How to Replace Non-Serviceable U-Joints

The universal joints in your vehicle let the drive shaft move at an angle while transferring turning power between the transmission, drive shaft and rear axle. These joints might dry out after miles of service, causing the bearings inside the U-joints to rub against each other and their bearing caps. Once the U-joints become noisy, it is time to replace them. Experienced DIY mechanics can do the job at home and save on repair costs.

Instructions

Removing the U-Joints

1

Raise the front and rear wheel/tire assemblies using a floor jack. Support the vehicle with 2 jack stands at the front and rear.

2

Match and mark the rear yoke-mounting bracket on the rear of the drive shaft and the yoke-mounting flange on the rear axle to ensure you reinstall the drive shaft in the same position. The drive shaft is the long tube that goes from the rear of the transmission to the rear axle, which connects both rear wheels. Use a scratch awl tool to scribe the marks.

3

Unfasten the rear yoke from the mounting flange using a wrench. After removing the bolts, carefully push the drive shaft toward the transmission, just enough so the rear yoke clears the mounting flange. Lower the rear of the drive shaft a few inches, then pull the drive shaft off the transmission.

4

Remove the drive shaft from the vehicle. Place a drain pan under the rear of the transmission extension housing to catch any dripping oil. Plug the rear of the transmission with a clean, lint-free rag to prevent too much oil from draining out of the transmission.

5

Locate the cross-like components at each end of the drive shaft. These are the U-joints you want to replace. They allow the drive shaft to move freely as the car drives over uneven road terrain while rotating.

6

Remove the snap rings holding the u-joint caps to the yokes and shaft brackets, using a pair of snap ring pliers. On some models, the caps are held in place by a bearing cover that you can remove unscrewing the two mounting bolts with a wrench.

7

Place the drive shaft end you are working on in a vise. On one side, position a socket with a larger inside diameter than the bearing cap on the U-joint and another socket on the opposite end of the U-joint. This socket should have a smaller outside diameter than the bearing cap of the U-joint.

8

Slowly and carefully tighten the vise so the smaller socket pushes into the bearing cap, forcing the opposite bearing cap into the larger socket. Loosen the vise.

9

Perform the same procedure to remove the other two bearing caps on the two other arms of the U-joint cross, following steps 7 and 8.

10

Remove the U-joint from the other end of the drive shaft, if you need to replace it, following steps 6 through 9.

Installing the New U-Joint

11

Position the end of the drive shaft you will be working on in the vise. Place the new U-joint in the middle of the drive shaft bracket and the two new bearing caps that came with the U-joint on each side of the drive shaft bracket.

12

Place the larger socket you used previously on one side of the drive shaft bracket as well as against the new bearing cap. Place the smaller socket on the other end of the bracket, and against the other new bearing cap.

13

Slowly and carefully tighten the vise and make sure the sockets begin to push the bearing caps into the drive shaft bracket to hold the new U-joint in place.

14

Loosen the vise and secure the bearing caps in place with the new snap rings that came with your new U-joints, using the snap-ring pliers. Alternately, tighten the mounting bolts on the bearing cover with the wrench, if they come with your drive shaft.

15

Install the other two cap bearings on the other two sides of the U-joint you are working on to hold the rear yoke in place on the new U-joint, following steps 2 through 4 of this section.

16

Install the other new U-joint, if you are replacing it, following steps 1 through 5 of this section.

17

Reinstall the drive shaft in the car. Insert the slip yoke into the end of the transmission first. Align the two match marks on the rear yoke and mounting flange and tighten the mounting bolts using the wrench.

18

Lower your car off the jack stands and drive your vehicle to confirm the repair.