Little help with center bearing

At the start of summer I started to hear very intermittently a whining noise, but could not identify it. It would come and go sporadically, then it became more frequent. I took the vehicle to the local dealership, that usually does the maintenance and does a good job.

I'm paralyzed from the neck down and don't use the van all that frequently, mostly medical appointments etc. I took it in twice, trying to identify this noise, but again it was sporadic and intermittent. Both times the sprinter tech took it for a ride and could find nothing.
I took it in twice, because the seven year warranty was running out on July 29.

In the last week when going to a medical appointment the noise was constant at any speed below 30 mi./h and would dissipate at higher highway speeds.

Took it in today and finally was diagnosed as rear driveshaft center bearing. Around $700 to do the job. I'm wondering if that's a fair price, and I'm off also wondering if I have any recourse in it being covered under the warranty seeing as I took it in twice before the warranty expired complaining about this exact issue, it just could not be identified at the time.

Also although it is a 2008 2500, because I am paralyzed and use it infrequently it only has 30,000 miles, is it common to have this issue at that low mileage.

As always thanks for the help, much appreciated
Shamrock

Will they rebuild driveshaft? Sounds fai.
I had mine rebuilt by a local transmission specialist and It cost $1200 which was picked up by my extended warranty so cost me $100 out of pocket.
Started at 40k miles for me and the other symptoms are just like you described.
Good luck.

awaywego said:

Will they rebuild driveshaft? Sounds fai.
I had mine rebuilt by a local transmission specialist and It cost $1200 which was picked up by my extended warranty so cost me $100 out of pocket.
Started at 40k miles for me and the other symptoms are just like you described.
Good luck.

Click to expand...

thanks for the reply… You think I need a complete driveshaft rebuild? Or just the bearing. They said it was the center bearing and would cost like $700.

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=237992&postcount=13

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=290898&postcount=15

I lived with the bearing sound for months and could have waited longer as there was no bearing play or heat, just audial sound .

WD- 40 needs to be sprayed on rubber around the bearing . Noise will go away . My brother -in- law has 2008 with 360k . Bought it brand new . Noise started at 40k . Sprayed wd 40 as needed and still drives to this day . No play in bearings.
I had a 97 Passat TDI . Had some noise and replaced everything - all rollers , alternator , tensioner , even AC compressor - did not help. Turned out it was rubber on harmonic balancer ( was not even cracked ) . Replaced harmonic balancer - no noise .

Stick to your guns on the warranty. You took it in before it was up. Intermittent problems are a PIA.

Lot's of post about the '07 and '08's here if you search making noise under 40k. My experience was it showing up after driving on roads and snowmelt with mag-chloride or salts.

As always thanks guys for your feedback and advice. If someone could be kind enough to tell me where this bearing is so I can have my brother spray with WD-40 and see if that resolves the issue. Being in a wheelchair it's difficult for me to know where you are talking about as I can't get under the vehicle. I can certainly instruct him where to spray. Thanks again greatly appreciated!

The hanger bearing/carrier bearing/support bearing is along the drive shaft ——(long wheel base has two of them); the bearing supports the drive shaft that spans the length between transmission and differential
A picture of one••

My 2008 2500 170 ext. with 170k just started making a noise that sounds like a bad blower motor in an old car. Not a roar but a whine. Mostly at 45 mph and below. I sprayed the center bearings but it did not seem to make a difference. I will try in the day light to re spray. My question is how hard is it to replace this center bearing? I'm pretty sure my van has two of these.

Its not hard to change the support bearing assys which are called wrinkle bearings in the MB catalog!!!! Curious description.

The modis operandi is to mark each apart with a paint stick to ensure it all goes back in the original alignment.

Taking it apart is simple enough but you MUST use a puller (use a screw bolt style with forked base to pick up on the flange bolt holes and the used original prop flange bolts which are 10x1x 30. )
You will need a pair of snap ring pliers for external snap rings, although new ones are in the kit; so you can be an aggressive butcher with it but use protective eye wear!

Don't be tempted to beat the crap out of it with a punch and a hammer to separate it all!
You will bend the prop just a few thou and induce balance and other problems!
A puller like this will work!
http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...s/bearing-separator-and-puller-set-62593.html

Where the slip joint is located you will need a blank washer style plug used for pulling against that is found in most good universal pulling tools --use it!
Remember the bearings are different on multi supported long wheel base props, so don't mix up the bearings because there is a front and a rear!
All the best
Dennis
Mechanic

I smeared mine both of them front and back with some lithium grease all around the edge of the rubber seal and sprayed them both (maybe better in reverse order) and it did seem to help for quite a while,

As long as there is no movement or looseness in the bearing, it should operate just fine.

I'm waiting on just a little warmer weather to attempt this so shooting some lubricant should make it until spring.