Driveshaft Center Support Bearing - Drive Shaft Info

[ARCHINSTL]

Has anyone replaced the drive shaft center support bearing? I could find no mention of anyone replacing it or tips beyond the FSM info. Anyone recall the size of the nut which holds the flange to the shaft? The FSM advises that a new nut should be used - opinions on that?

Any recommendations on sourcing?
RockAuto shows a Timken at $88 and a National at $118; quite a difference!
AutoZone shows the same Timken at $141 ! O'Reilly shows the same National at $137 !
Butler shows OE at $238 !

Thanks!
Tom M.

[Petros]

I would go wrecking yard before I spend that much on a single bearing. I can buy a whole driveshaft assembly at the local pull-a-part for about $12. I just need the patients to wait for a good one to show up.

[splatterdog]

I would go wrecking yard before I spend that much on a single bearing. I can buy a whole driveshaft assembly at the local pull-a-part for about $12. I just need the patients to wait for a good one to show up.

YOU can. Most the rest of us are in nearly T4 free zones. Cars are cycled thru the yards pretty quick with scap prices up.

Yeah the bearing price sucks but what do you do. Still a small price to pay for one of the best cars ever made. Most people these days, on newer cars are downright giddy when a part only costs $100.

One thing to consider is how are the u-joints? Whole reman driveshafts are very expensive too. But if the joints are going that hundo for the bearing might be better spent towards the whole shaft.

[ARCHINSTL]

OK - on sourcing...
The (much less-expensive) Timken HB-7 is apparently NLA from many vendors - and I tried a lot of them. AutoZone and Rock Auto told me that Timken said it would no longer make them. It is possible than some independent parts vendor might still have some - but will require detective work. Most were apparently used up by Celica owners.
So, what I got was the National (aka Federal Mogul) HB-7 from Rock Auto. It was $112 after the 5% Club discount . Shipping was $10 from Brooklyn to STL. This was the best price I could find. It's the same one that '82-'85 Celicas use.
This is actually Made In Japan by KS MITOYO, which makes many OEM parts.
As an aside - RA took my first order for the Timken and then waited 2 days to call and tell me it was NLA.
When I install it I will do a pictorial.

ALSO - I called a STL-area driveshaft rebuilder (dragsters, offroad, commercial, industrial, etc.) to see if he could rebuild the driveshafts if necessary. Oddly, he knew right away about the T4WD (old guy) and also that the '82-'85 Celicas, too, had non-replaceable U-joints. He said he could rebuild it for big bucks, but a better idea is a rebuilt one from a company in CA which actually keeps them in stock(!). I forgot to get its name. He did say that he's used this company for years and has never had a failure. The cost for both shafts would be $376, plus freight. I forgot to ask about a core charge. He said it would take about a week to get, should I choose.
OT, but something I liked about this guy is that he did not snicker/giggle/snort when I told him what kind of car I had. Cool!
So - there is a source out thataway. Maybe 4wdchico or tercel4wdrules have further info on the company?

See http://www.tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtop ... f=3&t=5743 for some OE parts numbers for bits.
Additionally, the OE bearing from Toy dealers can run up to $320; Butler will charge $236.
Tom M.

P.S. - I echo splatterdog's comment on being in a "T4 free zone" as far as JY Wagon sourcing goes.