Center carrier bearing ?

Hi
What is the best center carrier bearing to buy ?
Is it best to just buy OEM?
I do have a OME 2 inch lift on my 2005 Tacoma 4WD

my cc bearing is worn out

is this a job you can do yourself or does it require a shop/machine shop

thank you for your replies / help

 

Do a search there are threads on carrier bearings.

 

SPICER if you want to do any additional work for added longevity benefits.

 

do you recommend changing all the u joints as well, if your changing center bearing?

 

Hell yeah I do.

 

Do you know of any reputable shops in the bay area, you can recommend?

 

Depends where in the bay area you are.

I can't speak for shops in any part of the bay other than the East Bay.

 

Maybe, maybe not. I did my CB at around 150K and bought all the U-joints. Upon inspection though, the old U-joints were perfect. I didn't change them, and 26K later they are still fine. I do grease my U-joints at every oil change.

 

I am in the east bay (Fremont)

 

How many miles on your truck? Under 150k I wouldn't even bother changing the u joints unless you are hard on it

 

At 130k I just replaced the center joint that had to be removed to replace the bearing. I would’ve done them all but they didn’t need to be replaced. Keep them greased and your fine. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself then don’t. Only difficult part is taking off the main nut when taking the carrier bearing out. I just used an impact to remove the nut. I think it’s a 30mm.

 

My Tacoma has 134k miles, my friend checked U joints he said it was fine but center bearing is definitely bad

 

Driveline Service of Concord/ Pittsburg. Charlas guys do outstanding top notch work, no matter how simple. It is a little drive for you, but it's worth it and if they are not too swamped they will give you a same day turnaround.

They do not do driveshaft install and removal from the actual truck, so you have to bring them the shaft assembly and let them know what you want.

If you supply the part they will fit it on there for you no problem. Let them know you want new U joints as well.

 

What's your take on the need to rebalance the drive shaft following ujoint replacement?

 

Not needed, just make sure you mark all the parts so you can put them back exactly as you removed them.

 

was going to say
my U-joints don't seem bad; not entirely sure how to check them though.

just grease mine; it was a PITA with the stock grease gun attachment. I hear there's some types that make it faster, like a lock n lube coupler

 

No need for rebalance. I use a center punch to make marks on each component of the shaft. That way everything goes back the same way it came out. As long as the U-joints are kept greased, and there is no play, they are good. One thing to keep an eye on is that all 4 legs of the cross get grease. Sometimes one passage will clog and that dead leg will dry out and burn up.

 

There a few good threads on options for center bearing replacements, depending on how handy you are. One of them I started. As far as I'm concerned the factory bearing is "bad" when it is installed. There are two possible upgrades. One is rubber, and the other is polyurethane. Both are good, but require some spacers to be made to set them at the proper height. The rubber part is a lot cheaper. I used the poly version from Inland Empire Driveline Services, and it has been a big improvement over stock.

 

who makes the poly center bushing?

 

Inland Empire Driveline Services,