Clean '88 245 Automatic. No collisions, undercoated and very little rust. I'm grateful - I bought this silver brick via the BB Classads about a yr ago. Now it's my daily driver, but making that drivetrain clunk, softly.

I checked u-jts, all seem tight. But the drive shaft carrier rubber ring is so shrunken? or crushed or distorted? that there is enough space I can push it upward at least 1/4" before it hits the floor pan. The rubber isn't deteriorated, the steel bracket looks undamaged, and the bearing looks like a working old bearing - tight on the shaft and a little dirty.

The car sat for a yr before I bought it, and it was driven only a few weeks per year for 2 yrs before that. Could the big rubber bearing holder ring have gotten fatigued and distorted, i.e. flattened downwards? Uh oh, could it have been a replacement with low quality, short-lived cheap Indian rubber parts which we are warned to stay away from here on the BB?
I bought from FCP a rubber ring only (made in India) plus a complete carrier bearing kit (made in Denmark). Does anyone know who makes long lasting rubber, for this and for trans & engine mounts?

Bentley 240 Manual makes it look straightforward to replace. I'm going to have to do the same on my '89 245 5-speed. The rubber ring on it is not well supported by the spring and washer. Sooner rather than later.

When I'm doing the carrier bearing it makes sense to combine relacing the U-joints.... but maybe they don't need replacing and I should put my time and $ into another part of the car? Anyone? a good brand or source for U-joints?
Thanks in advance.

DogsrGood