Remove the driveshaft to replace the center or carrier bearing?

Tiny
KENNETHJR
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 98,000 MILES
I had to remove the driveshaft to replace the center or carrier bearing, which I have done. When I removed the cv joint using the instructions from the internet, I removed the 6 bolts holding the booted cap to the cv joint and tapped the cap off. The 6 balls and the cage fell out.I have removed the splined sprocket from the drive shaft and need to find a new snap ring. I have assembled the cv joint in the cup in the vehicle but don't think I can insert the drive shaft into it and be certain it is in far enough, so I believe it must be done off the vehicle and reinstalled as a unit already on the end of the drive shaft.
Monday, May 14th, 2012 AT 12:21 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
You are right the drive shaft must be assembled off car. Here are diagrams to help you get it back together (below).

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KENNETHJR
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There are several aftermarket drive shaft CV joint rebuild kits on the market these days ranging from $117 to $221: comes with 6 balls new cage, new cup, new front cup and new rear cup with boot and grease.

My question was how to remove old cup from the cv joint which is held to transfer case by a nut. I got the same run a round at the gm dealer ship. They wanted to see me a new drive shaft for $1100.00

There must not be any true mechanics left that work for dealers, just us back yard guys that didn't really need the answer.

Any one want the answer, just ask me, I have been there and done that and kept the $1100 in my bank account.
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
JW_26416
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This question is to Kennethjr, I am also having the same problem when I took the driveshaft off the bearings in the carriage fell out just as you had stated, my question is how to get it back in? I put everything back in the driveshaft and tried to put it back in the transfer case and won't lock in, it's like it is jumping in and out of 4 wheel drive, please help ! It is a 2005 chevy equinox AWD, thank you
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,137 POSTS
If you have the cv joint backwards it will not go back in take it back apart and reassemble it the other way.
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
BOONEDOGGLE92
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 143,000 MILES
I need a schematic of the drive shaft for the rear portion. I have a part that I cannot identify that I need to replace.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
This is a diagram of it. The numbers go with the pictures.

1 - Front shaft.
2 - Front mounting bolt.
3 - Washer.
4 - Universal joint.
5 - Snap ring.
6 - Yoke.
7 - Center support bearing bolt.
8 - Center support bearing.
9 - Rear shaft.
10 - Universal joint.
11 - Rear flange.

Let us know which part needs replacement and we can likely give you the directions on how to replace them.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANOCHSNER
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
How do you get the C clip out to remove the old cage so I can put the new cage and bearing on the front driveshaft? I cannot get anything in there to get the clip out. I have purchased different tools to try and get it out, but nothing can get in there to push the clip out.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon.

Can you post a picture of what you see?

Is this the clips you are talking about?
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANOCHSNER
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I got it off, but no it was the retaining clip for the front driveshaft assembly.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DLRLEE
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  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 540,000 MILES
How to change a center bearing
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
They have to be pressed in and out, these bearings are a real nightmare to do. I would send it to a shop that specializes in driveshafts.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSHERBY
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  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
Dearler say I need a hangerbearing and they said that the bearing doesnot come off all the time. There for I will need a drive shaft. Is this true they can't remove hanger bearing on this vehicle.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you live where you drive threw salt and snow every winter?Let me know
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSHERBY
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Yes I live in the north ! Winnipeg canada. I had alot of work done on the suv some where around 11,000 worth.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Up there it's very possible that they might not be able to get that off due to rust. When water and salt get together it's like battery acid to the steel.I worked and lived in upstate ny for a while so I know how much damage it can do first hand. But I think they should at least try to remove it before they just sell you a new drive line.I used to get out the torch and heat stuff up to take it off. Also used a lot of liquid wrench also. Let me know how it goes.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
660JEFFR
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  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
I removed the driveshaft to replace the center support bearing. It is ready to go back in but I can't figure out how to get the front slip joint back together. It is like a CV joint but it is also a slip joint. It has a cage and 6 ball bearings. The grooves of the joint are tapered in and out. It appears everything has to exactly right to get it together and to get it that way and keep all the ball bearings in place seems near impossible. I noticed when I took it apart that they used unusually long bolts to hold it all together. I'm wondering if this has something to do with the installation.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hello,

You can use grease to stick the balls in place while reinstalling the drive shaft.

Here is a guide that might help you get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-drive-shaft

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 5:57 PM (Merged)

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