2011 ford f150 drive shaft center support bearing replacement

Just got stuck on the road after a loud clunking and vibration (and very slow crawl to nearby dealer) revealed the carrier bearing was gone from the driveshaft. Part is 4-5 days out, so dealer dropped the driveshaft, leaving me a front wheel drive truck, to make it 25 miles home (through the snow). This is a 2011 Ecoboosted F150 crew cab with 6.5ft box, trailer tow package and 75k miles. Anyone else have this problem? I have a call into Ford customer care to get some help with it. I don't think a 2 year old truck should have these kinds of problems. I only tow a boat that is <5,000# and a single axle enclosed trailer that is rated at 3,500#. Mostly highway miles. Other than this and some premature rust on a front bumper- love the truck.

Never heard an issue like this. What conditions were you driving in? speed? Towing? Any performance mods?

The center carrier bearing fell off?
Or did it just fail?

I've heard of the rubber bushings wearing out, but nothing as catastrophic sounding as this.

Not towing at the time. short highway trip of about 5 miles after some around town driving. No performance or any other mods- no lift kit; stock tires, etc.

Part still not in. 1 week delivery! Talked with the dealership service guy today, and apparently Ford will help with cost, although how much I don't know yet. Ford has not contacted me yet. I now have a front wheel drive truck, but not driving it.

Here is a pic of the bearing.

Ah ok. Bushing failure.
That drive shaft looks diseased, what have you been driving through? Nuclear waste? Lol

Ah ok. Bushing failure. That drive shaft looks diseased, what have you been driving through? Nuclear waste? Lol

Wow that looks bad, literally looks like nuclear waste.

Not towing at the time. short highway trip of about 5 miles after some around town driving. No performance or any other mods- no lift kit; stock tires, etc. Part still not in. 1 week delivery! Talked with the dealership service guy today, and apparently Ford will help with cost, although how much I don't know yet. Ford has not contacted me yet. I now have a front wheel drive truck, but not driving it.

Shouldn't this be a warranty repair? I would also not be happy driving it as a front wheel drive. I would push for a loaner and insist for one for a warranty repair.

Shouldn't this be a warranty repair? I would also not be happy driving it as a front wheel drive. I would push for a loaner and insist for one for a warranty repair.

He's at 75k though.

Sent while enjoying a Pabst

Wow that looks bad, literally looks like nuclear waste.

Salt and snow of Central New York in January.

I agree that this type of repair should be warranty, regardless of 75k miles. I wonder if the driveshaft/ bearing were not (re)designed to handle the higher torque of the EcoBoost. This truck has not worked hard, and I expect better durability from what is essentially just a steel tube hung from the frame. I suppose I will find out more when the part comes in and I get back to the dealer to fix it. Hoping for a call back from the Ford customer care center before then.

Ah ok. Bushing failure.
That drive shaft looks diseased, what have you been driving through? Nuclear waste? Lol

LMAO You don't know? Flatlanders don't know how to drive so they have to use ten times the normal amount of salt on the roads to keep them clear.
Out west all they use is sand and people learn how to drive on it. Spent time in Montana while in the Air Force.

I agree that this type of repair should be warranty, regardless of 75k miles. I wonder if the driveshaft/ bearing were not (re)designed to handle the higher torque of the EcoBoost. This truck has not worked hard, and I expect better durability from what is essentially just a steel tube hung from the frame. I suppose I will find out more when the part comes in and I get back to the dealer to fix it. Hoping for a call back from the Ford customer care center before then.

Could have been the seal failed allowing road grim in!

My son has a 2010 F150 crew cab 4wd. Bought new. Has had carrier bearing replaced twice. Currently 60,000 km on vehicle.
Last replsced at 55,000 km & now has vibration agein. Has to go in the shop to check on friday. This is a very common problem here. The last time in shop with this problem, 8 other vehicles in that day for same problem, and this is only a small city, 100,000 population.

TSB 13-3-13

03/26/13

VIBRATION/THUMP/CLUNK NOISE UNDER VEHICLE - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 1/16/2012

FORD:
2009-2012 F-150

This article supersedes TSB 13-2-13 to update the warranty causal part number.

ISSUE
Some 2009-2012 F-150 vehicles built on or before 1/16/2012 may exhibit a vibration, thump or clunk noise from under the vehicle that may be more noticeable with increased road speed and driveline torque.

ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Inspect the rubber bonded joint of the driveshaft center support bearing for signs of separating from the canister sleeve. (Figure 1)

2. Is the rubber bonded joint separating from the canister sleeve?

a. Yes - replace driveshaft assembly. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-01.

b. No - this article does not apply. Refer to WSM, Section 205-01 for normal diagnostics.

Parts Block

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

130313A 2009-2012 F-150: Inspect 0.5 Hr.
And Replace The
Driveshaft Assembly (Do
Not Use With Any Other
Labor Operations)

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
4R602 01

Just had my truck in for this TSB this morn. My center bearing is separating but no clunk. Still replacing shaft under warranty. A1 in my mind. Had a guy do the floors in my house with a 2010. He bought it with over 200k kms on it and his center bearing came apart was too late ford wouldn't cover it. Probably didn't even tell him about the TSB as it was too late for diagnosis.

Well I got a nice bright shiny new driveshaft under the truck! And boy you can definitely feel the smooth transition in power over the harsh stuffiness from before.