Hi, hoping there's someone out there with some insight on this.

'01 TL w/ the 5AT.

I've been getting this weird thrumming noise while moving that gets louder the faster I go.

Mechanic says I need a new "carrier bearing" -- and that it's a part that was only ever used in a handful of cars and was discontinued five years ago.

He wants $200 to replace it, including labor.

Does that sound right? Am I getting ripped off?

Thanks.

 

wheel bearings?
i wouldnt have him work on it unless he is POSITIVE.
it doesnt sound like he is POSITIVE on the diagnosis, as he sounds like his throwing parts at the problem on your dime.

 

Id find a new mechanic, or have him tell you exactly what is wrong. There is either a wheel bearing or the intermediate shaft bearing. Neither of which were only used in a hand full of cars nor discontinued.

 

Your "Mechanic" doesn't have a single clue.. Get a new mechanic or shop.

 

I'll play the devil's advocate. It sounds like your mechanic is using a term that's been around a while. It's also called a midship bearing. He didn't indicate that it might be the bearing, he said it IS the bearing. In response to fstty, he did tell him exactly what is wrong, he just used old school terminology. While I wouldn't say they were used on a handful of cars, I see way more cars that don't use that setup than do. I sure wouldn't change mechanics over a terminology issue. Get a second opinion if you have doubts, but make whoever you choose understand that if their diagnosis and repair doesn't fix it, it will be free. This is a reasonable demand, as isolating a center bearing from a wheel bearing is pretty straight forward. Caveat: I've been an ase certified master mechanic for over 40 years, and may have called it a carrier bearing, even on a front wheel drive car on occasion.

 

Thanks to all for the input so far. I will say that before my mechanic even looked at it, he mentioned it might be a wheel bearing. Evidently after inspection he decided it was not. Regardless, you've given me enough doubt that I will definitely go seek a second opinion before getting this done.

 

Problem is is if he is going to say whats wrong he needs to use the correct terminology. If we were dealing with a rwd 2 piece driveshaft calling it would make sense as that is what it would be called. On a fwd like ours that bearing isnt considered a mid midship or carrier, its called an intermediate shaft. If it is infact the intermediate shaft/carrier bearing its still not a hard replacement or a hard one to get. 200 in labor with the part isnt a bad price, but i would make sure that is the problem. I havent seen too many of them fail.