Driveshaft Universal Joint - Double Cardan: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford F450 Super Duty, 2003 Ford Excursion, and 2003 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Do not clamp the driveshaft in the jaws of a vice or a similar holding fixture.

Place the driveshaft on a suitable workbench.
Index-mark the double cardan yokes.

Fig 1: Index-Marking Double Cardan Yokes
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove all of the snap rings.

Fig 2: Removing Snap Rings
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Clamp the special tool in a swivel base vise.

Fig 3: Clamping Special Tool In Swivel Base Vise
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Do not continue to tighten the special tool if the U-joint bottoms out in the yoke or damage will occur to the center bearing shield.

Using the special tool, press the two bearing cups out of the opposite side of the driveshaft center yoke.
- Alternate the pressure between the U-joints.
  
  Fig 4: Pressing Bearing Cups Out Of Opposite Side Of Driveshaft Center Yoke Using Special Tool
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove bearing cups with gripping pliers.

Fig 5: Removing Bearing Cups With Gripping Pliers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the special tool, press the two remaining bearing cups out of the opposite side of the driveshaft center yoke.

Fig 6: Pressing Remaining Bearing Cups Out Of Opposite Side Of Driveshaft Center Yoke Using Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bearing cups with gripping pliers.

Fig 7: Removing Bearing Cups With Gripping Pliers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove remaining bearing cups and spiders, and on the one-piece rear driveshaft, remove the spring.
- The centering ball on the driveshaft end yoke is not repairable. Discard the driveshaft if the centering ball is damaged.
  
  Fig 8: Removing Bearing Cups And Spiders, And On One-Piece Rear Driveshaft, Removing Spring
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.