Installation Procedure

Remove the bearing cups from the new universal joint journals.
Coat the needle bearings in the bearing cups with a thin layer of the grease that is present on the journal. Use your finger to apply the grease.
Install one bearing cup part way into one side of the yoke.
Turn the yoke ear towards the bottom.
Install the cross into the yoke so that the trunnion seats freely into the bearing cup.

Fig 1: Installing Cross Into Yoke
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
With the trunnion seated in the bearing cup, press the bearing cup into the yoke until it is flush with the yoke ear.
Install the opposite bearing cup part way into the yoke ear.

Fig 2: Installing Opposite Bearing Cup Part Way Into Yoke Ear
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Make sure that the trunnions are started straight and true into both bearing cups.
Important: If the bearing cup seems to bind or hang-up, stop pressing. Check the needle bearings for misalignment in the bearing cup.
Press the opposite bearing cup into the yoke ear.
- Work the cross all the time.
- Check for free unbinding movement of the trunnions in the bearing cups.
- Press the bearing cup into the yoke until the bearing retainer groove is visible over the top of the bearing cup.
Install the bearing retainer in the retainer groove.
- Continue pressing until you can snap both retainers into place.
- A small amount of chassis grease may help the snap ring seat in the bearing cup groove.
Fig 3: Installing Bearing Retainer In Retainer Groove
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
If the retainer does not seat, spring the yoke slightly with a firm blow from a dead blow hammer.

Fig 4: Setting Retainer In Yoke
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the propeller shaft. Refer to PROPELLER SHAFT REPLACEMENT - FRONT or PROPELLER SHAFT REPLACEMENT - REAR .