Assembly Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 GMC Sierra, 2008 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2008 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.

Fig 1: View Of Bearing Cup & Trunnion Yoke

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

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 that the trunnion seats freely into the bearing cup.

Fig 2: Identifying Bearing Cup & Yoke Ear

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

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.
Install 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 free unbinding movement of the trunnions in the bearing cups.

IMPORTANT: If there seems to be a hang up or binding, stop pressing. Inspect the needle bearings for misalignment in the bearing cup.

Press the bearing cup into the yoke until the bearing cup retainer groove is visible over the top of the bearing cup.

Fig 3: Assembling Bearing Retainer In Retainer Groove

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Assemble the bearing retainer in the retainer groove.
Continue pressing until both retainers can be snapped into place.

Fig 4: Seating Retainer Using Hammer (External Snap Ring)

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

If the retainer is difficult to seat, the yoke can be sprung 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 that the snap ring seats in the bearing cup groove.