I'm thinking my Wildcat needs a new center bearing and maybe support. Problem is, they are really expensive from the only two places I can find them. CARS has them for $36 and 87.50 respectively. Classicbuicks.com is about twice that. I don't mind supporting the Buick Specialty Community, but I hate paying an enourmous amount for a common part that is known to other people. Specifically, searching for a center bearing (driveshaft) on AutoZone.com I come up with a Timken part X-908-CC that they do not carry and cannot come up with, and when searching partsamerica.com (Advance Auto) they come up with a BCA Bearings X908CC for $33.99, but no picture. I think that the center support will be a "specialty" item I will have to order, but can anyone confirm these numbers I came up with are right or wrong? Thanks,
As far as the bearing goes, once you get the old one out, clean it off to reveal the numbers on it. You should be able to get one at any bearing supply house. For my Riviera, I went to a local place in Mpls. called Gopher bearing. I'm sure if you look through the phone book you will find someone in your area that can match it perfectly. The center support for my car at least I was able to get through a local outfit that rebuilds drivelines. It cost me about $75.00. In the 80's and 90's I bought a couple of supports directly through a Buick dealer. The counter guy said they were still used on strech limos. But, the last time I needed one they weren't as helpful. I'm not sure if your car uses the same support and bearing as my Riv, but the part #'s off the boxes which I saved are. For the bearing: Federal Mogul #X908-CC which I see is the same bearing that Partsamerica.com listed for you. My box also says BCA on it. The center support was made by (or distributed by) Powertrain Industries, Part #3R80-10. Sometimes it's worth looking outside of the obvious suppliers of auto parts. Hope that is some help to you.
Dale, Thanks for the heads up. I googled PowerTrain Industries, and came up with this page that lists that exact number, 3R80-10, with an application for Buick and Caddy. Of course they list two for Buick, so it would not be as simple as ordering the only one they had. However, the only difference between the two they have for Buick is one's housing is one inch taller. So with this info, once I get the original one out, I should be able to handle this locally, which I prefer. Thanks for the heads up. Also, could you check out that link? Under 3R80-10, it states "Housing and Bearing Included". Does that read like all that I need is included? Thanks for the help!
Looks to me like they are giving you everything you need. The one I bought didn't include the bearing just a new retainer clip. Thanks for the link to them. Until last night I had never thought of looking them up on the web.
My '64 Buick service manual says that the one for the 4700 series(Riviera) is similar to the other full size but not quite the same. I can look and see if it gives part numbers. I don't need to replace any right now, but am interested in getting them for later. Don't need to pay more than needs to be.
64-68 Wildcat , Lesabre, Electra, Riv front center support bearing = GM# 904778 61-64 Wildcat-- Support, front support shaft center bearing = GM #7807531
Woot Dale, The 3R80-10 is indeed the correct mount for my car. I went to a driveshaft place in town, and they had one in stock. When they sold it to me they said it looked about 4 years old. It did not come with the center bearing, it was just the support. I paid $108 for it, compared with getting it from CARS in the $80 range. The way I figure it, after dealing with CARS and paying shipping, I'm just the same to support the local economy and have it today. I'm going to try to put it on this weekend. Follow the other thread in "Classic Buicks."
