Oh man the '60 Chevy ate another center support bearing.

[Nads]

I had the same problem on my '59 Chevy El Camino.
When my wife bought the '60 the center support bearing on the driveshaft was bad but we drove it like that for a few years. I replaced it less than a year ago along with all the u-joints. Just yesterday it started clanking again.
The car's dropped in the front but the ass end is the way it was, just sagging a little.
I understand that polyurethane support bearings are available for these cars, anyone know where from?
Also is there something I'm doing wrong to be going through these things like water?
And right now because my '54's down, daily driving duties are being shared between the wagon and my '34. I'm putting a lot of miles on these cars lately.
I'm too much of a pussy to drive the '34 Ford in these freezing cold mornings. Some days it gets down into the 40s, too cold for a windowless hot rod.

[Roothawg]

Ask Hardluck, he changes em weekly.

[repoguy]

Hey Nads, I saw this & called Dallas (he has the exact same wagon you have). He got one from Frank Botte -

http://www.geocities.com/iwcc56/iwcc7.html

He says it's an oversize / heavy duty deal. Dallas seemed to think he was a decent guy & was happy with what he got.

[safariknut]

Nads: I used to have a couple 60 Chevys that had an appetite for center bearings until I found what was happening.
When installing the driveshaft back in the car,it is imperative that the rear axle be set at it's normal ride height(i.e.:wheels on the ground with the weight of the car on them)BEFORE the center bearing support is tightened.If this isn't done there will be a load put on the bearing parallel to the axis and it will cause it to fail prematurely.
I would bolt in the shaft and then let the rear wheels down onto ramps and then push down on the rear of the car a couple times to make sure the shocks had compressed down and then tighten the center bearing mount.Never had a problem after doing that.

[Nads]

No kidding safariknut? Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

[CruZer]

This looks like a tech post to me. Back in the '60's the Texaco station I worked at was always replacing these and we always did it on a drive on lift we had for that exact reason.

[Travis]

Safarinut has it right...tighten the carrier bearing bolts LAST... and it has to be tightened with the axle is supported at it's stock ride height.

The other thing is that the driveshaft has to be balanced. If it's a little off and you punch it, the torque really shakes the shit out of the carrier bearing.

I haven't tried a eurethane bushing because I've heard that they have very little front-to-back travel so... if you're not bouncing around in the back too much this should be OK. Knowing Nads... I'm sure you guys bounce around ALOT in the back!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

When I get my Impala airbagged in the back, I'm going with the 1-piece aluminum carrier bearing and the back shaft is going to be a slider so that I can drop it all the way down without fear of popping out the carrier bearing.

Travis

[Nads]

Oh yeah Travis, I'm really hauling ass in that two ton monster being dragged by that mighty 235" six cylinder. It has a whopping 85lbs compression in the middle cylinders.
Slug doesn't begin to describe it.

[roaddevil]

Have you thought about using one from a 67 to 73 chevy gmc truck. It the same basic design but a little more stout.

You might have to modify the mountings but that no real big deal. Check it out.

[ShortBus]

Have you thought about using one from a 59/60 Olds? The back half is a slider like Travis was talking about. It'll also be damn close to the correct length since both cars have the same wheelbase.

[motor mikey]

Had the same problem with the 61 wagon. We got a billet aluminum bearing from inland driveshaft and had a slip joint put into the shaft. No problems since.

[happy hoppy]

pick up a "lowrider" mag. they have adds for a a super strong support bearings .

both my brothers have lowriders and use these. end of prob.

[Low]

Had the same problem with my 60. I agree with safari, on how to solve it. Also When I got new ones I just ordered them from napa 20 bucks no big deal there in 2 days or a day.

[choprods]

Nads they're right about not tightening the bolts in the carrier bearing until the rear wheels are loaded at drive height. it will shove the bearing right out of the rubber if dsone while tires are off the ground.how do I know that? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[1oldtimer]

any chevy that uses a 2 piece driveshaft that blows out the carrier, should have the rear section splined and lengthend (to put the carrier bolts in the middle of the slots.

[Nads]

Okay the bearing's in. Nice, it only took me an hour.
I had one more question, even though I just took her for a test ride and it feels great.
How's the second yoke that splines on to the driveshaft phased? It seems the only way it goes on is at 180 degrees to the other end. Any other way it won't go on in a straight line relative to the centerline of the driveshaft.
I'm assuming I did it right because there's zero vibration, at 45 mph anyway. I haven't taken it on the highway yet.

Also I want to tell you that the first bearing's metal surround was torn in two near the base on one side. This bearing's case was incredibly thin and shitty in quality.
When I called up the parts store yesterday they said they have two available, one for $27 and another for $11. I'm thinking I may have put the $11 one in the first time. I don't think I'm gonna trust $11 parts in the future.

The new one I got was from DragLinks through his supplier, it was $24 wholesale price, it's way beefier than the other one.

Fingers crossed this one oughta last more than a year.


Thanks once again for all your help HAMB dudes.

[Antibilly]

Kisses and best wishes to you and you center support!!

[Ragtop]

I guess that's the good part about having no hoist and having to work laying on your back on the garage floor! I didn't know this but since I installed my driveshaft with the rear end supported on jack stands I've never had a problem with this. Good to know now. Thanx.

[SpeedRacer2002]

I have a solid mounted one with no rubber in my 63 impalla because of the hydraulics it has never failed... i could hook ya up with one of them...