How to Install a U-Joint
A U-joint is the component that connects the driveshaft yokes to the transmission yoke and the rear end yoke. The U-Joint is mounted inside of the yokes on each end of the driveshaft. The U-joint straps connect the U-joints inside of the driveshaft yokes to the yokes on the back of the transmission and the front of the rear end. When the transmission is engaged, the U-joints give the transmission yoke the ability to turn the drive shaft. The rear U-joint then turns the rear end yoke so that the rear end can perform its required function.
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Things You'll Need
- Wheel chocks
- Chalk
- 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
- 1/2-inch drive ratchet
- 1/2-inch drive deep-well socket set
- Hand held sledge hammer
- Vise
- Snap ring pliers
- Regular pliers
- Torque wrench
Instructions
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1
Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Turn the engine off. Position the wheel chocks in the front of both front wheels and behind both front wheels.
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2
Move back to the driver's seat and turn the ignition key to the accessory position. Place the gear selector in the neutral position. This will allow the driveshaft to move around as needed.
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3
Slide under the middle section of the vehicle and locate the yoke on the back side of the transmission. The front driveshaft U-joint connects the front of the driveshaft to the transmission yoke. Mark the top of the transmission yoke and the top of the front driveshaft yoke with a piece of chalk. This will ensure that the driveshaft is reinstalled in the same direction that it came out.
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4
Remove the four strap bolts from the U-joint straps with a breaker bar and a socket. Once the bolts are loose, use a ratchet and the socket to finish removing the bolts. Pull the bolts out along with the straps. Place the bolts and straps in a safe area.
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5
Pull back on the front of the driveshaft until the driveshaft yoke is free of the transmission yoke. Use the sledge hammer if necessary to tap the top half of the driveshaft back until the driveshaft yoke is free of the transmission yoke. Place the front end of the driveshaft on the ground.
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6
Move to the back of the driveshaft and repeat the removal processt. Remove the strap bolts and the U-joint straps, pull back on the driveshaft until it clears the rear end yoke and place the back side of the driveshaft on the ground. Use the hammer if necessary to tap the top side of the driveshaft off the rear end yoke.
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Pull the entire driveshaft out from under the truck. Place one end of the driveshaft into a vise with one of the U-joint caps facing upward and the other U-joint cap facing downward. Remove the snap ring off the top U-joint cap with the snap ring pliers. Loosen the vise and turn the U-joint over so that the other U-joint cap is facing upward. Remove the snap ring from the other U-joint cap with the snap ring pliers.
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8
Place the open end of a deep-well socket over the top U-joint cap. Make sure that the deep-well socket fits into the hole of the yoke and over the cap. Tap the top of the socket with the hammer until the bottom cap comes completely out of the bottom of the yoke. Use the regular pliers, if needed, to finish removing the caps. Finish pulling the bottom cap out with your fingers.
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9
Loosen the vise and turn the driveshaft over again so that the other cap is facing downward. Place the socket over the exposed U-joint and tap the socket until the cap is far enough out of the U-joint to pull the U-joint free of the yoke, or until the cap is completely out of the yoke. Maneuver the U-joint out of the driveshaft yoke. Repeat this process on the rear U-joint of the driveshaft.
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10
Remove the caps carefully from the new U-joints. Maneuver one of the U-joints through the front driveshaft yoke. Push the caps onto the ends of the U-joint as far as they will go. Finish tapping the caps onto the ends of the U-joints with the hammer. Once the caps are completely onto the U-joint ends, there should be an exposed groove above each cap. This groove is for the snap rings. Install the snap rings over the top of the caps into the grooves with the snap ring pliers.
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11
Move to the back of the driveshaft and repeat the same installation process for the U-joint. The key is to slide the caps far enough down on the U-joint ends until the snap ring grooves are exposed. Then, install the snap rings over the caps with the pliers. Slide the driveshaft back under the vehicle.
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12
Reconnect the front and back of the driveshaft yokes with the transmission yoke and the rear end yoke. Be sure to match up the chalk marks. Place the U-joint straps over each yoke and screw the strap bolts in tight. Torque each strap bolt with a torque wrench and a socket to 25-foot pounds. Double check the U-joints for tightness. Remove the wheel chocks. Test drive the vehicle for about 10 minutes. Park the vehicle and confirm the torque of the strap bolts.
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Tips & Warnings
When handling new U-joints be sure to tape the U-joint caps with black tape to prevent the caps from slipping off. This will keep the U-joints intact until they are ready for installation.
Use a jack and jack stands if needed to get the vehicle up high enough to access the U-joints.
Be sure to use the wheel chocks to prevent the vehicle from rolling while you are under it.
