Has anyone replaced their Center Drive Shaft Bearing yourself, if so how hard was it?

 

I see you have an sc400... Don't know much about that DS, but my guess is that the center bearing is the same as the sc300. Unfortunately, I don't think the bearing is a replacable part. It might come with the forward half-shaft attached.

Shaft replacement is easy (for sc300). Just unbolt the universal aft of the center bearing, remove the two center bearing bolts, and detach the forward shaft from the output shaft of the tranny. Shouldn't be too difficult.

See this thread for a pic of the center bearing on sc300: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=68003

-scott

 

Here's a pic of the center bearing:

 

I just had this service done today at the dealer. My wallet is $1140 lighter because of it.

From what I know now, the SC400 drive shafts are different from the SC300's. On a SC300, it isn't too difficult to R&R. I did it once on my '89 Supra, which shares many of the charatistics of both vehicles.

On the 400's, the whole freakin drive shaft has to be replaced. They can't or won't pound out the U-joints to just replace the center support bearing.

I do have to give Tustin Lexus credit. They treated me well. The shop foreman took a test drive with me before the repair to hear the noise the bearing was making. Later, when I picked up the car, he showed me the part and how it had failed. Something about the "spline", which is a part the moves as the drive shaft moves in and out (expands and contracts). Maybe is was all BS, but the car now feels solid.

 

Don't know about you guys, but Lexus of Jacksonville Florida replaced mine for $379.00 (Including the Bearing).

 

Guys guess what I replaced the center bearing and I still have the vibe at highway speeds.

 

Boggy,

Try reassembling the shaft "x" (45, 90, etc) degrees from its original orientation with respect to the output shaft of the tranny. It's possible that reorienting the shaft will reduce the out-of-balance/out-of-center problems with the DS. You can try the same approach at the companion flange of the differential.

That's all I can think of. If that doesn't work, take the DS back.

-scott

 

It does not vibe until I let off the gas and coast? Well I'm on the gas it is smooth.

 

thanks for your replies and encouragement, I do have the sc300

 

Yeah sounds like out of balance driveshaft.