The drive shaft carrier bearing can only be replaced by taking apart the drive shaft. Usually only a mechanic or specialized shop can do that. Since the drive shaft has to be taken apart it needs to be re-balanced. Think of it like taking the tire off of your rim and putting it back on, you have to re-balance the wheel after that.

 

An out of balance prop or drive shaft can damage the rest of the transmission so you may save a few bucks on the shaft with a DIY job, but be looking at $8,000 for a new gearbox.

 

as I heard there is no mechanic in here who has a re-balance machine.. So i'll have to buy the whole drive shaft from the dealers.. and here it is 1400$

 

So then, if you mark the shaft prior to pulling it out, and then realign to same mark that should negate the re-balance...........it's logical in my head (?)

 

I think you actually have the pull it apart rather that simply removing and reinstalling. That being said, what you say is basically sound. With careful marking and reassembly back to those marks should work, in theory.

MNE, if you have a good quality engineering shop with a reasonable size lathe, they should be able to run the reassembled shaft up to "highway" speeds and observe if it has any balance problems. Granted they won't be able to measure and balance the shaft but at least you will have the ability to see if it is prone to vibration ( out of balance) or not.

Stuart...

 

Thanks Stuart,I was today at many shops.. They don't want to take it or try to fix it. None of them did ever the bearing replacement. I think I am going to replace it myself,and mark the drive shaft as you said me.

 

I have heard that the Porsche Cayenne part number is the same and amazingly it is cheaper. At least worth a call. Mine is making noise at start up so I am watching (listening) to it. Let me know what you find out. Thanks '06 V8 65k miles

 

If you think the bearing is starting to go, don't delay, replace it.

I'd recommend anyone whose car is either at 60K or 5 years [yes, failures are clearly time related as well as mileage since it is the rubber that perishes] to replace the bearing as a routine maintenance item.

When the bearing lets go it can result in very violent vibration that makes the car undriveable so you need to tow it away and you risk damaging the $8,000 gearbox too.

 

its my mistake,i should do it when i noticed that the shaft is moving.. The part is the same and they sell it as a Cayenne,Touareg and Q7 driveshaft support bearing.. I got the bearing shaft from usa and i changed it in my garage,i did it like oilslurper and stuart said.. I marked the shaft before i pulled it out and then i reassembled it back to those marks.. There is no sound or any vibrations at all,i tried it at 160kmh and everything works great.. Thanks a lot,without this forum i would pay 1400$ to vw dealers..

 

Where did you buy the bearing?