Driveshaft Center Support Bearing

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the center support bearing on the two-piece driveshaft of a 2014 Ram 2500 4WD with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Driveshaft center support bearing assembly × 1 — Mopar 52124008AB or equivalent
• U-joint strap bolts (if corroded) × 8 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and apply parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow exhaust system to cool completely if vehicle was recently driven
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under frame rails
5. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under rear axle housing
6. Remove skid plates or protective shields if equipped to access driveshaft

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark driveshaft alignment
   Using a marker or paint pen, clearly mark the alignment between the front driveshaft section and rear driveshaft section at the slip yoke connection. Also mark the relationship between each driveshaft end and its mating flange (transfer case output and pinion yoke). These marks are critical for maintaining proper driveshaft phasing during reassembly.
2. 2

   Remove rear driveshaft U-joint straps
   Position drain pan under rear differential pinion yoke area to catch any gear oil that may leak. Remove the four bolts securing the U-joint straps at the rear differential pinion yoke. Support the rear section of the driveshaft to prevent it from dropping. Note the orientation of the U-joint caps and straps for reassembly.
3. 3

   Separate rear driveshaft section
   Carefully pull the rear driveshaft section rearward to disengage it from the front section at the slip yoke connection. The rear section will slide off the splines. Lower the rear section and remove it from under the vehicle. Inspect the slip yoke splines for wear or damage.
4. 4

   Remove front driveshaft U-joint straps
   Remove the four bolts securing the U-joint straps at the transfer case output flange. Support the front driveshaft section and center support bearing assembly to prevent it from dropping when the final bolts are removed.
5. 5

   Remove center support bearing mounting bolts
   Locate the center support bearing mounting bracket attached to the transmission crossmember or frame. Remove the two or three mounting bolts securing the center support bearing bracket. Carefully lower the front driveshaft section with center support bearing assembly from the vehicle. This assembly is heavy and awkward, so use caution.
   ⚠Front driveshaft assembly with center support bearing weighs approximately 30-40 pounds and is unbalanced when removed.
6. 6

   Inspect driveshaft and mark bearing orientation
   With the driveshaft assembly on a clean work surface, inspect the U-joints for wear, play, or damage. Mark the orientation of the center support bearing bracket to the driveshaft tube with a paint pen. The bearing is typically pressed onto the shaft with a specific orientation that must be maintained.
7. 7

   Remove center support bearing
   Remove any retaining hardware (typically snap rings or bolts) securing the center support bearing to its mounting bracket. The bearing assembly is typically a rubber-isolated unit that separates from the bracket. If the bearing is pressed onto the driveshaft, you may need a bearing separator or press to remove it. Note the exact position and orientation of any shims or spacers.
8. 8

   Install new center support bearing
   Install the new center support bearing assembly onto the driveshaft in the exact orientation noted during removal. Ensure any shims or spacers are reinstalled in their original positions. If pressed onto the shaft, ensure the bearing is fully seated to the correct depth. Install the bearing into its mounting bracket and secure with retaining hardware.
9. 9

   Install front driveshaft assembly
   Raise the front driveshaft section with center support bearing assembly into position under the vehicle. Align the center support bearing mounting bracket with its mounting location on the transmission crossmember or frame. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the mounting bolts and install them hand-tight initially. Do not fully torque at this time to allow for alignment.
10. 10

    Connect front U-joint to transfer case
    Align the front U-joint with the transfer case output flange, matching the alignment marks made during disassembly. Install the U-joint straps and bolts. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the U-joint strap bolts. Tighten the strap bolts evenly in a criss-cross pattern to ensure even cap seating before final torquing.
11. 11

    Install rear driveshaft section
    Slide the rear driveshaft section onto the slip yoke splines of the front section, aligning the marks made during disassembly. Ensure the rear section is fully engaged on the splines with adequate overlap (typically 1-2 inches of spline engagement visible).
12. 12

    Connect rear U-joint to differential
    Align the rear U-joint with the pinion yoke on the rear differential, matching the alignment marks made during disassembly. Install the U-joint straps and bolts. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the U-joint strap bolts. Tighten the strap bolts evenly in a criss-cross pattern before final torquing.
13. 13

    Torque center support bearing mounting bolts
    With all driveshaft connections made, torque the center support bearing mounting bolts to specification. This allows the bearing to self-align with the driveshaft under its normal operating position.
14. 14

    Final inspection and verification
    Verify all U-joint strap bolts and center support bearing mounting bolts are torqued to specification. Rotate the driveshaft by hand through several complete revolutions to check for binding, interference, or unusual resistance. Check that all alignment marks are properly matched. Reinstall any skid plates or protective shields removed during preparation.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any skid plates or protective shields in reverse order of removal
2. Lower vehicle carefully from jack stands and remove wheel chocks
3. Check rear differential fluid level and top off if necessary with Mopar 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant

Verification

• Before test driving, start engine and shift through all gear ranges to verify no unusual noises from driveline
• Perform a test drive at various speeds (15 mph, 35 mph, 55 mph) to check for vibration or noise from the driveshaft
• Any vibration indicates misalignment or improper assembly - recheck all alignment marks and torque specifications
• Inspect center support bearing area and all U-joint connections after test drive for any signs of movement or looseness

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