Driveshaft Carrier Bearing Question

[UNCLE BOO]

In the course of tearing down my 1968 F100 for a total resto/rebuild, I removed the entire driveshaft assembly as a "unit" (its a two piece driveshaft). While it's laying there on the floor of my garage, I got to looking at the carrier bearing, and wondering what shape it might be in. When I bought it, this truck had been sitting in a guys yard for the last 25 years (or more) with no engine. This is probably right up there with the "dumbest question of all time" ....but, do you think it would be a good idea to replace that bearing? I suspect it would be a pretty good idea...but it seems a bit daunting to this unmechanical old guy!

I plan to replace the u-joints when I put this all back together. But, I just don't know what to look for condition-wise on this bearing. I have been reading a lot of threads on here about the "issues" with properly marking the position of everything (to keep the driveline "in line" and balanced...in "phase"?). Is there anything i should be looking at, specifically, that would clearly indicate it should be replaced? Do they wear out? (Considering the lenght of time it has been sitting, I would have to think that it has deterioriated to the point of needing to be replaced.

ANY comments would be greatly appreciated, guys!

[Donnie]

Boo, since your truck has been sitting that long, there is a chance that the grease in the bearing is solidified or deteriorated. So I would replace the brng..Also the rubber ma be brittle of fatigued to the point of failure....You will never be any closer..Replace it.....To phase the u joints: when the shafts are all together & lying on the floor the u joints must all be facing the same way...best way is to lay them all with the cups on the floor, then the others will be facing up. If you get on spline off , you will see it. HTH..........donnie

[basketcase0302]

Donnie on Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:11 pm
Boo, since your truck has been sitting that long, there is a chance that the grease in the bearing is solidified or deteriorated. So I would replace the brng..Also the rubber ma be brittle of fatigued to the point of failure....You will never be any closer..Replace it.....To phase the u joints: when the shafts are all together & lying on the floor the u joints must all be facing the same way...best way is to lay them all with the cups on the floor, then the others will be facing up. If you get on spline off , you will see it. HTH..........donnie

If this is the one I'm thinking of it's probably a non-greasable type, (with a big rubber "bushing" inside the metal "sleeve")?
You can usually tell by how the rubber looks, (does it appear dry-rotted)?

[Donnie]

Yes, that's the one. You can't grease the bearing as they are sealed, then pressed into the rubber carrier.....40 years though, & lying on the floor, plus getting new u joints.. I would replace it now rather than down the road

[UNCLE BOO]

Thanks for the replies, Donnie and Basketcase!

Yes, it is one of those bearings that has a big rubber donut (insde a metal retaining band) surrounding the bearing attached to the splined shaft. And, yes, I think it is looking a bit ratty!
I appreciate your comments. I was holding out a small hope (prayer?) that this isn't too much of a "critical" issue, and that I could avoid all the hassle of getting it apart and back together in proper order. Well, they say you should tackle one thing each day that scares you! This will be my "scare for the day"!

If I run into any issues, I know I can rely on the FORDification gang to get me through!

[ForingaMex]

Replacing that bearing really isn't a big deal. If you have a press, or access to one, it would be even easier but I've done mine without a press. Just make sure you have the new bearing facing the right way before you drive it home. It's not much fun to slide it back off without damaging it to flip it the right way. Don't ask me how I know but I know.

[wildcard]

Been there, done that myself.