Driveshaft Center Support Bearing lifespan???

So, i have a quick question.

Whats everyones average lifespan of their center support bearing?

I've added 3" of lift with a OME kit, and I've shimmed the leafs, balanced the shaft, and replaced the u-joints and CSB a year ago.

As of a couple months ago, the center support bearing started to have some elliptical wobble. It gradually got worse and worse. I'm at the point where i can see the lateral shake in the rear end at highway speeds (about 50-70mph)

The u-joints are in great shape/lubed well, and I'd like to assume a OEM Toyota center support bearing would last longer than a year...

Anyone else killing center support bearings quickly?

 

86k with 2" lift and no issues once I added the ome carrier bearing drop.

 

Shit, just seen this is 1st gen, sorry

 

I only have about 1.5-2" of lift in the rear, but I replaced my CSB about 6 years ago with a 35 dollar CSB from ebay (I wasn't concerned with OEM parts at the time) and it still is hanging in there. Not much play or vibrations and no squeaks. This leads me to believe an OEM CSB should last a while (depending on how you drive the truck and the angles the driveshaft sees).

 

first off you need the same drop in the carrier bearing as your lift so if you lifted 3 1/2" then do a 3 1/2" drop on the carrier bearing or it will wear itself out from poor alignment.

besides that your driving style and conditions you drive in (mud, swamps, dusty gravel, or sand) make a big difference in how long it lasts as well as the quality of the bearing you use. some cheap aftermarket brands don't last more then one or two years at the most so only usequality OEM bearings if you want itto last as long as the original one.

 

Stock factory one lasted 12.5 years and 160k miles on my 01

 

Not to call you out, but you don't drop the carrier bearing the same amount that you lifted the truck. Just try to get the two portions of the driveshaft in as straight of a line across the carrier bearing as possible.

 

I replaced mine at 125k miles with 40k of those miles being lifted (OME Dakars). It didn't really need replacing but since I had the driveshaft out while doing the flywheel, I decided I'd do it as well. I used TGP for the replacement.

The current one has been fine seeing only 10k miles thus far.

 

I don't remember when I replaced my csb. 5+ years 50-60k+ ago? Truck has had no less than a shackle lift out back and now has a solid 3-4" lift out back. No shims. No drop. No vibes. I think the current csb has seen better days but i don't see a reason to replace it yet.

 

yes this is in fact true, you are correct to point that out. the correct way to do it is to take measurements to calculate the correct amount of carrier drop you need to realign the drivetrain propery.

I was just going by a basic rule of thumb that because of the angles involved it is very close to being correct angle if you use the same drop on the carrier as you use for the lift. its not perfect but it is usually in the ball park and close enough to avoid any vibration issues.

 

$62 Spicer 5002334 Center Bearing

Spicer 5002334 Even says Toyota on it lol. If you ever need to replace yours

 

Mines lasted 250k miles before I replaced it.

 

I will say when I changed mine on my old chevy with aftermarket brands, it would only last a year before needing to be replaced again.

this is one of those items you want to only use oem dealer replacement parts for.

 

Holy crap, really? No one every mentioned that. I did a 4" lift years ago (Deaver leaf spring pack) and didn't touch the drive shaft. What do I need to look for? By the way, still have original center bearing. If you take the driveshaft and move it, it really moves the rubber around in the housing. Is that correct?

 

I was told it shouldn't have more then about 1/4" of movement in the rubber of the carrier bearing in any direction.

not adjusting the carrier bearing after a lift will often cause vibration issues from the u-joints binding as it turns so its not a smooth rotation. this reduces u-joint lifespan but not necessarily will make them go bad. if you have low speed or high speed vibrations it from not lowering the carrier bearing. as pointed out its not exact drop to lift ratio but you should do the measurements to get your driveshaft back into alignment. it seams to be more of a problem when doing a spacer block lift then a leaf spring lift so that might be why you didn't notice any vibrations or maybe bigger tires masked it so you never noticed it.

 

I haven't noticed any vibrations.

 

most likely just using the leafs for the lift may have kept your drivetrain angles the same?

still wouldn't be a bad idea to take a few measurements to make sure its within specs

 

I am not sure what to measure..... I did take a long straight-edge (level) and the driveshaft definately has a pronounced "bend" at the center support. I guess I can get on McMaster and order two spacers to go under the center bearing support bracket bolts to lower the bearing (1"?).

 

I wouldn't just start moving it yet until you know by how much it needs to be moved, or maybe your close enough that its ok as-is