Carrier bearings solve one of the biggest drivetrain problems in off-road fabrication: routing a driveshaft around chassis components that simply can’t move. Whether it’s crossmembers, link bars, transfer case placement, or suspension packaging, sometimes a one-piece driveshaft just isn’t possible.
That’s where the Wide Open Design Heavy Duty Carrier Bearing Shaft Kit comes in. In this video, Adam Woodlee walks through the complete installation process and explains how to properly:
- align the carrier bearing
- position the mount
- true the shaft
- minimize runout
- and prevent vibration problems
before final welding.
Why Carrier Bearing Alignment Matters
A carrier bearing setup can work flawlessly… or vibrate itself apart. The difference is alignment. If the carrier bearing shaft isn’t straight, centered, or has excessive runout, you’ll end up fighting vibration, premature U-joint wear, bearing failure, and drivetrain instability. That’s why WOD spends so much time dialing in the carrier bearing before final welding.
Step 1: Mock Up the Shaft Assembly
The process starts by assembling:
- transfer case yoke
- carrier bearing shaft
- carrier bearing housing
- yoke assembly
- DOM tubing
The tubing is ordered to length and trimmed to fit the exact drivetrain setup being used. Wide Open Design offers the carrier bearing kits in:
U-joint configurations depending on vehicle power level and drivetrain requirements.
Step 2: Position the Carrier Bearing Mount
Once the shaft assembly is mocked together, the next step is positioning the mount. The goal is to:
- keep the shaft as straight as possible
- clear chassis crossmembers
- avoid suspension interference
- maintain proper link clearance
In the video, Adam explains how the mount can be trimmed and adjusted to work around different chassis layouts while still maintaining acceptable driveline angles. This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of the WOD carrier bearing setup.
Step 3: Use a String Line for Alignment
One of the simplest but most effective alignment methods shown in the video is the string line setup. By stretching a string from yoke to yoke, builders can visually confirm:
- shaft orientation
- mount angle
- and driveline alignment
before tack welding the carrier bearing mount into place. Perfect alignment isn’t always possible in custom chassis fabrication, but the closer the shaft remains to centerline, the smoother the drivetrain will operate.
Step 4: Dial Indicator & Runout
After tack welding, Adam uses a dial indicator to measure shaft runout directly off the machined surfaces. The goal: less than .007” runout. By lightly adjusting the shaft with controlled hammer taps and checking measurements repeatedly, the shaft can be dialed in extremely accurately.
This process dramatically reduces:
- vibration
- imbalance
- driveline harmonics
- and bearing wear
Step 5: Remove Bearings Before Final Welding
One of the most important steps in the process is removing the carrier bearings before fully welding the housing assembly. Heat from welding can damage bearings, distort races, and reduce bearing lifespan, so WOD recommends:
- removing snap rings
- pressing bearings out
- fully welding the housing
- allowing complete cooling
- then reinstalling bearings afterward.
After reassembly, the housing should spin smoothly and freely before final installation.
Final Chassis Welding
Once:
- the shaft is trued
- the housing is welded
- the bearings are reinstalled
the carrier bearing assembly gets bolted back into the chassis. At that point: the chassis mount itself can be fully welded while the shaft holds everything in proper alignment. This final step ensures the drivetrain remains square and true after welding is completed.
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