Prop Shaft Carrier Bearings...Bad?

[TGPilot]

Hey folks,

I am curious to know how I can tell if my carrier bearings are worn out. I do have a slight (very very minor) driveline vibration, but as far as I can tell it is not the UV joints...they look strong and intact.

The car is a 94 TSi with 128,xxx miles on it.

Thanks

-Kenny

[Wizard]

A U-joint can be bad and not have slack. Carrier bearings won't cause any real driveline vibration. It more like floats in the bearing. U-joints are very common for it and if the problem seems to start at about 45mph.....U-joints. $10 each at Advance Auto Parts.

Wiz

[TGPilot]

Well I think I actually found my issue. I put my test pipe in the exhaust when I was putting things back together. I did not see when I tightened things up that it was hitting the frame.

I think I am going to do the U-joints as preventative maintenance anyway though.

Thanks for the response!

-Kenny

[Goat Blower]

For future reference, you can check your carrier bearings by grabbing the driveshaft and yanking it back and forth. If it hits the metal housing on either carrier bearing, it needs to be fixed or replaced. The common symptom is a thumping sound from the rear on hard acceleration.

[Wizard]

Save the u-joints until they fail. They are a total PITA to change. They are very small and very aggrevating.

Wiz