Disassembly Procedure

Important:  Nylon injected ring universal joints cannot be reassembled. Replace nylon injected ring universal joints with external snap ring universal joints.

When reassembling a propeller shaft, always install a complete propeller shaft universal joint service kit.

This kit includes the following component:

• One pre-greased spider (1)
• Four service bearing caps with seals (2)
• One needle roller bearing (3)
• Delrin round washers (4)
• Delrin flat washers (5)
• Grease
• Four retainer rings (6)

Fig 1: Disassembling Spider Assembly

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Ensure that the seals are in place on the service bearing caps (2) during handling. The seals will hold the needle roller bearings (3) in place during handling.

Important:  There are no bearing retainer grooves in production bearing caps. Production bearing caps cannot be reused.

1. Support the propeller shaft in a horizontal position that is aligned with the base plate of a press.
2. Place the universal joint so that the lower ear of the shaft yoke is supported on a 28.6 mm (1.125 in) socket.
3. Perform the following procedure in order to remove the lower bearing cap from the yoke ear:
   1. 3.1. Place the J 9522-3 on the open horizontal bearing cap.
   2. 3.2. Press the lower bearing cap out of the yoke ear.

      This process shears the nylon injected ring on the lower bearing cap.

   Fig 2: Placing J 9522-3

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. If the bearing cap (1) is not completely removed, perform the following steps in order to completely remove the bearing cap:
   1. 4.1. Lift the J 9522-3
   2. 4.2. Insert the J 9522-5 between the seal and the bearing cap (1).
   3. 4.3. Press the bearing cap (1) out of the yoke.
   Fig 3: Removing Bearing Cap

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Rotate the propeller shaft.
   1. 5.1. Repeat Step 3 in order to shear the opposite nylon injected ring.
   2. 5.2. Repeat Step 4 in order to remove the opposite bearing cap from the yoke.
6. If the front universal joint is being replaced, perform the above procedure in order to remove the two bearing caps from the propeller shaft slip yoke.
7. Remove the trunnion (1) from the yoke.
   Fig 4: Removing Trunnion

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Clean the yoke in the area that will hold the retainer ring in order to ensure proper assembly.
9. Clean all of the sheared nylon from the universal joint cup bore.

   Important:  Do not loosen or damage the dust seals. If the dust seals are loose or damaged, replace the entire universal joint.

   Important:  These universal joints are designed for extended life and do not require periodic inspections or lubrication.

   When the these joints are taken apart, repack the bearing. Lubricate the reservoir at the end of the trunnions with chassis lubricant or linkage joint lubricant.

10. Remove the u-joint trunnion bearing retainer rings (6). If the retainer ring does not disengage from the grooves, lightly tap the end of the bearing cap (2) in order to relieve the pressure against the retainer ring. After relieving the pressure, remove the retainer ring.
11. Support the propeller shaft in a horizontal position that aligns with the base plate of a press.
12. Place the universal joint so the ear of the joke is supported on a 28.6 mm (1.125 in) socket.
13. Use the following procedure in order to remove the lower bearing cap from the yoke ear:
    1. 13.1. Place the J 9522-3 on the open horizontal bearing cap.
    2. 13.2. Press the lower bearing cap out of the yoke ear.
    Fig 5: Removing Lower Bearing Cap

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. If the bearing cap (1) is not completely removed, use the following steps in order to completely remove the bearing cap:
    1. 14.1. Lift the J 9522-3.
    2. 14.2. Insert the J 9522-5 between the seal and the bearing cap (1).
    3. 14.3. Press the bearing cap (1) out of the yoke.
    Fig 6: Pressing Bearing Cap Out Of Yoke

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
15. Rotate the propeller shaft.
16. Press the opposite bearing cap out of the yoke.
17. Remove the trunnion from the yoke.