Driveshaft Center Support

[MPD280]

I've done a search and I realize that I may want to consider a swap to a one piece shaft but for now I need to replace the completely destroyed bearing that was in my truck. I have actually done the replacement but I think I did something wrong. The unattached metal shield is rattling and rotating freely, and while the truck is driving fine the noise is aggravating. I'm afraid I may have installed in incorrectly or have it on the wrong side of the bearing.
I installed it on the front/transmission side of the bearing based on a couple of YouTube videos I could find. The bearing is a Timken HBD206FF.
Also, I likely did not install the yoke back onto the bearing. Dumb I know, but I'm new to this mechanic thing and sometimes do dumb things. Vibration is gone, just noise that gets annoying. Surely the replacement bearing is not designed to be so distracting. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

 

[Andy D]

The center bearing is shot on the Rat. When I had the rear shaft off to R+R the clutch, I "fixed" the dry bearing by re-packing it. The only trouble is that the rubber mount is loose inside the steel cover. I re-packed the bearing and loaded it to take up its internal wear. If I dont drive easy and smoove , then it bunks and clunks. I intend to take up the space with something. Quick and dirty, maybe a strip of white oak about 1/4 - 3/16 thick the width of the mount and sized to fit between the bolts mounting the unit to the cross member. That is my CSB saga.

You should be able to tell how the bearing goes on. The new one may have even come with directions. If not , I'm sure you could find a parts diagram of the assembly on the interwebz.

 

[MPD280]

Trust me, I looked. I have been repairing stuff on this truck for a few months now coming from a complete and utter lack of mechanical ability and experience. Instructions are crucial. This support didn't come with any. I even had the guys in the parts store pull a couple more and checked them for any.
I ended up taking the bearing off and putting it on with the plate to the rear of the vehicle. The yoke essentially keeps it in place and the noise is gone. If I didn't line the shaft and yoke up as it was previously, it doesn't seem to have made any difference. No vibration at all. Truck runs smoother than I can ever remember.
Made it to work today without the drive shaft coming apart on me, so that is a plus in my book.

 

[Andy D]

The best manuals are the Ford shop manuals. At least that is what I've been told. The Haynes manual makes for good reading, but didnt help much when I R+Red the clutch.