Driveshaft support bearings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Radical Cam · 04-29-2003, 10:13 PM

Well I am having problems keeping the driveshaft support bearings from breaking. I go through about two to three a summer. I just replaced one last weekend because all of the rubber around the bearing was shredded. I went for two drives since then and tonight the spotwelds on the metal plate that hold up the bearing broke. I am pretty sure that this was a defective driveshaft support because I just went over a set of railroad tracks and then it started banging underneath the truck.

I have a 350 in the truck with a turbo 350 tranny the motor is built up I would say around 325 to 350 horsepower or so. I am sure that this is part of the problem.

My question is that could it be that the driveshaft is out of balance? Or do a lot of you guys have the same problems with these driveshaft supports? Is there anything that I can do to prevent this problem or is going to just keep on happening?

Thank you for any help

Cameron

04-29-2003, 10:20 PM

I think your driveshaft is either out of balance so much that its destroying the bearing, or maybe its dented or has a nice piece missing from it.

lngbed71 · 04-29-2003, 10:24 PM

Sounds as if you have a bunch of horsepower and torque going into a very tall rear axle (3.08 maybe?) On a two piece shaft, there is an awful lot of twist and on mine I support welded where the spot welds were and it's been solid as ever.

70shortnphat · 04-29-2003, 10:26 PM

I welded a brace to the bottom of the bearing housing and secured it to the trailing arm bolt. I'll Take a picture of it tomarrow
and post it here for you. Its not pretty but it works!

This is what used to happen.

Radical Cam · 04-29-2003, 10:31 PM

I have 3.73 gears in the rear that are a one wheel wonder no posi or locker or anything like that with 295/50/15 radial ta's on the back

lngbed71 · 04-29-2003, 10:37 PM

Is it lowered?

Dads72 · 04-29-2003, 10:43 PM

Have a friend who races an 11 "something" second drag truck.
He still uses a 2 piece driveshaft.
He shoots it full of Sylicone.
Don't know how he does it, but I'll try to find out if you are interested.

Dads72 · 04-29-2003, 10:44 PM

I meant the carrier bearing. Getting tired here.

400ex · 04-29-2003, 10:45 PM

Radical Cam,

I have the same bearing as you and have had no problems. I run a 3.73 gear one-legger with a 390 hp (dyno) 383.

I don't see why you have a problem unless like you said, the shaft is out of balance or possibly the pinion angle is not correct if someone replaced the rearend.

Just my 2 cents

James

Radical Cam · 04-29-2003, 11:27 PM

Well the truck is not lowered yet it is at stock height but I am going to lower it 2.5 in the front and 4 in the rear. I am going to try and find another driveshaft somewhere and put a new support bearing in it and new U-joints and then we will see how that is.

04-29-2003, 10:13 PM	#1
Radical Cam Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oakbank Manitoba Canada Posts: 73	Driveshaft support bearings Well I am having problems keeping the driveshaft support bearings from breaking. I go through about two to three a summer. I just replaced one last weekend because all of the rubber around the bearing was shredded. I went for two drives since then and tonight the spotwelds on the metal plate that hold up the bearing broke. I am pretty sure that this was a defective driveshaft support because I just went over a set of railroad tracks and then it started banging underneath the truck. I have a 350 in the truck with a turbo 350 tranny the motor is built up I would say around 325 to 350 horsepower or so. I am sure that this is part of the problem. My question is that could it be that the driveshaft is out of balance? Or do a lot of you guys have the same problems with these driveshaft supports? Is there anything that I can do to prevent this problem or is going to just keep on happening? Thank you for any help Cameron

04-29-2003, 10:24 PM	#3
lngbed71 Nothing fits but the oil Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gaston, Indiana Posts: 424	Sounds as if you have a bunch of horsepower and torque going into a very tall rear axle (3.08 maybe?) On a two piece shaft, there is an awful lot of twist and on mine I support welded where the spot welds were and it's been solid as ever. __________________ Land of the free Because of the brave

04-29-2003, 10:26 PM	#4
70shortnphat "See the U.S.A....." Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Richmond TX. Posts: 269	I had this problem too. I welded a brace to the bottom of the bearing housing and secured it to the trailing arm bolt. I'll Take a picture of it tomarrow and post it here for you. Its not pretty but it works! This is what used to happen. Attached Images __________________ 1970 short bed fleetside 1949 all origional chevy 3600 1974 camaro Richmond , Texas(just S.W.of Houston)

04-29-2003, 10:37 PM	#6
lngbed71 Nothing fits but the oil Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gaston, Indiana Posts: 424	Is it lowered? __________________ Land of the free Because of the brave

04-29-2003, 10:20 PM	#2
Linus0014 Guest Posts: n/a	I think your driveshaft is either out of balance so much that its destroying the bearing, or maybe its dented or has a nice piece missing from it.

04-29-2003, 10:31 PM	#5
Radical Cam Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oakbank Manitoba Canada Posts: 73	I have 3.73 gears in the rear that are a one wheel wonder no posi or locker or anything like that with 295/50/15 radial ta's on the back

04-29-2003, 10:43 PM	#7
Dads72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 427	Have a friend who races an 11 "something" second drag truck. He still uses a 2 piece driveshaft. He shoots it full of Sylicone. Don't know how he does it, but I'll try to find out if you are interested.

04-29-2003, 10:44 PM	#8
Dads72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 427	I meant the carrier bearing. Getting tired here.

04-29-2003, 10:45 PM	#9
400ex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Damon, Tx Posts: 56	Radical Cam, I have the same bearing as you and have had no problems. I run a 3.73 gear one-legger with a 390 hp (dyno) 383. I don't see why you have a problem unless like you said, the shaft is out of balance or possibly the pinion angle is not correct if someone replaced the rearend. Just my 2 cents James

04-29-2003, 11:27 PM	#10
Radical Cam Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oakbank Manitoba Canada Posts: 73	Well the truck is not lowered yet it is at stock height but I am going to lower it 2.5 in the front and 4 in the rear. I am going to try and find another driveshaft somewhere and put a new support bearing in it and new U-joints and then we will see how that is.



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