Re: [AMC-List] bad bearing... somewhere...

["Swygert, Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM" <Francis.Swygert3@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, there's a carrier bearing in the middle of the torque tube. You
have to take the torque tube out. That means pulling the rear axle
first. That's easy enough -- disconnect tube from tranny, disconnect
shocks, track bar, and brake lines, then jack up the rear end until the
springs can be pulled. Then slide the rear end back until the driveshaft
yoke pulls out of the trans in front. I always jack the car up by the
axle with a floor jack then put jack stands under the body just in front
of the rear wheels. Take the shocks and all loose with the jack still
under the axle, then pull the wheels (leave the wheels on while you're
under the car just in case the jack fails, and lower it just enough to
put a little pressure on the jack stands before getting under there).
Pulling the wheels keeps you from having to jack the rear way up to pull
the axle back. Might take a good kick back from under the car to get the
u-joint yoke to break loose. It's a slip on fit, but hasn't moved in
years. Then simply unbolt the tube from the front of the rear axle and
slide it forward. There's a slip on joint at the axle too, but it hasn't
moved in years -- may take some prying. 

Once the tube is out of the car the shaft should slide forward and out
of the tube. The bearing is held in place by snap rings and/or a
shoulder on the shaft -- it's been a while since I removed one. It's a
sealed bearing, and may be hard to find. Inland Empire may be able to
help (http://www.iedls.com/home.html). You'll need to measure the inside
diameter of the hole in the bearing and the outside diameter of the
rubber. Inland may then be able to find a polyurethane seated bearing
that will fit. It will be like there early model carrier bearings but
without the mounting bracket/housing. You may have to explain this to
them. Alternately, you might have to have someone who can work with
urethane (it can be shaped with a mill) make a carrier for a standard
sealed bearing with the correct size inside diameter. Even a piece of
wood will work as long as it snugly fits the bearing and holds it
centered in the tube. Longevity might be a problem, but I doubt it --
it's sealed in the tube. You could have a rare failed (or rather
failing) u-joint. If the car sat for a long time the grease in the joint
could have dried out and now the bearings in the caps are worn. Center
bearing and u-joint failures are both rare on six cylinder torque tubes,
but they do happen. Might start happening more often now due to the age
of the cars. Definitely check the u-joint first. Refer to your TSM for
more detailed removal info. Same chapter as the rear axle. 

_______________________________________________
AMC-List mailing list
AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list

or go to http://www.amc-list.com