Disassembly Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 2003 GMC Envoy, and 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Never clamp propeller shaft tubing in a vise. Clamping could dent or deform the tube causing an imbalance or unsafe condition. Always clamp on one of the yokes and support the shaft horizontally.
Avoid damaging the slip yoke sealing surface.
Nicks may damage the bushing or cut the lip seal.
- Support the propeller shaft in a line horizontal with the table of a press.
- Mark the propeller shaft as to which end is the transmission end and which end goes to the rear axle.
- Place the universal joint so that the lower ear of the yoke is supported on a 30 mm (1 1/8 in) socket.
- In order to shear the plastic retaining ring on the bearing cup, place J 9522-3 on the open horizontal bearing cups. Press the lower bearing cup out of the yoke ear.
- If you do not completely remove the bearing cup, lift the cross and insert J 9522-5 between the seal and the bearing cup you are removing. Continue to press the bearing cup out of the yoke.
- Rotate the propeller shaft. Press the opposite bearing cup out of the yoke.
- Mark the orientation of the slip yoke to the tube for proper reassembly.
- Remove the cross from the yoke.
- Remove the remaining universal joint parts from the yoke. If you are replacing the front universal joint, remove the bearing cups in the slip yoke in the same manner.
- Inspect the retaining ring grooves for plastic.
- Inspect the bearing cup bores in the yoke ears for burrs or imperfections.
- Clean the remains of the sheared plastic bearing retainers from the grooves in the yoke.
- The sheared plastic may prevent the bearing cups from pressing into place and thus prevent the bearing retainers from properly seating.