Step-by-Step Rear U-Joint Replacement

The U-joints or universal joints in an automobile connect the drive shaft to the rear axle. When you place an automobile in gear, the transmission should connect to the drive shaft instantly. If you hear a clunking sound when you put the vehicle in gear, then there is play in the u-joint and you need to replace it. It takes about two hours to complete this project.

Instructions

1

Place a set of wheel chocks in front of the front wheels of the automobile. Raise the automobile on one side at the rear using the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the vehicle near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Lower the automobile jack so that the vehicle is resting on the jack stand. Repeat the process on the other side of the automobile so that the automobile is now resting on the two jack stands.

2

Make marks on the driveshaft at the front and rear yokes using the marking crayon. The yoke is the end of the drive shaft that looks like a U where the u-joint connects the parts. When you reassemble the driveshaft, it has to match with the yoke the same way it came off. Disconnect the rear universal joint by removing the retaining ring with the snap ring pliers. Tape the bearing caps in place if they are loose so that the bearings do not drop out.

3

Slide the driveshaft forward to disengage it from the rear axle flange if this is a single-piece driveshaft. Pull the driveshaft toward the rear to disconnect it from transmission slip-joint while passing it under the axle housing. Slide the rear half of the driveshaft forward to disconnect it from the rear axle flange if the driveshaft is a two-piece shaft. Pull the rear half of the shaft toward the rear to disconnect it from the slip-joint.

4

Remove the center support bearing using a socket and ratchet. Slide the front section of the driveshaft toward the rear of the vehicle to disconnect it from the transmission and from under the automobile. Remove the snap rings from the u-joint using the snap ring pliers. Place the end of the driveshaft over a pipe and use the u-joint press to push the u-joint out of the driveshaft yoke.

5

Insert a new u-joint into the driveshaft yoke. Use the u-joint press to install the universal joint into the yoke. Install new snap rings using the snap ring pliers to secure the u-joint to the shaft. Insert the front section of the driveshaft into the transmission slip-joint. Install the center support bearing and tighten the bolts using a socket and ratchet for the two-piece driveshaft. Be sure to line up the matchmarks when you reinstall the shaft.

6

Install the rear section of the driveshaft into the slip-joint of the front half of the driveshaft and then into the rear axle flange for the two-piece shaft. Install the single piece shaft into the transmission slip-joint and then pull it toward the rear in order to connect it to the rear axle flange. Be sure to line up the matchmarks when you install the driveshaft. Install the snap rings into the universal joint to secure it using the snap ring pliers.

7

Raise one side of the vehicle and remove the jack stand from under the automobile. Lower that side of the vehicle to the ground and repeat the process on the other side to remove the jack stand there.