How to Change a Rear Universal Joint on a 1996 Ford Ranger

A universal joint failure on a 1996 Ford Ranger generally occurs due to lack of maintenance, such as the failure to grease the bearings in the universal joint. Replacing the joint is not as complicated as it is physically demanding. The bearing cups for the universal joint are pressed in and must by beaten or pressed out; this doesnt require special tools. The universal bearings should be greased during every oil change.

Instructions

1

Block the front wheels. Raise the rear of the truck and place jack stands under the axle tubes. Lower the truck so that it rests on the jack stands. Remove the four universal joint-to-pinion yoke bolts, using the 12 mm, 12-point wrench.

2

Pry the universal joint away from the pinion yoke with the screwdriver. Place the drain pan under the transmission tail housing. Pull the driveshaft out of the transmission. Place the rear yoke on the driveshaft over the block of wood, with the yoke hanging off the end of the block.

3

Use the needle-nose pliers to squeeze the snap ring above the universal bearing. Place the screwdriver under the depressed snap ring and pry it out of the groove in the yoke above the bearing cap. Rotate the drive shaft and do the same for the opposite bearing cap.

4

Spray all four universal bearing caps liberally with rust penetrant. Place the drift, pipe or socket over the top of the bearing cap. Hammer the top bearing cap down, which will force the lower bearing cap out of the yoke.

5

Rotate the driveshaft so that the lower part of the yoke, with the hole vacated by the bearing cap just removed is now facing up, and the bearing cap is on the bottom. Place the universal center-bearing arm into the lower bearing cap. Place the tool being used to remove the bearing caps on the top of the center arm. Hammer the lower bearing cap out. Repeat this process for the remaining two bearings.

6

Remove a bearing cap carefully from the new universal. Always check to make sure the bearings are standing straight up around the inside walls of the bearing cap. Install the bearings and universal center in the solid yoke on the driveshaft. Hold the bearing cap with the hole up and place it in the bottom hole on the driveshaft yoke. Press it in as far as possible, by hand. Make sure it stays in place.

7

Remove the rest of the bearing caps on the new universal joint and lay them bearing-side-up. Lay the driveshaft on the ground, with the closed end of the bearing cap on the ground. Place the universal end in the center of the two bearing holes and lower one of the arms into the lower bearing cap. Make sure that the bearings do not fall, because they will be crushed when the hammering begins. Hold the universal in the lower bearing cap and hammer the driveshaft down over the bearing cap until it is at least 80 percent seated.

8

Hold the center section of universal in the bearing cap as the driveshaft is rotated so that the empty bearing hole is now on the lower side. Push the bearing into the hole as much as possible. Hold the center universal up in the upper bearing cap and hammer the driveshaft down on the lower cap. Make sure the center section enters the lower bearing cap without displacing the upright roller bearings. At this point, over 70 percent of both bearing caps will be pressed into the driveshaft yoke, and the center section of the universal should have both ends partially in the bearing caps.

9

Hammer either one of the bearing caps in the rest of the way, using the driving tool and hammer. Beat them in until the snap ring groove can be plainly seen above the bearing cap. Install the snap ring above both bearing caps. Do the same process for the outer two bearing caps on the swivel pinion flange.

10

Install the small grease fittings that accompany the new universal joint, using a wrench. Grease the bearings with the grease gun. Insert the driveshaft into the transmission tail housing. Lift the rear of the driveshaft and place the rear universal joint and flange on the pinion flange. Install the four 12 mm bolts and tighten them with the 12-point wrench. Lower the truck.