Lee, changing the carrier bearing isn`t that bad of a job. I thought it was until I did it.
I thought the U-Joint was bad, I grabed the driveline and jiggled and wiggled it and was sure it was the Joint. I could feel looseness it. Called the MB wrecking yard in San Jose and they had one off a 82, for $150.00. I was checking it out and it had the same looseness as mine. the guy wouldn`t sell it to me saying it`s the bearing not the joint. they don`t usually fail.
Ok, so I order the carrier and bearing and a rubber sleeve and have them the next day from Phill. great service.
First thing is to mark both sections of the driveline because you will have to take it apart at the splines. I use some cheap fingernail polish I got at the dollar store, drys fast. Disconnect the driveline from the flex disc at the trans. Loosen the 46MM large nut and remove the 2 bolts that hold the carrier bearing to the body.
Leave the rear disc attached to the driveline but remove it from the Diff.
Then push the driveline forward and it will come off the yoke on the diff. then just drop it down and work out towards the rear.
separate the 2 sections.
I used a bearing puller with 6 or 8 inch arms, and the bearing comes right off. Put the new bearing into the new rubber carrier. I used some spray silicone on the rubber to ease the bearing inplace. clean up the end of the shaft, slip the new bearing on. I used a piece of 1 7/8 exhaust tubing, slide it over the splines and drive it home. I put a large socket over the tubing to beat on. goes on very easy. then I think the rubber sleeve slides on and maybe a couple of other little washer pieces that fit on. Just replace them as you take them off.
Then just slip the driveline pieces back together, and reattach to the car.
Good time to replace both flex discs.
If I forgot something here, someone will chime in. Happy motoring.
Charlie
Note. I used white nail polish, no I don`t ware it
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