Guide to Universal Joint Replacement

When a universal joint (U joint) goes bad on your car, it can be dangerous, but taking your car to a mechanic can be time consuming and expensive. If you have recognized the clunking or clicking sound your car makes when driving or while making turns and are positive it is a U joint issue, but do not want to take your care to an auto shop, you can replace the universal joint yourself. Replacement of a U joint is not complicated, and does not take a lot of time if you do each step carefully and completely.

Directions

1

Jack Up the Vehicle

The first step is to lift the front end of the car off the floor with a floor jack. Once the floor jack has lifted the car, place jack stands under front of the car on the front end of the frame give the lifted car full stability. Now, if you do not want to lift up both ends of the vehicle, it is important to empty the transmission fluid to prevent any leakage, but lifting up the vehicle completely by putting more jack stands in place is also an option. To empty the transmission fluid, dislodge the fill plug, find a container to hold the fluid, and then disengage the drain plug of the transmission.

2

Getting to the U Joints

Once the car is in a stable, lifted position, and the transmission fluid is empty, you have to remove the drive shaft. Before removing the drive shaft, it is important to make reference marks for reassembly so that you can properly reassemble it later without creating a safety hazard. Once that is done, remove the mounting clips or bolts that are holding the driveshaft to the transmission, then remove the drive shaft itself by dislodging the yoke from the transmission. Be careful to secure the bearing caps with tap in order to prevent any jostling of the needle bearings, and then put the drive shaft in a vise to keep it stabilized.

3

Remove the Bearing Caps

Once the drive shaft is stabilized, remove the tape from the bearing caps. Then, dislodge the bearings completely from the yoke by detaching the retaining rings. You will need to use the leverage of the vise, as well as various ratchets, in order to remove the bearing caps. As the caps are pushed through assembly, use pliers to remove completely.

4

Repeat the Cap Removal Process

Once you gave removed the bearing caps off of one end, you will need to flip the drive shaft around and do the same thing on the other end. Once you have done this, you will be able to get to the universal joint and will be almost ready to remove the U joint to be replaced with new ones. Once you have all of the bearing caps off, make sure you put the caps somewhere so as not to lose or damage the parts, which will be needed for reassembly.

5

Removing the Old U Joint

Now that the bearing caps are gone, you can dislodge the U joint from the yoke, as well as the drive shaft. If any of the clips or screws that are holding the U joins on have become rusted, stiff, or corroded, you can use some penetrant to clean them up. Doing this will make it easier to remove the clips and take off the U joint.

6

Clean It Up

Once the U joint has been removed, it is important to clean up any dirt and debris you can get to off of the drive shaft and all the parts around it. Doing this can keep anything from getting in the way of it working properly, and will improve the function of the parts. It is also important to make sure the replacement parts are clean as well.

7

Attach the Replacement Caps

Once the equipment is clean, take a small amount of grease and apply it to the replacement caps. Then, replace the bearing cap by partially inserting it into the yoke. Once this is done, you can prepare to install the U joint into the cap.

8

Install the U Joint

Begin installing the U joint into the cap, and then partially insert the opposing cap. Once you line up the U joint, push the caps into place by using a press machine. Once this is done, insert the retaining rings.

9

Reattach the Drive Shaft

Now that the U joint and caps are in place, lift the drive shaft up and get it into position. Check the alignment of the yoke and that it is matched up with the shaft of the transmission. With your earlier reference lines, making sure it is in the right place should be easy. Once it is lined up, reattach the universal joint mounting clips, insert the grease fitting, and apply grease. Then check that everything is installed properly, and all the pieces are back where each belongs, and once you are sure, you are done with the installation.

10

Lower the Car

Once you are certain the installation is complete, you can remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle. Once the vehicle is lowered, make sure the transmission drain plug has been properly reinserted, and then refill the transmission with the fluid. Once the fluid is back where it belongs, replace the fill plug and you are done.

Changing the universal joint on your car is not an overly difficult task, and if you want to save yourself money you can do it in your own garage with minimal equipment. Before doing this, however, make sure you have a firm grasp of what the steps are, and that you can recognize all the necessary parts. Additionally, make sure that when you are reassembling the car that you tighten everything firmly and do not forget any pieces. Remember, you are relying on your handiwork to be a safe mode of transportation. Therefore, if at any time you run into an issue or a problem greater than your skill, consult a professional.