04 Cayenne Drive Shaft Bearing

[Borsche]

has anyone replaced a Cayenne Drive Shaft Bearing...?
Are there any tricks to making this job easier.?
Was is worth the savings or would you recomend R&R with new or rebuilt drive shaft...?
thanks,

[island911]

It's a PITA. . . but doable if you have the right tools.

On mine, I actually had problems getting the rear detached. ...which would need to be done for a swap.

I posted a thread on my adventure some where here.

here ... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cayenne/645350-drive-shaft-bearing-issue-dont-buy.html

[Borsche]

thanks for the feedback.
I almost ordered the one you recomend not to purchase.
dodged a bullet on that one.
thanks,

[Mike80911]

I just swapped mine out for a rebuilt from vertex it was $389 and comes with a one year warranty. I figured that my time to change the bearing was worth more than the savings. I think the bearing is over $100 so the real cost is about $289. If you do not mind all of the work and time involved change the bearing otherwise just swap out the shaft and drive another 80k miles.

[Borsche]

thanks for the feedback. I ordered the bearing at $95.00 then could not find anyone to separate the drive shaft. I tried three drive shaft shops, two machine shops, and one old school VW shop. So I returned the bearing and ordered the $386 shaft with new bearing and new flex disc. You are correct. Not worth the time or the energy to separate the shaft. Vertex is the best option at less than $400 from my point of view..

[turbo91188]

Has anyone used the new Drive Shaft Clamping Center Support device that Vertex sells? Their accompanying video documents installation of the newly designed bearing clamp. It's more expensive then their rebuilt shafts but they say the support will eliminate having to replace the bearing and support every 70K miles. Mine just hit 77K and it needs to be replaced. Allen

[Borsche]

I have not heard of anyone who used the replacement system.
I did a lot of checking and a lot of asking before I replaced my driveshaft with the rebuilt unit and no one used or recomende the replacement system... Good Luck.

[turbo91188]

I'm heading in the direction of the bearing support. I've done quite a bit of business with Vertex and have never been disappointed. I just cannot see replacing the drive shaft again at 140K. I'll provide feedback once purchased and installed.

[Borsche]

I was with you on not wanting to replace the whole drive shaft.
However, it was very easy to R&R.
Vertex was great to work with. Seamless exchange for the $150 core.
The rebuilt shaft and no charge flex disc cost me $421 total. Not bad compared to the $985.00 Porsche drive shaft. My wife got 116K miles out of her first bearing so i am not worried about another replacement.
Make sure you find the 12 point tool required to R&R the rear driveshaft bolts.. Not sure but I think it is a 12mm, 12 point ...
Good Luck.

[agp22]

Hi all

The car shakes when under load, and stops shaking when coasting or in neutral.

The vibration appears to come from the transmission, and increases on tight turns under load.

Could this come from the drive shaft bearing as described in this thread?

Many thanks

[Borsche]

Yes it could.
park the car in a way that you can crawl under the center.
push back and forth on the center of the drive-shaft next to the center support.
if it is bad it will most likely be obvious. If you see the drive shaft move free from the center support barring you have found your issue.
Good Luck...

[agp22]

Thanks for the clue Borsche.
Crawled underneath, pushed the driveshaft up and down, and feels very loose where the bearing stands. As if the bearing was a rubber band.
Do you think this is it?

[Borsche]

Absolutely.. That should be tight.
I had never heard of this going bad but apparently 70K miles is not uncommon.
My wife got 116K miles before hers went out.. It was immediate and without warning.
I ordered a rebuilt with a no charge flex disc from Vertex for a total of $421. after a $150 core.
The replacement was very easy once you have the correct tools..
Let me know if you need more info.....
Again, good luck.

[agp22]

Thanks a lot for the clue. Believe it or not, this car has only 29K miles on it.
I will now evaluate the options.