Center Bearing - Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual

AN
PROPELLER SHAFT - REAR
REMOVAL
(1) Place the transmission into the Neutral posi-
tion.
(2) Raise and support vehicle on safety stands.
(3) Mark a line across the axle companion flange
and flange yoke for installation reference.
(4) Mark an outline of the center bearing on the
support bracket for
equipped.
(5) Mark an outline of the heat shield on the cen-
ter bearing for installation reference, if equipped.
(6) Remove center bearing and heat shield bolts, if
equipped.
(7) Remove companion flange bolts.
(8) Slide slip yoke off of the transmission, or trans-
fer case, output shaft and remove the propeller shaft
(Fig. 14).
Fig. 14 Propeller Shaft
1 - COMPANION FLANGE
2 - FLANGE YOKE
3 - REAR PROPELLER SHAFT
INSTALLATION
(1) Slide the slip yoke onto the transmission, or
transfer case, output shaft.
(2) Align and install the center bearing and heat
shield to the support bracket, if necessary. Install the
bolts and tighten to 68 N·m (50 ft. lbs.).
(3) Align companion flange reference mark with
flange yoke mark.
(4) Install companion flange bolts and tighten to
108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.).
(5) Lower the vehicle.
installation reference,

CENTER BEARING

DESCRIPTION
The two-piece propeller shaft uses a center bearing
to support the shafts. The bearing is used to support
the shafts where they are joined together. The bear-
ing is insulated in rubber and is mounted to the
frame crossmember.
OPERATION
if
The propeller shaft center bearing serves to divide
the required propeller shaft length into two smaller
shafts, which has several inherent advantages. Hav-
ing two short propeller shafts instead of one long
shaft decreases the chance of unwanted noise and
vibrations. The shorter shafts are easier to balance
and serve to increase ground clearance while main-
taining acceptable driveline angles.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove rear propeller shaft.
(2) Remove slip joint boot clamp and separate the
two half-shafts.
(3) Use hammer and punch to tap slinger away
from shaft to provide room for bearing splitter.
(4) Position Bearing Splitter Tool 1130 between
slinger and shaft.
CAUTION: Do not damage shaft spline during
removal of center bearing.
(5) Set shaft in press and press bearing off the
shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install new slinger on shaft and drive into posi-
tion with appropriate installer tool.
(2) Install new center bearing on shaft with Bear-
ing Installer Tool 6052. Drive on shaft with hammer
until bearing is seated.
(3) Clean shaft splines and apply a coat of multi–
purpose grease.
(4) Align master splines and slide front and rear
half-shafts together. Reposition slip yoke boot and
install new clamp.
(5) Install propeller shaft in vehicle.
PROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 9