Propshaft centre bearing - any tips?
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:55 am
Hi folks,
Well I reckon I have narrowed down my annoying rear end clonk/rattle now. I have eliminated rear shock mounts, handbrake shoes, anti roll bar links, bbs centre caps, anything loose in the boot etc - all from your suggestions and guidance so thanks. The diff mounting bush looks a bit dodgy but from what I can gather it's unlikely to be the problem. The car is a 1990 320 cab manual, just got 50k miles up this week.
(The problem is a light clonk that seems to come from under the rear seat, mainly noticeable at low speeds over rough surfaces (probably gets drowned out if I go any faster) and whether driving slowly in gear or out of gear and coasting. Power on or off makes no difference).
I reckon it's coming from the propshaft centre bearing. The front flexible guibo thingy looks ok - a few fine cracks but nothing like some pics I have seen. So, having consulted my Bentleys and the Pelicanparts site (helpful on most things except handbrake adjustment) it seems like I need to take the exhaust system off to remove the heat shields, just to get at the propshaft.
So, after all that, my questions are:
Is there anything I can do to test the theory that it's the bearing, without spending a half day taking off the exhaust system?
Does the entire propshaft have to come out to change the bearing?
Is it a realistic job for someone armed with a pair of ramps, a set of axle stands but nowhere under cover to work?
Any thoughts appreciated - thanks.
Steve
Well I reckon I have narrowed down my annoying rear end clonk/rattle now. I have eliminated rear shock mounts, handbrake shoes, anti roll bar links, bbs centre caps, anything loose in the boot etc - all from your suggestions and guidance so thanks. The diff mounting bush looks a bit dodgy but from what I can gather it's unlikely to be the problem. The car is a 1990 320 cab manual, just got 50k miles up this week.
(The problem is a light clonk that seems to come from under the rear seat, mainly noticeable at low speeds over rough surfaces (probably gets drowned out if I go any faster) and whether driving slowly in gear or out of gear and coasting. Power on or off makes no difference).
I reckon it's coming from the propshaft centre bearing. The front flexible guibo thingy looks ok - a few fine cracks but nothing like some pics I have seen. So, having consulted my Bentleys and the Pelicanparts site (helpful on most things except handbrake adjustment) it seems like I need to take the exhaust system off to remove the heat shields, just to get at the propshaft.
So, after all that, my questions are:
Is there anything I can do to test the theory that it's the bearing, without spending a half day taking off the exhaust system?
Does the entire propshaft have to come out to change the bearing?
Is it a realistic job for someone armed with a pair of ramps, a set of axle stands but nowhere under cover to work?
Any thoughts appreciated - thanks.
Steve
You do have to take the entire prop off to change the centre bearing did mine last year and yes you can do it with axle stands, ramps etc outside in the cold.. I found it easier removing the exhaust system in one piece and it's worth changing the guilbo while your there, saves taking it all apart again.