Disassembly and Assembly

Driveshaft Universal Joint - Snap Ring Type

Special Tools:

Material:

Disassembly
1. Remove the driveshaft.

2. CAUTION: Do not, under any circumstance, clamp the driveshaft assembly in the jaws of a vise or similar holding fixture. Denting or localized fracturing may result, causing driveshaft failure during vehicle operation.

Place the driveshaft on a suitable workbench. Do not damage the tube.





3. NOTE: If the components are not marked and therefore installed incorrectly, driveshaft imbalance can occur.

Index-mark, the driveshaft components.





4. Remove and discard all 4 of the snap rings.





5. Place the special tool in a vise.





6. NOTE: If necessary, use a pair of pliers to remove a bearing cup that fails to press out all the way.

Remove the bearing cups and the driveshaft slip yoke.
1. Position the driveshaft slip yoke in the special tool.
2. Press out a bearing cup.
3. Rotate the driveshaft slip yoke 180 degrees.
4. Press on the U-joint spider to remove the remaining bearing cup.
5. Remove the driveshaft slip yoke.





7. Repeat steps to remove the remaining bearing cups and the U-joint spider from the driveshaft yoke.





8. NOTE: Inspect the bearing cup bores and retaining ring grooves. Remove any rust or other surface irregularities.

Inspect the bearing cup bores of the driveshaft slip yoke and driveshaft yoke. Make sure that the bearing cup bores are clean and smooth.

Assembly





1. NOTE: Install the Universal Joint Kits as complete assemblies only. Do not mix components from other Universal Joint Kits.

NOTE: Lubricate the driveshaft slip yoke and driveshaft yoke bearing cup bores with grease before installing the bearing cups.

Install a new U-joint spider and bearing cup.
1. Start a new bearing cup in the driveshaft yoke.
1. Check the needle bearings for correct positioning.
2. Position the new U-joint spider in the driveshaft yoke.
3. Press the bearing cup to just below the snap ring groove.





2. CAUTION: Never mix yellow and black snap rings on opposing sides.

Remove the shaft from the special tool and install a new yellow snap ring.
3. Repeat steps to install the new bearing cup and snap ring on the opposite side of the driveshaft yoke.
^ If the yellow snap ring will not seat in the snap ring groove, install the black snap rings.





4. Install the driveshaft slip yoke and new bearing cup.
1. Align the index marks made during disassembly and install the driveshaft slip yoke on the U-joint spider.
2. Start a new bearing cup in the driveshaft slip yoke.
^ Check the needle bearings for correct positioning.
3. Position the assembly in the special tool.
4. Press the bearing cup to just below the snap ring groove.





5. Remove the driveshaft from the special tool and install a new yellow snap ring.

6. CAUTION: Never mix yellow and black snap rings on opposing sides.

Repeat steps to install the new bearing cup and snap ring on the opposite side of the driveshaft slip yoke.
^ If the yellow snap ring will not seat in the snap ring groove, install the black snap rings.





7. CAUTION: Do not strike the bearings.

A sharp rap on the driveshaft yoke with a brass or plastic hammer will seat the bearing cups.





8. Rotate the driveshaft yoke to make sure the universal Joints are free to rotate easily, without binding, before installing the driveshaft.
9. Install the driveshaft.