I took it to. It seems there is an improvement after tightening them and my next step will be to replace the other u joints as rjbiii suggested. Thanks!

 

Get a better torque wrench. It'll come in handy for other stuff on the truck (like lugnuts, 82 ft-lb...).