Assembly Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Sierra, 2003 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2003 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the bearing retainer in the retainer groove.
- Continue pressing until you can snap both retainers into place.
- 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.