I was afraid I'd need to chuck the k&n. It's funny as heck, I tell my buddies what I am hearing on these forums and they defend that k&n 100%! They don't really want to hear that they don't filter as well as others do(obviously because they have them in their vehicles). I mostly drive my truck on oiled roads but I take it up hunting and fishing on dirt roads frequently. It's not like I'm off roading or anything, but letting dirt into the cylinders makes me cringe.
It would have helped to do a little research first! That K&N is gone.
Thanks Marc, and I'll let you know what I find out about this support bearing. I am sure I will have to shim it like you said but that old bearing just looks and feels really worn out. And what's to say that the new one won't eventually do the same thing. Can I shim it while it's assembled or do I have to take the drive line off?