We found a back road with no traffic and I tied myself in the doorway so I could watch under the motor home while he drove. Traction bars don't affect the load carrying ability. All they are for is to keep the diff from twisting so I wouldn't be afraid to put them on if it will fix the problem.

 

k so heres what i found....the 2nd u-joint back has a little play in it the others have none and also i could move the driveshaft up and down about a half inch in the hanger bearing? is this normal it has like a bushing around it so does the play sound normal. also the u-joints are still the factory ones so i'm guessing i will replace all three while i'm under there the truck had got 106,000 on it so might be time but is that normal for the hanger? also what the cost of a hanger bearing anyways?

 

Pretty close to the price of a u-joint from NAPA. Which is about $35.

 

The bearing has to be able to flex some and is mounted in rubber for that purpose but it should feel like it has resistance to flopping around.

 

If you can easily move that 1/2" I would say its shot. Thats the carrier bearing that you are looking at. With 100k on it, I would go ahead and put 3 new joints in it, along with a carrier, and DON'T cheap out on joints. Get the good ones and lube them regularly.

 

so what can i expect to spend for all?

 

Just read that the carrier is only available from the dealer at a tune of $145. With that and 3 u-joints from NAPA @ $35 a piece, looking at $250.

 

sorry it took so long to get back to you guys but the other day i had one of my employess look underneath as i was taking off with my telehandler loaded on the 53' gooseneck and he said the driveline was just jumpimg in the carrier bearing so we got one one order and it should be in tomorrow or by the end of this week as well as all u-joints throughout the truck figured might as well replace them all. just hope it gets done cause they are forecasting up to 20" of snow for us by friday

 

Updates??

 

Please update.