So I've read around the archives and see that many people here have had the same vibration issue that I'm experiencing and end up buying a new driveshaft. I'm seeing one from coz for $300(91 tt 5spd 2+0), but if I just get a new center bearing it's $130...so...I'd really like to save the $200...has anybody here just replaced the center bearing? Results?

 

Yes, I've replaced the bearing on mine before and it worked just fine. The same can be said for thousands of Z32 owners and the majority of people on TT.NET.

Ignore people who think the u-joints are the "#1 cause of bearing failure"... they're wrong. Rubber wears out with age... it's that simple.

P.S. Mark the position of the driveshaft when you remove it for bearing replacement. Reinstall it with the same orientation. If it vibrates at all, rotate the drivesaft one bolt until the vibration goes away.

 

lol he's talking about me as the person to ignore.

but anyway, here's my story... i replaced the carrier bearing which was totally shot, and about 5k later it went out again. and guess what i noticed after i took the drive shaft out the second time... there was a u-joint with a little click in it. so there's not a doubt in my mind that considering the risk of re-failure, the 1-piece is the way to go.

if however, you get the drive shaft out and find that all 3 of your u-joints are completely absolutely free moving and loose throughout their whole range of motion, then it's almost a completely sure thing that you will be one of the instances where the new carrier bearing will last as long as the old one. but seriously, if you ever have to replace a carrier bearing more than once, you've just spent as much money as you would have on a 1-piece. why take the risk?

btw, z1 drive shaft is about $260, plus they give you a bum *** poster.

 

Thanks for the input. I do think you're right - that I really need to take the current shaft out and check out the u-joints before I make a call on this. I just have a hard time believing they're bad though because the car only has 80k on it, and it doesn't seem to have been abused. I am glad to hear that at least one person on this board has replaced just the center bearing and things turned out ok though!

I guess I'll be disassembling this weekend...and checking back here for any more input! Thanks

 

One other thing - you mentioned that the Z1 driveshaft was $260 - and it is for the NA car, but one for my TT is $330. It cracks me up that I did find one used OEM driveshaft for $200 - and to that I think "why bother?". I'd sooner buy the center bearing for $130.

 

http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300z...at-I-have.html

Those who have been in the community a while know who Bernie is... and he is among the most respected members for his knowledge of the car. Statistics say that you'll be just fine replacing the CSB.

 

yeah yeah. we know each others stands

 

I never got a poster...

 

Mine went before 65k.

I bought the Z with 65k on it and it was already shot. I dont know if the car was abused or whatever, but thats still pretty low. Eventually the shaft just wound up snapping at the center.

I got the one piece for Z1, Im happy with it.

 

But really, where the f's my poster.

 

dunno dude. they let me take a choice of 3 different posters with z's and half naked ladies on them. = hot

 

damn, im gonna have to send them an email.

they sent me stickers, that was it. i prefer *****, thats just me.

 

it may have been a limited time thing.

 

I really appreciate the input here...I got the driveshaft out - major PITA due to rusty exhaust bolts...but it's out. Sure enough, one of the u-joints has a nice little hitch in its giddy-up and despite my desire to save a couple hundred bucks, I'm going to have to replace the whole thing.