Assembly Procedure

Remove the bearing cups from the universal joint.
Assemble 1 bearing cup part way into 1 side of the yoke.
Turn the yoke ear toward the bottom.
Assemble the cross into the yoke so the trunnion seats freely into the bearing cup.
With the trunnion seated in the bearing cup, press the bearing cup into the yoke until the bearing cup is flush with the yoke ear.

Fig 1: Removing Bearing Cups From Universal Joint - Nylon Injected Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Assemble the opposite bearing cup part way into the yoke ear.
Ensure that the trunnions start straight and true into both bearing cups.
Press the opposite bearing cup into the yoke ear while working the cross all the time in order to inspect for a free unbinding movement of the trunnions in the bearing cups.
Important: If there seems to be a hang up or binding, stop pressing, and inspect the needle bearings for misalignment in the bearing cup.
Press the bearing cup into the yoke until the bearing retainer groove clears the inside of the yoke.

Fig 2: Assembling Opposite Bearing Cup Part Way Into Yoke Ear - Nylon Injected Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Assemble the bearing retainer in the retainer groove.
Continue pressing until you can snap both retainers into place.

Fig 3: Assembling Bearing Retainer In Retainer Groove - Nylon Injected Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
If seating the retainer is difficult, spring the yoke slightly with a firm blow from a dead blow hammer.
It may be necessary to lubricate the snap ring with a slight amount of chassis grease so the snap ring seats in the bearing cup groove.

Fig 4: Springing Yoke Slightly With Firm Blow From Dead Blow Hammer - Nylon Injected Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.