Just want to make sure I am barking up the right tree. Access the rubber gasket on the back side of the prop shaft center bearing with a needle and synthetic grease at the 10, 2, and 6 positions? Fill until it oozes out? Plan B is have a reputable technician replace the shaft bearings individually as opposed to just putting in a new driveshaft altogether? Car is riding and driving wonderfully other then the humming noise at higher speeds. Not super loud but obviously we all know what is coming somewhere down the road so I plan on getting ahead of this issue now. Any quick comments or suggestions regarding the cheapest most effective way to go are much appreciated! Thanks!

 

04Sport, you have the right idea. Doesn't need to be the times you said, but space out the grease as much as you can around the bearing.

As for the final outcome, you do have 2 options. It is all a matter of paying for time or paying for parts. The new bearings only will be slightly cheaper, but you still have some older parts in there that can lead to other issues in the future. So, up to you.

 

On a side note, my shaft started making noise a long time ago (4 years?) and I greased it. All has been good ever since.

 

After 3 years of noise and attempted greasing etc, my car goes in next week to an independent to replace the bearing. Apparently he's done a few of them, and has another firm that can press off the old bearing, and press on the new one.

I'll advise in a week's time how it went...

Regards

Rob

 

After the independent fitted the new center bearing, I'm pleased to say the car sounds far more civilised!

The mechanic showed me the old bearing - basically the rubber around the bearing had begun to perish, allowing water into the bearing (this is why it was always nice and quiet when it rained). Given the water ingress, all of the metal components inside the bearing had rusted out.

Apparently it was an easy job for the driveshaft specialist to press off the old bearing, and press on the new one - however, the mechanic did say that if you didn't have the correct fittings/press etc it would be a "f*&king difficult" job.

Edit: I purchased the bearing on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-OE...-/321094895943

Regards

Rob