Carrier bearings and the home mechanic

Good afternoon gang,

A local shop I trust has indicated that my carrier bearing is bad and should be rebuilt or replaced. They don't do that work there, so they directed me to another local shop that handles it all. However, that shop doesn't do install/removal and I'd have to take the parts out to bring to them. They implied it was a fairly easy procedure and I can do it with some basic tools.

I'm definitely going to hit the youtube and read everything I can, but do you mind a quick confirmation that this job isn't too rough for a home mechanic?

For what it's worth, I did just replace the rear drums and upgrade the front brakes to Tundra brakes. That was a pretty easy job for me, but honestly felt like just bolting on new parts.

 

Should be plenty of resources available if you search. It's an easy job. Just need to make sure you follow the procedure for torquing the stake nut to set the bearing, and then back it off, and retorque to the stake nut spec. Only other major is keeping the alignment of the drive shaft- use a paint pen to mark things up.

 

It's concerning that two shops can't do this. It's not a complicated process at all. The only thing specialized that MIGHT be needed is a press. I'm not sure it's required for the Tacoma. But the fact that a professional shop doesn't have a piece of equipment that can be purchased from Harbor Freight is concerning.

But to answer your question, it isn't hard.

 

No press required. Just 3 jaw puller or something to get the flange off.

It is a worry that the shops passed up on the work. OP does your frame/drivetrain look like the Titanic?

 

Good to know, I didn't think it was, but couldn't think of any other reason why they would refuse the work.

 

Here is the sticky thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-carrier-bearing.260283/
I suggest also scanning the thread- plenty of posts with good info in there.

 

Well, the first shop would absolutely have pulled it off for me and even kept my truck until they could reinstall it (after rebuild). However they also offered up the fact that it was an easy job, if I wanted to save the labor of them pulling it and reinstalling it.


I'll be diving into the work needed today, thanks for the confirmation all!


Edit: Shoot, didn't even see the sticky thread. Sorry for the time waste!

 

It's weird the shop didn't want to do the job. I think the only special tools I used were a three jaw puller from Harbor Freight and crows foot adapters for re-torquing the drive shaft bolts. Took me maybe two hours to do?

 

Sounds like both shops did not want to touch your truck!

I never needed a puller the ones I did the Yokes slid off as easy. Wow i might have been lucky once,

Mark things take a picture before taking things apart

I like having a New nut ! Not needed but i think they run off with 10mm wrenches all to often.

 

I've changed my bearing a couple times and I've never needed a puller either. Guess we're both lucky.

 

Carrier bearing was an easy job for me. Did it in maybe an hour? Didn't even have to pull the driveshaft, just disconnect it at the carrier bearing and pull it off. Can't see how a press or puller would be needed, but then again I don't live where nature's welding (rust) is an issue

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdh-211750-1x

The spicer 211750-1x literally has a Toyota part number on it, save yourself money on buying OEM and get the same thing

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-carrier-bearing.260283/page-18

 

I did my carrier bearing recently and this video helped me out: https://youtu.be/Ghyoacp7E1E?t=108