Below guide will teach you How to Replace a U-Joint . Please follow the instructions carefully.
Things You’ll Need:
- Combination Wrench Set
- Bench Vise
- Press Machine
- Socket and Ratchet Set
- Standard Hammer
- 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
- U Joint
- White out
Estimated Costs:
- DIY Costs: Est. $27.34 parts only
- Shop Costs: Est. $253.60 parts and labor
Image may not be specific to your car
Instructions:
- Park the vehicle on a flat surface.
- With the help of floor jack, lift the vehicle up.
- In order to ensure your safety while working under the vehicle, prop up the vehicle on the jack stands.
- Draw a mark on the driveshaft and companion flange to ensure that you will be able to reassemble them with a proper driveshaft balance.
- Detach the U-bolts or U-clamps holding the rear U-joint against the pinion flange. Secure the loosing bearing cups by wrapping tape around them.
- Slide the driveshaft in the backward direction to take it out of the transmission.
- Carefully examine the yoke seal. If it is damaged, replace it.
- Now you have to hold the driveshaft in a strong bench vise in order to take the snag rings out. In the front, snag rings hold the bearings in the slip yoke while hold the bearings in the driveshaft both in front and rear.
- Make use of assorted sockets and push the bearing cups out of the yoke. Similarly, press out the driveshaft with the help of large bench vise. When you close the vice, the smaller socket will press the bearing from one side and the larger socket will help the bearing to move out on the other side.
- Using a pair of pliers, pull the bearing by moving the U-joint in the opposite direction. By moving the U-joint in opposite direction, you can access the bearings easily. Repeat the process to get rid of all the bearings.
- Once the bearings are removed, take the U-joint out of the driveshaft and yoke by pulling it.
- Wipe off all the dirt and other contaminants from the yoke and driveshaft.
- Now you need to start with reinstalling the bearing caps. First put in one bearing cap into the side of yoke.
- Next, you need to insert the U-joint into the bearing cap. Put in another cap likewise. Straighten the U-joint and push the bearings caps so that they take their position. But while applying pressure, make sure that the seals and needle bearings don’t get damage.
- The next step is to reinstall the snag rings. Using hammer to tap the driveshaft and yoke gently, you will be able to position the snag rings in the groove properly.
- Align the driveshaft and front yoke in a way the splines of both come in line with transmission shaft’s splines.
- Now you have to make sure that driveshaft and flange are in line, using the reference marks you draw earlier. Once they both are in line, tighten them with U-bolts or U-clamps.
- Apply grease to the joint. Don’t apply to much grease to the joint as it may harm the grease seals.
- Your repair work has completed. Now take a small drive to make sure that everything is functioning properly.
