Worn differential carrier bearings?

210 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by EJIO, 3 d ago

EJIO

Discussion Starter · 8 d ago

Hello,
I have a 1986 LeBaron 2.2 NA with a 1992 year auto trans, equal length shafts, . The car pulls right when accelerating and pulls left if I let off the gas. Since I can move the drivers side shaft side-side and up-down somewhere between 1/8" and 1/4" I am guessing that the carrier bearing on the drivers side is shot but want to check with the experts here before I start ripping into the tranny which otherwise works fine.
Many thanks,
Ed

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GLHS0815

· #2 · 8 d ago

Not sure how the carrier bearings would cause the car to push while accelerating and pull during deceleration. I say that as the steering knuckles and control arms are relatively fixed. I could see where that could cause a vibration though.

Now with that said, both my 87 Charger and 89 Shadow pulled right under acceleration and when you let off it would dart left with all the counter steer you have to put in to keep it in your lane during acceleration. I suspected control are bushings shot and causing the alignment to go wonky so I replaced those bushing in both cars along with ball joints, and no more darting right or left.

I am sure other will chime in and tell me I am wrong, but I know what I did for the same problem and fixed my issues.

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EJIO

Discussion Starter · #3 · 8 d ago

GLHS0815 said:
Not sure how the carrier bearings would cause the car to push while accelerating and pull during deceleration. I say that as the steering knuckles and control arms are relatively fixed. I could see where that could cause a vibration though.

Now with that said, both my 87 Charger and 89 Shadow pulled right under acceleration and when you let off it would dart left with all the counter steer you have to put in to keep it in your lane during acceleration. I suspected control are bushings shot and causing the alignment to go wonky so I replaced those bushing in both cars along with ball joints, and no more darting right or left.

I am sure other will chime in and tell me I am wrong, but I know what I did for the same problem and fixed my issues.

Thanks for the quick reply, I was thinking that maybe the differential is moving/cocking slightly and somehow that causes the torque to go more towards the left wheel and engine braking torque to get fed in from the right wheel.
The car just had the ps rack replaced (internal damage) and aligned a couple of weeks ago but it was doing the same thing before.
Regards,
Ed

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NAJ

· #4 · 7 d ago

If you had a bearing issue you would have a growling/whining noise, the noise would be constant if it were the carrier bearings or spider gears. A pinion bearing will make noise on acceleration or deceleration depending on weather the bearing issue is with the front or rear pinion bearing.
1)Engine Mounts, if any are broken/cracked/bent and the engine has dropped or is moving excessively it will completely throw off drivetrain geometry and create the Torque Steer issues you are describing.
a)The Front Engine Mount supports the front of the engine and controls fore and aft movement.
b)The Passenger Side Engine Mount not only supports the engine on the passenger side, it is also adjustable and is used to properly align the engine/driveaxles and hold that alignment in place.
c)The Trans Mount is nothing but support and allows the engine to be moved side to side for driveaxle alignment.
d)If this is a manual trans you also have a Torque Strut (AKA, Bobble Strut) on the backside of the trans to cross member.
1986/1992 Engine Mounts

2)Drive Axle Alignment
a)If the car has been in an accident, had the engine removed or the passenger side engine mount has been replaced the engine needs to be centered for proper driveaxle alignment.
Failure to properly center the engine can lead to steering/handling issues along with damage to the driveaxles.

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EJIO

Discussion Starter · #5 · 3 d ago

NAJ said:
If you had a bearing issue you would have a growling/whining noise, the noise would be constant if it were the carrier bearings or spider gears. A pinion bearing will make noise on acceleration or deceleration depending on weather the bearing issue is with the front or rear pinion bearing.
1)Engine Mounts, if any are broken/cracked/bent and the engine has dropped or is moving excessively it will completely throw off drivetrain geometry and create the Torque Steer issues you are describing.
a)The Front Engine Mount supports the front of the engine and controls fore and aft movement.
b)The Passenger Side Engine Mount not only supports the engine on the passenger side, it is also adjustable and is used to properly align the engine/driveaxles and hold that alignment in place.
c)The Trans Mount is nothing but support and allows the engine to be moved side to side for driveaxle alignment.
d)If this is a manual trans you also have a Torque Strut (AKA, Bobble Strut) on the backside of the trans to cross member.
1986/1992 Engine Mounts
View attachment 285745 View attachment 285746 View attachment 285747 View attachment 285748
2)Drive Axle Alignment
a)If the car has been in an accident, had the engine removed or the passenger side engine mount has been replaced the engine needs to be centered for proper driveaxle alignment.
Failure to properly center the engine can lead to steering/handling issues along with damage to the driveaxles.
View attachment 285749 View attachment 285750 View attachment 285751

Hi NAJ,
Thanks for replying. I do hear a growling but only under load, like going up an incline, and it is mitigated if I turn the wheel slightly to the right.
The engine barely moves (less than 1" total amplitude) when shifting from drive to reverse and back, revving the engine with the brakes applied and the trans in drive yields a max rpm of 2K and no noticeable vibration.
Pass side mount is tightened down.
Yesterday am and more so today I noticed that the auto trans does not want to upshift from 1st when cold but shifts ok when warmed up, maybe there's a lot of crap in the bottom of that oil pan.
Thanks again,
Ed

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