Buy Ford Explorer Sport Trac Drive Shaft Center Support Bearings

This page explains everything you need to know about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac drive-shaft center support bearing-also called a carrier bearing, hanger bearing, propshaft bearing, or driveline center bushing. You will learn what it does, why it matters, common failure signs, replacement tips, torque specs, and answers to the questions mechanics and DIY owners ask most. Use this guide to make smart repair choices and boost the life of your truck's propeller-shaft system. (Wikipedia, intenggears)

A two-piece driveshaft needs a steady mid-point so it can spin smoothly as the suspension moves. The center support bearing fills that role. A rubber-insulated metal bracket bolts to the truck's frame cross-member, and a sealed ball bearing inside it cradles the propshaft's center yoke. Together they keep the shaft aligned, cut vibration, and protect the universal joints. (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)

Power leaves the transmission, runs down the front half of the shaft, passes through the center bearing, and continues to the rear differential. The elastic rubber sleeve lets the aluminum or steel shaft lengthen and shorten slightly while the truck hits bumps or carries heavy loads. Without this flexible link, the shaft could bind, crack U-joints, or shake the whole chassis. (intenggears, Wuling)

This bearing style appears on 2001-2010 Explorer Sport Trac models in both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains that use a split propshaft. Always match the bearing's inner diameter to your shaft (commonly 1.574 in / 40 mm) and confirm the bracket bolt spacing before purchase. Ford reference number 1L2Z-4B422-BA is found in many service manuals for Sport Trac mid-support assemblies. (JustAnswer, Ford Parts Giant)

• Rumbling or humming that rises with road speed. (JustAnswer)
• Driveline vibration felt in the seat or floor at 40-70 mph. (Explorer Forum)
• Clunk on take-off when rubber isolator tears and the shaft sags. (Explorer Forum)
• Visible cracks in the rubber sleeve or a loose carrier bracket. (Explorer Forum)

Ignoring these clues can stress U-joints and pinion bearings, leading to bigger repairs.

• Age-related rubber dry-rot.
• Mud, salt, or oil attacking the elastomer.
• Repeated hard launches or towing beyond the 5,000-lb rating.
• Lift kits that alter shaft angle without adding shims.
• A bent propshaft that overloads the bearing. (Drive Shafts Incorporated)

1. Block wheels; set the truck on jack stands.
2. Grab the center of the shaft and push up-any movement over 1/8 in means the hanger rubber is torn.
3. Spin the shaft by hand; gritty feel implies bearing wear.
4. Check bracket bolts for rust or stretch. (Ford Trucks)

1. Mark shaft halves so they realign later.
2. Remove four flange bolts (13 mm) at the rear diff.
3. Support the shaft; unbolt the carrier (15 mm).
4. Separate the two sections; press or cut the old bearing off.
5. Press on the new bearing (inner race only).
6. Re-assemble, align paint marks, tighten fasteners to spec.
   A full video walk-through is available here.

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Grease any splines with lithium moly grease before final torque.

Most Sport Trac carriers use a stamped-steel saddle with a high-durometer natural-rubber cushion. The bearing itself is a sealed, single-row deep-groove ball unit packed with high-temperature grease and shielded against road splash. Up-rated aftermarket options swap polyurethane or billet aluminum for increased durability. (AED Racing)

A failed hanger bearing can let the propshaft whip around, strike the exhaust, or drop to the ground-risking loss of control. Timely replacement restores smooth cruising, protects transfer-case seals, and helps gas mileage by reducing driveline drag. (Explorer Forum)

While the shaft is down, inspect these items:

• Front and rear U-joints for play.
• Slip-yoke splines for rust.
• Diff pinion seal for leaks.
• Transmission output seal on 4×2 trucks. (Explorer Forum)

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Road salt shortens rubber life. Rinse the under-body in winter and spray silicone on the mount twice a year. Off-roaders can wrap the bracket with a flexible shield to keep out gravel that may cut the isolator. (Wuling)

• Read the full Drive-shaft article on Wikipedia for background on propeller shafts.
• Watch a step-by-step Sport Trac carrier-bearing replacement video before tackling the job.
• Join the discussion on the Explorer Forum thread covering center bearing fixes.
• Review a concise engineering overview of shaft functions for extra terminology.

By understanding these basics, inspecting the rubber mount often, and torquing every bolt properly, you can keep your Explorer Sport Trac riding smooth and extend the life of the entire driveline.