U joints and drive shaft

[thenewkid64]

I havd had a vibration in the drivetrain on my MH since I purchased it. The vibration becomes very noticable at about 45 MPH and seems to fade out around 65. the main vibration is felt in the floor in the kitchen. This is right above where the carrier bearing is.

I decided to replace all 3 u-jounts and the carrier bearing. I disconnected the drive shaft from the transmission and have removed the front u-jount. Now for my dumb questions. Is there an easy way to remove the bearing cups fron the shaft. Pounding them out and in with a hammer seems a bit excessive. How do I seperate the drive shaft sections so I can swap out the carrier bearing? Do I need to reuse the shims that came off the saddle on the back of the transmission? Am I stupid for doing this myself instead of paying my trusted mechanic to do this for me?
Ok, so the last one is retorical. At this point, driveshaft laying on the driveway connected to the rear differential, I can not even think of getting it to my mechanic unless it is on a hook.

So a little advice would be apperciated!

Thanks,

[PeterH-350LE]

Brett,
I trust you blocked your wheels and pulled the emergency brake.
Don't laugh, I have a driveway with a slight slant and was about to pull the shaft on my previous motorhome, when something dawned on me......
The cups are removed with a vise using 2 different size sockets. One small that slides into the yoke and the big one for the cup to slide in on the other side.
The two driveshafts should just pull apart at the center support bearing. Look for the alignment key when reassembling.
The driveshaft should have been marked in relation to the transmission and rear gear flanges before disassembling.

[thenewkid64]

Peter,

Thanks for the reply.

I thought of the blocking prior to sliding under the MH. I have a chunk of old RR tie cut at a 45 degree or so angle. I place this on the downhill side of the MH whenever I am under it. In this case I added some additional insurance. I took the adjustable risers out of my jack stands and flipped them on their sides in front of the downhill side of the front tires. If it rolls away like that I better NOT be under it. After setting up the blocks I parked it in neutral and let it roll onto the stops, this I did to unload the drive shaft. I was able to remove the entire shaft this AM and I got the right size U joint from NAPA and installed it. I also pulled apart the center spline and was able to replace the carrier bearing. While at NAPA the counter guy told me that according to his book the 2 U joints further back are smaller. WRONG! they are all the same size. SO the drive shaft has been reinstalled with the 2 rear joints as they were. The vibration is 98% gone and I will need to order the other parts, as they were not available locally.

As to marking the shaft so it goes back in the same way, I did not do this. I figured that the shaft is balanced, why would I need to be sure it goes back in the same direction it came out? I also had left the transmission in neutral so I could move the output shaft for reinstall. I understand regarding the spline and lining it up on key. I never try to force something until I am sure I am not damaging it. Needless to say I found the key.