Good morning all,

Changing the centre bearing is a very easy job. Low range can be engaged with hubs out, BUT only for what you say of backing a trailer up a steep drive.

Q1 :Isn't hard at all. Just make sure that you mark each component in relation to the next ,so that it all goes back in original alignment.
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Q2: Yes you can, but I would think that a couple of extra steps towards the front of your vehicle & engaging your hubs before you launch/retrieve your boat wouldn't be too hard, and make the whole operation easier,quicker & safer.
If it is ,then best you leave the centre bearing alone.

Hi there Stephen Q1 the centre bearing is a piece of cake to change just mark your tail shafts befor you unbolt them so you dont though them out of balance from origanal unbolt the bearing housing you may need to press the bearing off but a gental tap should get the new on 1 oh and also mark position of the sharft going into gear box befor you take that off to good luck
Q2 you would be better off locking in ya hubs befor you pull boat out as you will have to get out later an tie boat down so why noy risk it in the 1st place unless you a lazy ass an get others to tie boat down in that case get them to lock hubs in an out 4 you too ha ha ha....
catch ya