Universal Joint: Service and Repair

AXLE - U-JOINT

REMOVAL

CAUTION: Clamp only the narrow forged portion of the yoke in the vise. Do not over tighten the vise jaws, to avoid distorting the yoke.

1. Remove axle shaft.





2. Remove the bearing cap retaining snap rings (Fig. 27).

NOTE: Saturate the bearing caps with penetrating oil prior to removal.

3. Locate a socket with an inside diameter is larger than the bearing cap. Place the socket (receiver) against the yoke and around the perimeter of the bearing cap to be removed.
4. Locate a socket with an outside diameter is smaller than the bearing cap. Place the socket (driver) against the opposite bearing cap.





5. Position the yoke with the sockets in a vise (Fig. 28).
6. Tighten the vise jaws to force the bearing cap into the larger socket (receiver).
7. Release the vise jaws. Remove the sockets and bearing cap that was partially forced out of the yoke.
8. Repeat the above procedure for the remaining bearing cap and remove spider from the propeller shaft yoke.

INSTALLATION
1. Pack the bearing caps 1/3 full of wheel bearing lubricant. Apply extreme pressure (EP), lithium-base lubricant to aid in installation.
2. Position the spider in the yoke. Insert the seals and bearings, then tap bearing caps into the yoke bores far enough to hold the spider in position.
3. Place the socket (driver) against one bearing cap. Position the yoke with the socket in a vise.
4. Tighten the vise to force the bearing caps into the yoke. Force the caps enough to install the retaining clips.
5. Install the bearing cap retaining clips.
6. Install axle shaft.