starting to get a bit of vibration thru the car over 50mph, How do i replace the centre bearing on the prop shaft?

what needs removing?

exhaust?

heat shields?

?????

Thanks guys.

Drop exhausts

Remove headshield

You want to seperate the prop in the midle where the bearing is (I leave the rear half on the car), but make sure you mark it with tipex before you do so you know which way to both them back together after.

 

There are 4 bolts to undo to seperate both halves of the prop (you'll need 2 17mm spanners from memory) and will have to spin the prop round to get to each bolt. You will need handbrake on to be able to undo the bolts, and have to take it back off to turn prop each time..bit of a PITA...it can be done by pulling on the handbrake cable just above the prop and releasing when needed though.

 

Then there are 2 more bolts holding the bearing carrier to the car. It just pulls out of the gearbox end.

 

Then you need to undo the large nut on end of prop to get the bearing carrier off. Its a lot easier with an Impact Air gun.

 

 

 

....or you can just fit a One piece lightweight prop for more response/power and not have to worry about the dreaded centre bearings again :)

It might not be the centre bearing. I've had loads of trouble with props and mainly it was the rear gearbox mount sagging. People easily blame Nissan for poor design of this mount, but the culprit can be the exhaust hangers sagging.

 

The exhaust is connected to the rear gearbox mount and if there is too much weight on the mount, it pulls the prop out of alignment - and the alignment of the prop is critical, there's not much tollerance in there.

 

Before you change the centre bearing, get under the car and remove the front exhaust hanger from the gerbox mount and see if the vibes go. If they do then replace all of the hangers making sure there's no weight on the mount when you replace them. If the problem partially goes then maybe you should consider replacing the gearbox mount too...

 

...alternatively, it's your centre bearing - but in over 7 years of Z ownership I've bought 4 rear gearbox mounts and no centre bearing. The Zs have been NAs.

 

It's only when I had the prop away at Propshaft Clinic - to get their take on it - that they told me about the exhaust hanger issue - guess what, they were right.

 

Good luck

 

Jack

....or you can just fit a One piece lightweight prop for more response/power and not have to worry about the dreaded centre bearings again :)

all the stories i have heard regarding these have been nightmares of continued vibration..?..

...that's because they are not addressing the problem - it's not the centre bearing. If you fit a one piece, buy the uprated Nismo gearbox mount too...

 

good luck

 

Jack

...that's because they are not addressing the problem - it's not the centre bearing. If you fit a one piece, buy the uprated Nismo gearbox mount too...

 

good luck

 

Jack

im getting vibration too so im gonna go out now and remove the gearbox exhaust hangars... il let ya know how it goes :)

J1mmytt has already replaced the gearbox mount with a Nismo jobbie.

 

While yes there are several causes for Prop vibrations (gearbox mount, U.J ends, Prop alignment) it is usually the prop bearing but its easy to tell on inspection if its torn or sagging.

 

It always worth changing the gearbox mount too as they sag with old age.

 

I've fixed an exhaust hanger vibration issue previously too, with the mount not sitting properly in its hanger, the metal hanger was touching the metal of the gearbox mount given a very similar vibration to a drivetrain issue.

 

I've not yet fitted and driven with a 1 piece prop, but there are loads of reviews on the U.S forums from those that have and reported no noticable vibrations. As Jack mentions, if you still have vibrations with the 1 piece..then thats not the culprit.

wheres the best place to get a one piece prop... I want rid of mine i've decided, stupid two peice propshaft. Completly unrequired and iritating!

The one piece prop is not as forgiving as the 2 piece so any problems will be amplified (from my experience). What not many people mention (and mine was on an NA) is that the difference in response (acceleration) between the 2 piece (heavy and slow) and the 1 piece (light and quick) is considerable.

 

But I do think that Nissan made the prop as it is to help soak up stuff (can't think of the right word) as everything flaps around and whatever happens between the engine and the back wheels...

 

Z1 Motorsport in the US - about £200...

 

Good luck

 

Jack

Yep already changed gearbox mount..... exhaust hanger is fine there is hardly any wieght on the hanger when i replaced the mount the exhaust was pretty solid and just slid into the hangers with ease.

 

the previous owner bought a prop bearing and left it in the boot, so i may aswell fit it, nothing too lose except a few man hours.

 

all my suspension bits came in the post while i was away.

poly bushes all round, rear subframe collars new all round uprated shocks cant wait to put them on in the morning..

need to visit westlakes and purchase a blow torch to melt the old bushes :)

 

oooh and thanks guys for the fitting advice much apprieceated.

so what other ways is there of telling if the bearing is pooped?

im not getting any vibration as such but i still get a knock noise when coming of the throttle.

now ive changed:

gearbox mount

passenger side engine mount

and fitted subframe collars

this annoying knock noise and loose wobble feeling is still present when i come on and off throttle seems to be coming from just behind my seat or maybe slightly further back????

diff bushes?

im hoping its not these as im not up to taking the subframe off myself to fit them. could it be worn prop shaft or something near there?

help would be appriceated as im getting frustrated with all the parts ive fitted with no joy although they have helped towards a better drive.