68 C20 Two Piece Driveshaft Support

[jroy1082]

I'm looking to replace the driveshaft support on my 68 C20, the bearing is shot which I think is causing the vibration I'm feeling over 40mph. The problem I'm having is it looks a lot different than all of the replacement parts I'm seeing. This one has two pieces that are bolted together and then there are four bolts holding it to the bracket mounted on the cross member (the front two bolts are missing in these pictures). I'm guessing this is the original one, what would be a good replacement? All of the replacements I'm seeing only use two bolts so I just want to make sure I order the right one.

[ERASER5]

My 70 has that support. It is bada$$ strong! Between the 2 clam shells is just normal every day bearing with a rubber doughnut around it. I kept my box for the doughnut so I can get the part number for you, the bearing can be measured and ordered from a bearing company. The only one that could find my bearing in the catalog was a NAPA dealer, it only took him 3 days.

Other wise, I have a spare shaft with an industrial pillar bearing installed and bolted to a piece of angle iron to match the cross member.

[jroy1082]

Glad to hear it's strong, I'd rather just rebuild this one instead of replacing it then since the replacements look a lot weaker. If you could get me the part number for the rubber I would really appreciate it!

[68Gold/white]

The 2 bolt unit is the lighter duty unit commonly found on just about every 72 and earlier pickup, even into the early 60's.. It is NOT the replacement for your carrier bearing!!! I sold auto parts from 1985-1998. I would not own anything but a GM vehicle, BUT the 2 bolt carrier bearings remind me of a better idea by ford...

My 68 C-10 (w/ 396, TH400) has your style bearing. If you get me the engine, trans, GVW, bed length and such info. I will try to help you get proper part numbers for what you need.
Keep in mind parts books can still be inaccurate concerning u joint info.
Jeff

[jroy1082]

I appreciate the help! Its a 1968 C20, 8 cylinder, three speed, 8' bed, and off the top of my head the gvw is 5700lbs. If I could get the parts before I took it apart it would be a lot easier.

[68Gold/white]

3 speed manual trans???

[jroy1082]

Yes, that's correct. It is now anyways, not sure if its original.

[Captainfab]

There is yet a 3rd design carrier bearing commonly referred to as the HD carrier bearing which is used on the HD driveshaft.

[ERASER5]

I checked my old stash and I misremembered. Seeing the parts brought back the memory. I kept the bearing box, the doughnut box was already wasted when I got it.

The bearing is a NAPA BR88107. My old doughnut has has a small tear in it. If yours is mangled, and you cannot find one, mine is available for ummmm... One million dollars! Buy it would also come with some cool sharks with freaking lasers on the heads! Seriously if you need it, it's yours.

BK 6021050 is a NAPA number for a rubber piece for the center support but it looks wrong. Worth a check.

[jroy1082]

I appreciate the part number for the bearing! I have that ordered, I'm hoping the rubber is still ok but I'm not holding my breath. I appreciate the offer, I'll get it torn apart and see how bad it is.

[72timemachine]

If it is just your donut rubber, my buddy had one go bad in his 75 van with a 2 piece drive shaft......on downshift (3 on the tree) I thought the dive shaft was going to come through the floor at us.

He found a new donut at Car Quest for like 7 bucks although it was a one piece housing it worked out great so check it out they might have cheap one for your 2 piece.

[68Gold/white]

5 years later. I made some calls to folks I buy parts from, did not get the answer I was looking for either...I finally found my old parts books. I sold auto parts from 1985-1998....

There are 2 choices on the u-joints (by a parts book, which can still be WRONG, beware). There's 2 sizes of cups (all 4 cups on u joints are same size), either 1-1/16" or 1-3/16". The 1-1/16 inch cup part number is Precision part number 369 (the most common for a 1/2 ton) and the 1-3/16" Precision part number is 331.

I know your pickup is a 3/4 ton, the 369 is listed for the standard 3 speed manual trans and the 331 is listed for the heavy duty 3 speed manual trans or the 4 speed manual.

The book shows that all 3 u-joints on the vehicle to be the same part number

The carrier bearing is BCA (Federal Mogal) part number HB-5. This carrier bearing is an assembly. it comes assembled, the bearing is surrounded by a large rubber band. I have not tore my carrier bearing apart to confirm whether or not you will need anything else to replace your carrier bearing.

The rubber piece thats coming apart in your picture does not look like the rubber piece on my new carrier bearing. Your carrier bearing WAS listed in my old parts catalog for your C20, but not listed for my C-10. Stuff for my 396 pickup is a little hard to lookup sometimes...

I believe the Precision brand is now sold under the Moog brand, same part numbers...

Just keep in mind that aftermarket u joint parts listings can be incorrect!!!

Captinfab
I believe I saw a picture of the carrier bearing setup you speak of. There's a picture of a build here (somewhere...) the bearing I saw, sits on top of the mounting bracket, instead of hanging down from it (like the 73-up pickups do).

[jroy1082]

Thanks for the info, I already ordered the bearing that ERASER5 mentioned, NAPA BR88107. It came in the other day I just need to find the time to pull the driveshaft out and tear the support apart to see if I need the rubber piece or not. Not sure if it makes a difference or not but it has rear leaf springs and I believe by the SPID this is a custom camper (it lists camper nameplate and wiring). It also mentions it has HD springs all the way around and was originally a 327.

[ERASER5]

My 70 is a C1500 GMC, HD springs(so says the SPID), and leaf springs. As I said, my original rubber doughnut only had a small edge tear and was likely done removing it. My parts guy found a NOS doughnut and I bought it and put it to use. Just for giggles, I cleaned the old one up and wiped it with vasoline like grease (those little packets you get for brakes and stuff), wrapped it in a shop towel and stored it on top the old bearing. yes, I'm a pack rat, but that pays off sometimes. I've given a few original parts away to guys wanting full restoration stuff.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by jroy1082

Thanks for the info, I already ordered the bearing that ERASER5 mentioned, NAPA BR88107. It came in the other day I just need to find the time to pull the driveshaft out and tear the support apart to see if I need the rubber piece or not. Not sure if it makes a difference or not but it has rear leaf springs and I believe by the SPID this is a custom camper (it lists camper nameplate and wiring). It also mentions it has HD springs all the way around and was originally a 327.

If you can, you might take some pictures of the old and new parts for clarification. Might not help you () but might help someone else in the future!!! I hope you have all the correct parts!!!

[jroy1082]

Sorry I never updated this! I pulled the motor and trans a couple weeks ago so I had to pull the drive shaft anyway. Turns out the bearing is junk, the rubber doughnut is all torn apart, and the drive shaft spun within the bearing so its all worn down. I'm dropping a different trans in so I would have had to get the drive shaft modified anyway. I'm not sure if while I'm at it I should just get a one piece drive shaft made and be done with it.

[Corts60]

Bringing back a 2nd old thread to help figure this carrier bearing out...

So it turns out I have the HD carrier bearing and slip-joint yoke in my 67 GMC with leaf springs. I am going to order the Bearing P/N 88107, and hope that my rubber donut remains intact upon removal.

I'll post pics after I get this figured out.

[72timemachine]

Before you order a carrier bearing, call or visit someone in your town who specializes in driveshafts. they see these shafts on a regular basis and can most likely help you find the correct one.

When I had mine shortened to add a Gear Vendor, my bearing was starting to head south. He had one in stock and pressed it on for me. Take the bearing housing and shaft which has the splines on it with you to make life easy should he want to find the correct fit.

Good luck.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by 72timemachine

Before you order a carrier bearing, call or visit someone in your town who specializes in driveshafts. they see these shafts on a regular basis and can most likely help you find the correct one.

When I had mine shortened to add a Gear Vendor, my bearing was starting to head south. He had one in stock and pressed it on for me. Take the bearing housing and shaft which has the splines on it with you to make life easy should he want to find the correct fit.

Good luck.

Thanks for that. I may end up doing this, but for now I'm enjoying the hunt to find out if these individual parts are still manufactured so I can post the info to help other folks out later.

I think I found the rubber bearing cushion:
https://www.skf.com/us/products/roll...-RIS%20208%20A

[jroy1082]

I ended up ordering Neapco N212050X which was an exact replacement. It looks like that's NLA but you could reach out to Neapco to see if they still make them.

[Mike C]

More discussion on solutions going on here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=656307