I`am on my third steady bearing on my drive shaft and this one is now rough and needs to be replaced. What is everyone using. I think they should last more than a year considering I only tow a few months of the year; mostly weekends. Is there a better bearing or can I take one apart and use a timking bearing to make this steady bearing more reliable?This is getting to be a pain. I have a 4 month trip planned for next spring and hope I don`t have to lug spare SB with me...

 

I was replacing every year for a while too it seemed, I think this last one is from Napa and has held up for 2+ years now.

I have taken it upon myself to try to squirt some white lithium in there when I grease everything. I also built a different bracket to accomodate the more common bearing, has mounting bolt "ears" on the side instead of bolting into the bearing assembly from above. Makes the swap about $30 cheaper when I am due.

 

gorms

Could you post a picture of your mod so I can do the same ?

 

I have to crawl under there to measure for new e-brake cables tomorrw anyhow, will post them up then.

 

This is what I used.

http://www.iedls.com/Center-Support-...kup-Trucks.asp

 

Best solution is to do what Ford and later model Dodges did and install a one piece driveshaft.
You'll need a driveline shop to do it though.
My trucks don't have the carrier bearing problem, standard cabs have a one piece driveline stock.

 

Well I went for a look the other day and it seems like the new bracket I made is just for the stock replacement bearing. Must have had money that week.

Now that I think of it for a while I had the other type bearing (with ears on side) mounted to the stock bracket, welded some 1" tubing to it to make up the difference in height, and to have something to bolt to. The OE hanger bracket was getting a little thin from corrosion so I made this.

If you have either a brake and some 1/8 sheetmetal or some angle iron/flat stock and a welder you can make whatever you want work.

 

when my 98 failed, I had a hard time finding one. I was told at the time, that 98 was a one year only....carrier bearing. That it was larger. Dont know if it was entirely true, but If i recall, they had an earlier year that was clearly different.

I check it sometimes, but its been in for awhile now.

 

I see they list two different sizes for the Ram trucks. I will need to find out what size to order. One good thing is I see that they are in Canada ; so no duties . I would like to know if anyone else have used that bearing and how long it lasted. I need one bad after towing today on the hills I could feel the vibrations towing my fiver.

 

Turns out I miss read that ; they are in Ca and want a huge amount to ship to me. I will have to look in Canada to find something better than stock for towing. I hate how fast my diesel eats these bearings.