Tailshaft centre bearing failure

[subi_man]

Has anyone has theirs fail? My Triton has developed a grinding noise when I accelerate, I thought there was a stick caught up underneath or an exhaust hanger broken, but after crawling around under the car, I reckon the bearing is on the way out It got quite a lot of movement and a metallic noise when I push the tailshaft in any direction

[Dave]

ouch, i wouldn't think a centre bearing would go so soon! i thought you can get huge amount of mileage out of them before they crap themselves.

[Eelesy]

Probably not that many miles seeing as though they are under stress from any sort of lift

[subi_man]

Probably not that many miles seeing as though they are under stress from any sort of lift

That's what I'm afraid the dealer will say

Surely mine can't be the first? I'll put it up on ramps and have a proper look today (rather than on the side of the road ), but I'm pretty sure this is what the problem is

[Buzzy]

Ahhhhh crap! I follow this with interest subi, hope its nothing to major

[subi_man]

Pretty sure this is the problem. The price for a new centre-bearing and cushion mount is only $110 - I might just get one and fit it myself to save any arguments with the dealer, because I know they will blame the lift-kit

[Buzzy]

I wonder if this has happend due to actually rotating it or because of the shudder going through it, or a bit of both
Your shudder was barly noticable wasnt it subi after you rotated the bearing?
Had it slowly been getting worse or did it come on quick?

[Eelesy]

Im pretty sure i remember someone on here having theres replaced thru warranty?

[subi_man]

Yeah Buzzy I had virtually no shudder with the bearing rotated. The grinding noise started on the weekend - it's most noticeable in 1st and 2nd gear while accelerating. There is no difference in shudder

Now, here's something interesting - I rotated the bearing BACK and the noise is gone With the tailshaft out, the bearing spins quite freely without any noise. I think it's possible the rubber cushion itself is buggered and might be allowing the bearing to move too much I have ordered a new bearing & cushion and out of interest will pull the old one completely apart when the new one arrives.

[Greedy]

These bearing are quite common on ebay for older models. This is my first Triton so I know jack about the older models. If the bearings are readily available, doesn't that suggest they also go regularly? IMO, it is certainly a weak point for the drive train.

[slimv6]

subi,

what kinda mileage you done?? do you spend a lot of time in the water??

s

[smeghead]

Would be interested to know if its due to the rotation..??

Might rotate mine back...

[subi_man]

Slim, it's done just under 70,000km - not a lot of time IN water, but a fair bit of mud has been chucked up under there. I wonder if rotating the cradle has meant mud & crap can't drain out? Will know more when I pull it apart which I won't do until the new one is here

[slimv6]

hmm. I had mine rotated about 50000km ago and not much in the line of failure.... the worst damage I got was from barb wire winding around the shaf and the left rear drum. had to replace the abs sensor cause it severed the wire. but a mate with a scrapyard and a triton or 2 in, helps a shitload.

My IM was only fitted about 10000 ago, so it seems odd that yours had fried... maybe just a dud...

[trytin]

Subi, replaced one on my old MJ a couple of years back. Was going to do it myself but quite a job to do because the universals needed to be removed and put back in. Took the shaft to a tailshaft guy who did it for $40 ( I supplied the parts ). Not sure what the ML is like to do but worth keeping in mind.

[subi_man]

thanks trytin - if it's beyond me, I have the guys at the tractor place in town here lined up to do the swap

[Blue]

Why on earth did they go back to a two piece - my MK has a one piece *crazy*

[Choady]

Subi - even though there is a chance that the dealer may say its from the lift and therefore not covered by warranty - they have to prove that the failure was caused by the suspension lift or rotating the bearing.

So there is still the chance that they may do it under warranty isnt there ?

My only concern is if its not the centre bearing, then youve paid money unneccesarily, and still have to go to the dealer and go through the pain. Youve only had the lift for a couple of months and 10,000km. Shudder was hardly noticeable after your lift when I drove it.

Good luck with it all.

[Buzzy]

Whats the latest subi?

[subi_man]

Got the bearing and fitted it up, with a fair bit of hassle. I had to dismantle one uni-joint to get the end off the tailshaft and then press off the old centre bearing. Certainly not something I would want to be doing outside of a workshop environment

The good news is all appears to be back to normal, although I could not find any apparent fault with the old bearing - seems perhaps a little softer in the rubber cushion, but the bearing itself doesn't appear rough to turn by hand. Curious, but I'm relieved it's fixed

Choady, the Triton is booked for a pre-trip service next week, i will discuss with them at that time

Cheers!

[Wallace]

Good to hear the problem is sorted. Bloody shame you could not make it for the weekend here in the Brindies. Maybe next time........BTW have a good trip and all the best to you and the family.....Take care and don't forget the shots for the forum

[barraxt]

Eelesy.

Mine was replaced under warranty twice.

[GLSTOY]

hey subi was the noise like a knock which you could feel or was is just a shudder with little noise cause mine has a knock that is sometimes there sometimes not there, the wierd bit is its only when taking off from the traffic lights or turning left, only in first and second gear.

[subi_man]

It was more a growling noise glstoy - if you have a shudder with the knock it could be worth looking at the centre bearing I guess

I did find my front swaybar caused a knocking type noise at one stage, I greased up the bushes and all was good.

[The Finch]

hey subi was the noise like a knock which you could feel or was is just a shudder with little noise cause mine has a knock that is sometimes there sometimes not there, the wierd bit is its only when taking off from the traffic lights or turning left, only in first and second gear.

I ve got the same problem but only when starting off in first.
Severe vibration, only 27000km, possible centre bearing?