1988 camry le 2.0 driveshaft
 

I have a 1988 camry le 2.0 that has center driveshaft support bearing noise. Started as a dull slow thud when turning right. Now it's a full blown, fast, repeating banging at all times (increases in tempo as I accelerate) except turning left. There was a 1/4 inch side to side play between the center drive shaft (intermediate shaft) and the support bracket.

I pulled the cv off the passenger side and then removed the retaining clip and lock bolt and pulled the drive shaft out with almost no effort. I think the support bracket and clip are completely worn out. The center shaft itself is in good shape. No abnormal wear. Teeth are in good shape. The support bracket itself doesn't look bad but it is hard to see if it is worn irregularly.

I installed a 1 piece cv axle but had to use the old retaining clip as I can't find that or the support (carrier bearing) anywhere. It helped a bit. Less noise. Quieter. Not nearly as aggressive. But still there.

I love this car and would like to fix it. If anyone has experience with this problem or has any idea where to find a new carrier bearing and retaining clip please let me know. Or perhaps is the bushing inside the support bracket serviceable? A local driveline company told me to go to a junk yard. There is 1 same model year camry in a 100 miles away at a scrap yard. Is it worth the time to go see if it's even useable? Seems likely that it would be worn as well.

Sorry for the book. However I've reached my wits end with this and need some solid ideas. Thank you!

The bearing support bracket is worn out? Would be unusual for the bracket to wear out from play. Was the original bearing loose in the mount (not locked down)? Did the bearing freeze up and start to spin?

Would check scrape yard unit out.

A decent machine shop may be able to repair your part.

That's why I consider Toyota to be the greatest car makers of all time, this Camry of your is literally a fossil and it still drives. Respect! Not so long ago I was struggling to scrap car without logbook as I had lost it. Only one scrap yard agreed to help me with that in a legal way. The others were willing to take the car off my hands but for a much lower price and breaking the law. As I was not willing to give my car away for free almost and didn't want to have trouble with the law I kept searching and came accross scrapy.