Center Bearing Replacement Photos

[winstontj]

I told someone that I'd post photos of both marking the driveshaft and how I doubled over box wrenches to loosen the center joint. I hope you guys find this useful because it was a PITA to resize the pictures down to under 500K.

It's VERY IMPORTANT to mark the driveshaft in a way that you can line it back up EXACTLY as it was. If you don't it will vibrate as if your lug nuts are only threaded in about three threads.

EDIT: OK... that's a 24mm craftsman box wrench. It needs to be shaved down a few mm to fit inside the U-Joint. The pipe wrench only bites on the weld. The tube is too smooth and soft, and the yolk is too hard. It takes a bit of "pre-loading" but it's easy.

[winstontj]

(nt)

[winstontj]

(nt)

[rho]

Very Cool.. thx for the photo's.

[SteveJ]

Thanks!

Thanks a lot!

Now I have something else to add to my pre-Melee checklist.

I have the parts, I just need to get off my butt and do it.

Maybe while I have the exhaust off.

What size is the box wrench?

[ingraham]

(nt)

[winstontj]

Actually someone on the FAQ told me.... 24mm if my mind serves....

Yes 24mm. I bought a Craftsman and needed to shave it thinner by a few mm on a bench grinder because it wouldn't fit inbetween the U-joint....

EDIT: hahaha... I spent about 20 minutes looking to confirm the size and if you look at #1 pic you can see 24mm on the wrench!

[winstontj]

I have no idea about the pipe wrench... it was my grandfathers... it's an SK Tools wrench from the 1940's... Works great and for big jobs I just put grandpa's old piece of pipe on the handle for extra leverage....

[Guest Anonymous]

Next time, I'd put the pipe wrench on the yoke, so there's no chance of crushing or tearing up the tubing. Looks like you done good tho.

[winstontj]

The pipe wrench bites into the weld nicely... It actually won't bite into the yolk or the tube. Good news is the weld is the best of both worlds because it's solid, and it's already not smooth so you aren't messing anything up or denting the tube.

[ingraham]

I have a dry sense of humor, and I have a religous objection to using smilies. If in doubt, never take seriously what I write.