How To Replace Universal Joints (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Replace Universal Joints PDF download Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Ed Beery

Last Updated: August 28, 2024 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Ed Beery. Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 150,835 times.

Replacing universal joints refers to changing the couplings at either end of the drive shaft, which are an integral component of the suspension system of a vehicle. This process isn't complicated, so anyone with garage access and a moderate amount of automotive experience can accomplish this repair task on their own. Follow these steps for how to replace universal joints.

Steps

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  1. Step 1 Lift up the front end of a vehicle with a floor jack. 1 Lift up the front end of a vehicle with a floor jack.[1]
  2. Step 2 Place jack stands under the front end of the frame to ensure stability. 2 Place jack stands under the front end of the frame to ensure stability.[2] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Empty the transmission fluid in order to prevent it from leaking. 3 Empty the transmission fluid in order to prevent it from leaking.
  4. Step 4 Dislodge the fill plug for the transmission. 4 Dislodge the fill plug for the transmission.
  5. Step 5 Prepare a container for the fluid and disengage the transmission's drain plug. 5 Prepare a container for the fluid and disengage the transmission's drain plug.
  6. Step 6 Ensure the integrity of the driveshaft assembly by creating reference marks. 6 Ensure the integrity of the driveshaft assembly by creating reference marks.[3]
  7. Step 7 Detach the mounting clips or bolts which hold the driveshaft to the transmission. 7 Detach the mounting clips or bolts which hold the driveshaft to the transmission.
  8. Step 8 Remove the driveshaft by dislodging the yoke from the transmission. 8 Remove the driveshaft by dislodging the yoke from the transmission.[4]
  9. Step 9 Prevent the jostling of the needle bearings by securing the bearing caps with tape. 9 Prevent the jostling of the needle bearings by securing the bearing caps with tape.
  10. Step 10 Stabilize the driveshaft in a vise. 10 Stabilize the driveshaft in a vise.
  11. Step 11 Remove the tape. 11 Remove the tape.
  12. Step 12 Dislodge the bearings from the yoke by detaching the retaining rings. 12 Dislodge the bearings from the yoke by detaching the retaining rings.
  13. Step 13 Use variously sized sockets along with the leverage supplied by the vise, to force the bearing caps from the yoke. 13 Use variously sized sockets along with the leverage supplied by the vise, to force the bearing caps from the yoke.
  14. Step 14 Use pliers to remove the caps as they are pushed through the assembly. 14 Use pliers to remove the caps as they are pushed through the assembly.
  15. Step 15 Flip the drive shaft around in the vise and repeat the preceding process on the other end. 15 Flip the drive shaft around in the vise and repeat the preceding process on the other end.
  16. Step 16 Dislodge the universal joint from the both the yoke and the driveshaft. 16 Dislodge the universal joint from the both the yoke and the driveshaft.
  17. Step 17 Remove all dirt and debris from the entire drive shaft assembly, assuring that it is completely clean. 17 Remove all dirt and debris from the entire drive shaft assembly, assuring that it is completely clean.
  18. Step 18 Apply a small amount of grease to the replacement caps. 18 Apply a small amount of grease to the replacement caps.
  19. Step 19 Replace the bearing cap by inserting it partially into the yoke. 19 Replace the bearing cap by inserting it partially into the yoke.[5]
  20. Step 20 Begin installing the universal joint into the cap. 20 Begin installing the universal joint into the cap.
  21. Step 21 Insert the opposing cap, partially. 21 Insert the opposing cap, partially.
  22. Step 22 Line up the universal joint and push the caps into place using a press machine. 22 Line up the universal joint and push the caps into place using a press machine.
  23. Step 23 Insert the retaining rings. 23 Insert the retaining rings.
  24. Step 24 Lift the driveshaft into position. 24 Lift the driveshaft into position.
  25. Step 25 Confirm that the yoke is properly aligned with the shaft of the transmission. 25 Confirm that the yoke is properly aligned with the shaft of the transmission.
  26. Step 26 Consult your reference lines to ensure proper reinstallation of the driveshaft. 26 Consult your reference lines to ensure proper reinstallation of the driveshaft.
  27. Step 27 Reattach the universal joint mounting clamps or clips. 27 Reattach the universal joint mounting clamps or clips.
  28. Step 28 Insert the grease fitting and apply grease. 28 Insert the grease fitting and apply grease.[6]
  29. Step 29 Inspect the universal joint to confirm proper installation. 29 Inspect the universal joint to confirm proper installation.
  30. Step 30 Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. 30 Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.
  31. Step 31 Confirm that the transmission drain plug has been reinserted and refill the transmission with fluid. 31 Confirm that the transmission drain plug has been reinserted and refill the transmission with fluid.[7]
  32. Step 32 Replace the fill plug. 32 Replace the fill plug.
    33. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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  • Question Is car suspension expensive to fix? Ed Beery Ed Beery Automotive Specialist Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. Ed Beery Ed Beery Automotive Specialist Expert Answer It will depend on what's gone bad. Vehicle suspension systems are made up of many different parts. Some parts may be going bad, but the entire system will not go bad at one time. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
  • Question What are signs of worn out suspension? Ed Beery Ed Beery Automotive Specialist Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. Ed Beery Ed Beery Automotive Specialist Expert Answer The signs of suspension problems include: clunking sounds when hitting holes or speed bumps, vehicle pulling to one side, uneven tire wear and hard or loose steering. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question Can the 2 rear joints be changed without having to remove or disturb the carrier bearing on a 92 f-150 extended cab truck? Uglymug18 Uglymug18 Community Answer The front and rear section of the drive shaft are spliced together at the carrier bearing so yes, you can remove just the rear section. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
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Video

Tips

  • An alternative to draining the transmission fluid is to hoist up both ends of the vehicle. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
  • Clanging noises while traveling at high speeds is symptomatic of worn out universal joints, but removing and inspecting them is the only way to fully diagnose the problem. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • While the driveshaft is dismounted, examine the yoke seal for wear. Replace it if needed. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/how-to-safely-jack-up-your-vehicle/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2XdxPJnpNE
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOeBE-ylQw
  4. ↑ https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-replace-u-joints
  5. ↑ https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-replace-a-u-joint
  6. ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a86/1272541/
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb_1wbiPz9g
  8. http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/ujoint1/u-joint-1.htm
  9. http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/transfluid.htm

About This Article

Ed Beery Co-authored by: Ed Beery Automotive Specialist This article was co-authored by Ed Beery. Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. This article has been viewed 150,835 times. 28 votes - 86% Co-authors: 7 Updated: August 28, 2024 Views: 150,835 Categories: Transmission Parts
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Reader Success Stories

  • Calvin Breitkreuz

    Calvin Breitkreuz

    Feb 11, 2022

    "Great instructable, very authentic, I would just add that you may need to purchase a heavy duty u joint c-clamp and..." more Rated this article:
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ed Beery Co-authored by: Ed Beery Automotive Specialist Co-authors: 7 Updated: August 28, 2024 Views: 150,835 86% of readers found this article helpful. 28 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote Calvin Breitkreuz

Calvin Breitkreuz

Feb 11, 2022

"Great instructable, very authentic, I would just add that you may need to purchase a heavy duty u joint c-clamp and..." more Rated this article: Amanda B.

Amanda B.

Aug 25, 2024

"Successfully replaced ours without problems on our Nissan Navara D40; it wasn't as scary or hard as we first..." more Scott Owens

Scott Owens

Jan 1, 2017

"Simple step by step. Could only be better with pics." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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