redz

hello all ,looking for some info on how to tell if the carrier bearing is shot ? I can move it (drive shaft) about 1/2 inch up/down/left... when it's in gear. also I'm going to replace my sterring box this week . any helpfull hints on either of these items would be great

Tanks redz

2001 dodge 2500, 5 SPEED , LB diesel mostly new front end ,FASS

totalloser

The carrier bearing has a bushing that allows about that amount of movement. Probably perfectly normal. I'd leave it alone.

As to the steering box, these trucks have wander designed in due to the frame flexing at the steering box. Very common to misdiagnose as a sloppy box. Steering Stabilizer (more accurately described as a steering BRACE) puts a frame brace across the bottom with a pillow block bearing on a nipple on the sector shaft where the pitman arm comes off the box. THE BEST (and only?) solution.

Oh, the steering shaft is a piece of junk, too. Aluminum ends, and somewhat fragile. Just a heads up. Borgeson makes a sooper dooper replacement.

One last thing-plan on very conservative driving for a while while the air burps out of the PS system. The PS pump runs the brakes, too, and the air can take several engine shut downs to completely purge. The box isn't too interesting to get on and off, though.

redz

Thanks for the info ...I have the brace already but I think it was too late for the box. the reason I question the carrier berring is because I have a shake at about 60k + the front end has been looked at alot of times..replaced shocks(4) track bar,swaybar bushings,ball joints,tie rod end ...

Thanks Redz
2001 dodge 2500

oobudoo

I'm no expert but, could the vibration be caused by the front drive shaft, I also have a vibration at about 60-65 mph. I just replaced ujoints and carrier on the rear drive shaft and still have vibration. I believe the front drive shaft turns all the time but is only under load when 4wd is engadged. Hope the DTR gurus will chime in.

totalloser

I would consider tires, too. The drive shaft, if balanced shouldn't vibrate even if the bushing was kinda bad. And if it did I think it'd be worse at lower rpm and better at higher rpm. I'm thinkin' maybe you have a tire out of balance.

oobudoo is right with some of these trucks having the front drive turn, but only the full time front ends. If you have a CAD equipped truck (vacuum acutator on front axle) both the transfer case and axle are disconnected in 2wd. Sometimes the driveline will still spin, but usually pretty slowly. You could stop it easily with your hands if you had a big enough rust hole in the truck. :P

One last note on the steering box it's adjustable for wear. The pressure seal on the piston, and the seals can go bad, tho... There's a new 3.5" box on the market, too. HIGHLY ADVISE getting the 3.5" bore box, but not an AGR mine was a pile of GARBAGE. Check out my writeup for my version of the lowdown on steering on these trucks. https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...=steering+tech