Noise coming from drive shaft

[Kiajet52]

2001 Sportage, 2wd 2.0 DOHC auto tranny.

Got a noise coming from the drive shaft. I have it narrowed down to the center driveshaft bearing and the rear output shaft on the tranny.

The noise sounds like bearing failure (harsh road noise at speeds above 30 mph)

Anybody here had this same problem?

Is the drive shaft bearing more likely to be the problem?

Any idea what those cost?

[hvac1000]

Call KiA for the price unless Auto Zone sells the bearig. The center bearin does go out and I suggest while you have it apart that you also replace the universal joints.

[Kiajet52]

How is center support bearing removed from the drive shaft? It looks like one piece. I'll cut and re-weld the DS before buying a new one.

I called Kia and they have the bearing for $88.

[REALfreaky]

I'm not sure if you're still reading this topic, but hopefully it will help someone...

I don't know about the 2001 model, but the 2000 model's driveshaft bearing was super easy to replace.
I have the 2WD version as well, and if we're talking about the same bearing, then it is very easy. All you need to do is remove the four bolt that connect the front driveshaft to the rear (it's after the bearing). Then just disconnect them by pulling on the rear driveshaft. After that remove the two bolts that keep the bearing in place and u should be able to pull out the whole thing from the transmission. Take it to a machineshop to have them get the bearing off of it.

[Harry Morgan]

RF -- just an "FYI" here:

I have an 02 Conv (2wd) and about a year ago I somehow managed to whizz a bunch of transmission fluid out of the rear of the transmission near the splined pigtail that connects to the dirve shaft... had to add about 2 quarts of fluid to get it going again. The interesting thing is that it's been fine ever since by doing nothing else.

The reason I'm posting here is that shortly after the issue occurred, I took it to a local tranny-only fix-it place to have it checked out and they first said I most likely needed a new rear seal and pigtail. A day or so later they called me and said that for this make/model you can not buy just the pigtail -- you need to buy the entire driveshaft ($800 !!!)... I never did take it to the dealer, since the problem has never happened again in the last 30k miles or so.

Harry

[kiasport]

I think you fixed it by realligning the pig tail. I have the same problem I replaced all u joints and the support bearing. When I re installed the driveshaft the vibrations was worst. What I did is I took the shaft out again and re installed it and the vibrations still there but not as bad.

[Baratacus]

Usually a driveshaft is ballanced much like your wheels are ballanced. Any imperfections or weight inconsistancys are ballanced out after the shaft has been assembled. If you pull the shaft and replace the support bearing you risk unballancing the drive shaft. You should have that done at a shop that can ballance the shaft to prefent harmonic vibrations or you'll end up destroying your U-joints, tranny and differential.

[bltzmystr]

hi also have a noise from driveshaft area ( rear) installed new support bearing with all the trimings ( parts from kia).last one blew apart on road. now have bad clunking noise when accell forward no noise in reverse. no clunking when cruise then acell. seems like good clearance between u-joint and cross member. ( after replaceing grommets and such.) help! please