Possible to not have a carrier bearing?

[bschm50693]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and have enjoyed all the information everyone provides. I've read a lot about the drive line shudder from the carrier bearing that so many have experienced. I am experiencing a slight shudder that I'm trying to find the source of. I went to check the carrier bearing and see if mine is shimmed and couldn't see what I would call a carrier bearing. I've got a 2000 F-250 extended cab, short bed, 4x4 with no lift that seems to have a one piece drive shaft. It goes straight from the transfer case to the rear diff. Are there any F-250's that do not have a carrier bearing or am I mistaken as to what one actually is?

By the way, I've only noticed the shudder when starting out and making a right or left turn, usually up a hill. It shudders just a little worse with a heavy load. It doesn't have a problem pulling up a hill in a straight line from a stop. Engine power feels real good and the truck accelerates without any trouble when I ask it to, even when shuddering. I can't feel any real evidence of transmission slipping and I just changed the tranny fluid and filter, both looked good with no real amount of metal in the pan, just a thin film of grey sludge, especially around the drain magnet (probably extremely fine metal particles). The truck has 105k on it, pretty sure everything is original and there are no real power adders other than straight pipe exhaust.

Any thoughts or should I just ignore it? Thanks in advance!

[01psdually]

I could be wrong but there should only be a carrier bearing with a 2 piece driveshaft. I have one on my crew cab long bed.

[Rob]

i believe the manufacturer uses the carrier bearing in the longer models such as the crew cab short bed, or long bed to help support the longer driveshafts. i dont know if the supercabs have them or not , so yes it is possible to have a truck w/out the carrier bearing.

[01psdually]

I am not a 4 wheel drive guy but it may be something in the hubs, I would not ignore it. I am sure someone with more info will post. Good luck.