Drivetrain: Replace Carrier Bearing

Replacing the carrier bearings is a lengthy repair. If your car has some age on it chances are they are worn and can create knocking problems or excess vibration.

Tools Needed

• Various Hand Tools
• Screwdrivers
• Impact Wrench (not necessary but it makes the job many times easier)
• Jacks
• Jack Stands (A MUST! when you are working under the car)
• Gear Puller (three jaw is best)

Parts Needed

Qty	Part Number	Part Name	Notes
2x	MB505495	Carrier Bearings
4x	MB505283	Carrier Bearing Insulator	If yours are worn
4x	MB505284	Carrier Bearing Insulator
1x	MB837572	Lobro Joint Boot Kit	If you need to replace your boot
.35qt	n/a	Transfer Case GL-4 Rated Gear Oil	Redline Shockproof Heavy recommend

Preparation

1. Jack up the car and place on jack stands
2. Remove the fill plug from the transfer case
3. Remove the drain plug and drain the fluid

Replacing the Carrier Bearing in a Mitsubishi 3000GT/GTO VR4 or Dodge Stealth RT/TT

Unbold the Driveshaft

1. Mark where the driveshaft meets up to the rear differential so the orientation is maintained upon installation and remove the four bolts. Leave one in to hold it as you remove the rest of the shaft.

   

   Driveshaft meets rear differential

2. Support the driveshaft with a few jacks or some blocks, you don't want it to drop or bend at the lobro joint too much.
3. Unbolt the two nuts at the rear carrier bearing. They are lock nuts so they will be tight the whole length of the stud. There may be some spacers so be sure to keep track of which stud they are on.

   

   Rear carrier bearing

4. Unbolt the exhaust hanger then the remaining two nuts holding the front carrier bearing on.

   

   Front carrier bearing

5. Once you have everything unbolted you can drop the shaft and pull it out of the transfercase. Leave an oil pan underneath the transfercase as some gear oil will come out. Again be sure to keep the shaft straight, a second hand will help here. Also be sure not to scratch the end that goes into the transfercase and is a good idea to wrap and tape it.

   

   Driveshaft meets transfer case

Remove the Front and Rear Carrier Bearings

1. Here you see the shaft out of the car. The lobro joint is that between the two bearings.

   

   Driveshaft (removed from car)

2. Make a mating mark between the front shaft and the rear two so they may be lined up upon assembly. Unbolt the four bolts.

   

   Front and Rear connected

   

   Front and Rear disconnected

   
   

3. Make a mark on the center shaft and the companion flange.

   

   Front companion joint marked

4. Unbolt the nut inside the on front companion joint. It is on there with 137ft lbs, impact wrench works nicely here, otherwise you will have to put the shaft in a vise. Be sure to remove the washer underneath.

   

   Unbolted nut from the front companion joint

5. Use a puller to pull off the companion flange.

   

   Remove the companion flange with the puller

   

   The front companion flange removed

   
   

6. Pry off the outside of the carrier bearing. It might take some force (pictured is the rear bearing but the process is the same)

   

   Pry off the outer rubber from the carrier bearing

   

   The outside rubber/bracket removed

   
   

7. Use a gear puller to remove the rest of the bearing.

   

   Pull the front carrier bearing

   

   Front carrier bearing removed

   
   

8. Mark the rear shaft, center shaft, companion flange, and lobro joint to ensure alignment.

   

   Mark the rear/center shaft, companion and lobro joint

9. Unbolt the lobro joint from the companion flange. There will be a lot of grease inside, I would recommend wearing gloves at this point.

   

   Unbolt the lobro joint

10. Unbolt the nut from the rear companion flange. Be sure to remove the washer from inside as well.

    

    Unbolt the nut from the rear companion flange

    

    Unbolted nut from the rear companion flange

    
    

11. Pull the rear companion flange off.

    

    Pull off the rear companion flange

12. Pry off the outside of the carrier bearing. It might take some force.

    

    Pry off the outer rubber from the carrier bearing

13. Pull the rest of the bearing off.

    

    Remove the rear carrier bearing

Install the New Carrier Bearings

At this point you may start installation of the bearings. If you need to replace your lobro boot continue on below.

There are two sides to the carrier bearing, one has a dust sheild (shown below) and should always face the companion flange.

The dust shield side of a carrier bearing

Install the bearing, and the companion flange making sure to align all marks previously made. Use the companion flange to tighten and press the bearing back on. Torque to 137 ft lbs.

Install the new carrier bearings

Reassemble Driveshaft

At this point you can reinstall making sure to align all marks made. Don't forget to fill the transfercase.

Driveshaft Assembly Diagram

This article originated from a page on Antoni's 3000GT/Stealth Website by Toni.