How To Tell If Carrier Bearing Is Bad

Bad carrier bearings, also known as center bearings or center support bearings, can be felt and heard. If you feel a vibration under the vehicle when accelerating or hear the noise of a bad carrier bearing or u-joint like a spinning or grinding, we recommend inspecting the driveshaft and its carrier bearing and u-joints. If the center bearing is loose or worn, we recommend also looking at the rest of the driveshaft, like the u-joints, as there is usually another cause beyond the carrier bearings. This article and video reviews how to inspect both the carrier bearings and the u-joints on the driveshaft.

Video: How to Check Bad Carrier Bearings and U-Joints on the Driveshaft

Symptoms of Bad Carrier Bearings and U-Joints

Mechanic reviewing how to diagnose vibration under acceleration by checking for symptoms of bad carrier bearings

1. Vibration Under Acceleration

If the carrier bearing loosens, it can separate from the bracket and clunk as the driveshaft spins. Since the driveshaft will spin faster with the accelerating pedal depressed, you might feel a vibration as the engine works harder.

2. Spinning or Grinding Noise Under the Vehicle

If you hear a spinning or grinding noise underneath the cabin of the vehicle, it could be a bad carrier bearing if the internal bearings are worn or if the carrier bearing or u-joints are binding and resisting as they turn.

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Causes of Bad Carrier Bearings and U-Joints

1. Loose Carrier Bearing

The driveshaft sits between the transmission or transfer case and the differential. On many vehicles it has two u-joints. On extended vehicles or those with extended wheelbases, the driveshaft is longer and has at least three u-joints and a carrier bearing. The carrier bearing adds support to the center of the driveshaft, mitigating balance issues and creating less opportunity for flexing or vibrating under acceleration.

If the carrier bearing loosens, this can affect the rotation and balance of the driveshaft, creating vibration.

2. Rusty, Worn, Dry, or Binding Carrier Bearings or U-Joints

If there’s a problem with the carrier bearing, there’s likely another issue with the driveshaft that’s causing it. The internal bearings on the carrier bearings can dry out or wear, and this can be heard as a grinding or spinning noise if the carrier bearings are bad.

U-joints can also bind or freeze up over time from use and corrosion. The bearings on the u-joints can also dry out, causing them to bind or create resistance from a lack of grease. If a u-joint is binding, it can create a shake that can damage the rubber on the carrier bearing and loosen it over time.

The rubber on the carrier bearings can break down and loosen over time from normal wear and tear, but usually from bad u-joints. If the rubber is protruding from the seal in the bracket and is not secured as tightly, it’s time to replace the carrier bearing.

How to Check and Diagnose the Carrier Bearing and U-Joints

How to Replace a Carrier Bearing Yourself

If the carrier bearing is worn or defective and needs to be replaced, check out this video below for an idea of the repair process. Find parts and more install videos at 1aauto.com

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