carrier bearing on drive shaft

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Jul 22, 2012 | 08:46 PM

mikekimo

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carrier bearing on drive shaft

hello, i need an opinion. i am driving a 95 ranger xlt extended cab with a 3.0 two wheel drive with an automatic transmission. the two piece drive shaft with the carrier bearing went bad at the bearing. i separate the u-joint just after the bearing and was going to remove the nut holding the bearing housing together but cannot get the nut off. now i'm also finding out that i need a bearing puller to remove the damaged bearing from the 1st drive shaft. its turning into something i may not be able to finish. i saw on line an idea where a guy replaced the 2 piece shaft with a one piece. he states that a 1 piece drive shaft, 1998 or newer would work and no need for this bearing. you have to remove the cross member. it sound easier than what i'm trying to do. i looked at some old posts and galleries but did not see an article. here is a link to his website: How-To Matthew: Swapping a 2-Piece Drive Shaft for a 1-Piece in a 1983-1997 Ford Ranger
has any one ever done this? thanks for your time and for help in the past.

Jul 22, 2012 | 10:42 PM

Hank85713

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From: Tucson USA

I took mine to a machine shop they replaced the U joints and carrier for about $50 I think it was. Gotta machine shop close by?

Jul 23, 2012 | 02:11 AM

mikekimo

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Wow! Hank85713 what a great idea. Dont know whats close. I was going to call the local transmission shop and the muffle shops in the morning to see what the damages would be $$. How would I find a shop like the one you motioned? I will look up “machine shops” in the yellow pages - and yes I still use the phonebook. We are kind of in a bad way with this truck not running. Have a great day every one.

Jul 23, 2012 | 09:22 AM

Hank85713

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From: Tucson USA

Look for a NAPA or another large store with a machine shop. Ask at the local autozone etc.

Jul 23, 2012 | 07:41 PM

mikekimo

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hi hank85713,
it took many phone calls but i found a napa store here that had a machine shop. probably the only one in this area. just got the rest of the shaft out and the guy said it should be about $90 to do the bearing and all u-joints. i feel like i live in the country because i could not find a 12 mm 12 point socket to save my life. that was my biggest problem - getting the shaft yoke unbolted. i was calling around to different auto shops and they said they had one and when i got there, oops, they made a mistake. finally i drove out to sears and they had every socket known to man. i think i spent more time driving back and forth for a socket than working on the truck. i'll know next time i need a certain tool to go to sears and avoid the headache. you were right about the napa and i appreciate your time. i hope i can contribute to this forum in the future. have a safe week.

Jul 23, 2012 | 08:22 PM

Hank85713

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From: Tucson USA

glad its going to work out for ya, yes needing tools and not having them is a pain. Ive got tools and stuff and can never find when I need them, just too much stuff.

Jul 23, 2012 | 10:04 PM

crerar

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

A 12-point socket is nice for the job - had and used one last time I dropped the driveshaft at the pinion. In a pinch though (worked for me a couple times before), use a trusty flatwrench (closed end).

Slip it over and then either tap it with a dainty hammer (redneck impact) or slip another flatwrench closed end over the open end of the first wrench to use as a makeshift snipe.

Not real pretty or respectful of your tools, but it got me going one snowy blustery winter day when I had to get the driveshaft dropped to get a new-to-me mustang on the dolly!