Quote:
Originally Posted by cupidstoy
i would be really nice of one of the knowledgable folks would post a definitive description of what a failed carrier bearing or bushing or whatever it is called looks like. i have read a lot of posts where folks say it is sloppy or the driveshaft hangs down a 1/2 lower then center or the bolt pattern is off. how does toyota diagnose this part has failed and does it take special tools to align it properly or diagnose and fix it? diagrams or excerpts from the manual appreciated.
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If this were the case and there was a problem with the differential resulting in too much backlash (too much 'slack' essentially, between the ring & pinion gears), you can check for this at the same time you are inspecting your rear u-joint at the pinion yoke.
BLOCK THE WHEELS.
Unbolt the straps holding the u-joint to the pinion yoke and let the driveshaft hang down. BE cAREFUL not to let the caps of the joint fall off! Tape them on if you want. Check the u-joint- does it turn freely in all directions?
To check the pinion gear for a potentially loose pinion bearing, while you have the driveshaft off, try to move the pinion yoke around (up and down, side to side). You should only be able to rotate it slightly. It should just turn a little tiny bit, but not in and out or up and down.
If it's tight, not a bearing problem. If it's loose, you need to tighten the pinion nut, which is right under the pinion yoke. the torque specs should be on this site somewhere, but it's TIGHT- over 100 ft-lbs.
Hope that helps, not as hard as it sounds and you'll get familiar with your drivetrain in the process.