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 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.

Fig 2: Identifying Bearing Cup & Yoke Ear

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

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 hangup 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.

Fig 3: View Of Bearing Retainer and Retainer Groove

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Assemble the bearing retainer in the retainer groove.
Continue pressing until you can snap both retainers into place.

Fig 4: Springing Yoke Using Hammer

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

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.