How to Replace the Universal Joint on a Yukon
Your Yukon is a four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle that can handle just about anything that is thrown at it. However, if the universal joint goes bad and the transmission locks up, there is not much you can do. The universal joint is a part that is found on either end of the driveshaft, and provides the power from your engine to the rear differential of your vehicle. The entire purpose of the universal joint is to allow the driveshaft to spin efficiently while the Yukon's suspension hits and bumps. If your universal joint wears out or loses the grease from the inside bearings, it can cause the transmission to run rough or even lock the drivetrain up and cause multiple problems. Replace the universal joint when it begins to go bad, and your Yukon will enjoy a long, useful life.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Crescent wrench set
- Flathead screwdriver set
- Universal joint tool
- Car ramps
- Pliers
Instructions
-
-
1
Drive the rear tires of the Yukon up on the car ramps and set the parking break. Climb under the vehicle and use the crescent wrenches to remove the two sets of four mounting bolts on both ends of the driveshaft. Slide the driveshaft out from under the vehicle and lay it in a clean, open area.
-
2
Use a set of pliers and the flathead screwdrivers to remove the clips from all four caps inside the universal joint itself. Line up the universal joint tool on the driveshaft, and slowly tighten down the tool until one side of the caps comes out. Repeat the process for the opposite side. When all of the caps are removed, pull the universal joint off of the driveshaft.
-
-
3
Repeat Step 2 on the other end of the driveshaft. Reassemble the new universal joints on either end by pressing the caps in with the universal joint tool, reattaching the retaining clips and then reattaching the driveshaft to the motor and transmission via the mounting bolts. Drive the vehicle down off of the ramps and take it for a test drive.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Parking the vehicle on a slight incline allows you to remove the driveshaft without having transmission fluid leak out of the transfer case.
Make sure the Yukon is securely mounted on the ramps so that when you remove the driveshaft it cannot rock forward or backward.
