1996 Blazer Universal Joint Installation

The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer became known simply as the Blazer in 1996. This was due to Chevrolet changing the full size Blazer name to Tahoe for the 1996 model year. The 1996 Blazer was equipped with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine, capable of producing 190 horsepower and 250 torque-pounds. The 1996 Blazer base model was a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The degree of difficulty in removing and replacing the U-joint at the rear differential is determined by the amount of rust accumulated and the condition of the U-joint mounting holes on the drive shaft.

Instructions

1

Park the Blazer on a completely level surface. Raise the rear end of the Blazer with a jack. Place jack stands beneath both ends of the axle housing, as close to the the back of the wheels as you can get them. The wider the jack stands are apart, the lower your vehicle's center of gravity, thus the greater its stability.

2

Lay beneath the truck and slide yourself into position to access the U-joint. Remove the four bolts that hold the "U"-shaped clips onto the front yoke of the differential -- the differential is the gearbox between the two halves of your rear axle. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the bolts, adding an extension, if needed. Upon removing the second clip, place your hand beneath the drive shaft. Do not let the drive shaft fall freely to the ground. Remove the drive shaft end from the differential and set it gently onto the ground.

3

Remove the U-joint retainer clips from the drive shaft mounted U-joint ends, using a pair of needle-nose pliers. Pinch the center of the clips inward and twist them to remove them from the recesses in the drive shaft.

4

Insert a flat-head screwdriver onto the inner end of the U-joint bearing caps. Tap the handle of the screwdriver to push the bearing caps out of the drive shaft end. When the caps are out far enough to reach them from the outer side of the drive shaft, pull the caps off the U-joint and drive shaft with a pair of channel locks. Slide the U-joint body to one side of the drive shaft and pull the opposite side downward. Remove the U-joint completely from the drive shaft.

5

Remove the two bearing caps from the ends of the new U-joint -- they are directly across from one another. Place the caps with the opening facing straight upward, so as not to disturb the alignment of the rod bearings inside the cap.

6

Insert the new u-joint into the drive shaft. Place one end into the drive shaft mounting hole and push the U-joint to one side of the drive shaft. Push the other end of U-joint upward to align it with the second mounting hole. Center the U-joint in the drive shaft, using one hand. Install the bearing caps onto the ends of the U-joint by pushing them through the outside of the mounting hole onto the U-joint. Assist the caps in engaging the U-joint by pushing the body of the U-joint outward into the caps.

7

Install a large C-clamp around the U-joint end of the drive shaft, so that the screw spline end is pressed against one of the U-joint end caps. Turn the clamp to compress the bearing cap onto the U-joint completely. Install the U-joint retainer clip into the recesses provided in the drive shaft by pinching the center of the clip with the needle-nose pliers and inserting it within. Flip the C-clamp around and repeat this step to compress the other bearing cap onto the U-joint, then install the bearing clip.

8

Align the U-joint with the differential yoke. Install two "U"-shaped clips and tighten the mounting bolts to 60 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket.

9

Raise the truck off the jack stands, then remove the stands from beneath the Blazer. Lower the Blazer to the ground.