GM 89040245 Joint Kit,Propeller Shaft Rear Universal

Always purchase a universal joint service kit for your model vehicle before beginning this procedure. Also, read through the entire procedure before beginning work. If inspection reveals looseness or play in the driveshaft center bearing (two-piece driveshafts), bring the driveshaft to a machine shop and have the old bearing pressed off and a new one installed. The yoke flange must be removed to replace the center bearing. Remove the driveshaft. Place the driveshaft on a bench equipped with a vise. Remove the snap-rings with a small pair of pliers. Support the cross (also called a spider) on a short piece of pipe or a large socket and use another socket to press out the cross by closing the vise. Press the cross through as far as possible, then grip the bearing cap with pliers and remove it. A universal joint repair kit will contain a new cross, seals, bearings, caps and snaprings. Inspect the bearing cap bores in the yokes for wear and damage. If the bearing cap bores in the yoke are so worn that the caps are a loose fit, the driveshaft will have to be replaced with a new one. Make sure the dust seals are properly located on the cross. Using a vise, press one bearing cap into the yoke approximately 1/4-inch. Use chassis grease to hold the needle rollers in place in the caps. Insert the cross into the partially installed bearing cap, taking care not to dislodge the needle rollers. Hold the cross in correct alignment and press both caps into place by slowly and carefully closing the jaws of the vise. Use a socket slightly smaller in diameter than the caps lo press them into the yoke. Press in one side, install the snap-ring, then press the other side to shift the cross assembly light against the installed snap-ring and install the other snap-ring. Repeat the operations for the remaining two bearing caps. If the joint is stiff after assembly, strike the yoke sharply with a hammer. This will spring the yoke ears slightly and free up the joint.

Before beginning the universal joint replacement procedure, it's crucial to have a universal joint service kit specific to your vehicle. First, remove the driveshaft. For the outer snap-ring type universal joint, place the driveshaft on a bench equipped with a vise. Remove the snap-rings using small pliers, then support the cross (also called a spider or trunnion) on a short piece of pipe or a large socket and use another socket to press out the cross by closing the vise. Press the cross through as far as possible, grip the bearing cup with locking pliers, and remove it. A universal joint repair kit will provide new components like a trunnion, seals, bearings, cups, and snap-rings. Inspect the bearing cup housing in the driveshaft for wear and damage; if it's too worn, the driveshaft will require replacement. Ensure the dust seals are correctly positioned on the trunnion. Using a vise, press one bearing cup into the yoke about 1/4-inch, use grease to keep the needle rollers in place, insert the trunnion into the partially installed bearing cup, insert the needle bearings into the opposite cup, and press both cups into place using a slightly smaller socket. Install the snap-rings to secure the cups. For the injected plastic (inner snap-ring) type, if the joint has been previously rebuilt, remove the snap-rings located on the inner part of each bearing cup. For first-time rebuilding, it won't be necessary to remove the snap-rings; the pressing operation will shear the molded plastic retaining material. Press out the bearing cups, remove the trunnion (cross), and clean all plastic material from the yoke. Reassembly is similar to the outer snap-ring joint, but the snap-rings are on the inner part of each bearing cup. When installing the bearing cup, press it in until the snap-ring can be installed, and if needed, strike the yoke with a hammer to allow the snap-ring groove to move into position.

A driveshaft is a tube or pair of tubes that transmits power between the transmission or transfer case on 4WD models and the differential. It is equipped with universal joints at either end and in the center for two-piece driveshafts. On 2WD models, the driveshaft has a splined yoke at the front that allows it to slide back and forth within the transmission, with an oil seal to prevent fluid leakage and dirt entry. For 4WD models, the driveshaft may have a splined yoke or companion flange at the transfer case end, and two-piece driveshafts usually have a slip joint at the front of the rear section. Center bearings support the driveline in two-piece driveshafts, mounted in a rubber cushion on a frame crossmember. The driveshaft requires minimal service, with the universal joints being lubricated for life and replaced if problems arise. It is important to keep the driveshaft clean and inspect it for damage, ensuring the small weights used for balancing are in place and securely attached. Any noise or vibration while driving may indicate a problem with the driveshaft, which can be verified through a road test.

Always purchase a universal joint service kit for your model vehicle before beginning this procedure. Also, read through the entire procedure before beginning work. If inspection reveals looseness or play in the driveshaft center bearing (two-piece driveshafts), bring the driveshaft to a machine shop and have the old bearing pressed off and a new one installed. The yoke flange must be removed to replace the center bearing. Remove the driveshaft. Place the driveshaft on a bench equipped with a vise. Remove the snap-rings with a small pair of pliers. Support the cross (also called a spider) on a short piece of pipe or a large socket and use another socket to press out the cross by closing the vise. Press the cross through as far as possible, then grip the bearing cap with pliers and remove it. A universal joint repair kit will contain a new cross, seals, bearings, caps and snaprings. Inspect the bearing cap bores in the yokes for wear and damage. If the bearing cap bores in the yoke are so worn that the caps are a loose fit, the driveshaft will have to be replaced with a new one. Make sure the dust seals are properly located on the cross. Using a vise, press one bearing cap into the yoke approximately 1/4-inch. Use chassis grease to hold the needle rollers in place in the caps. Insert the cross into the partially installed bearing cap, taking care not to dislodge the needle rollers. Hold the cross in correct alignment and press both caps into place by slowly and carefully closing the jaws of the vise. Use a socket slightly smaller in diameter than the caps lo press them into the yoke. Press in one side, install the snap-ring, then press the other side to shift the cross assembly light against the installed snap-ring and install the other snap-ring. Repeat the operations for the remaining two bearing caps. If the joint is stiff after assembly, strike the yoke sharply with a hammer. This will spring the yoke ears slightly and free up the joint.

To remove the driveshaft, start by placing it on a bench equipped with a vise. Use a small pair of pliers to remove the snap-rings. Support the cross on a short piece of pipe or a large socket and press it out by closing the vise. Grip the bearing cup with locking pliers and remove it. Inspect the bearing cup housing for wear and damage. If necessary, replace the driveshaft. Make sure the dust seals are properly located on the trunnion. Press a bearing cup into the yoke and use multi-purpose grease to hold the needle rollers in place. Insert the trunnion into the bearing cup and press both cups into place. Use a socket to press them into the yoke and install the snap-rings. Repeat these steps for the remaining bearing cups. For the injected-plastic type, remove the snap-rings on the inner part of each bearing cup. Press out the bearing cups and remove the trunnion. Clean all plastic material from the yoke and reassemble the joint using the same steps as the outer snap-ring joint, but with the snap-rings on the inner part of each bearing cup. If difficulty is encountered during installation, strike the yoke with a hammer to allow the snap-ring groove to move into position.

A driveshaft is a tube that transmits power between the transmission or transfer case and the differential.

The universal joints in the driveshaft are lubricated for life and do not require regular maintenance.

In 2WD models, the driveshaft has a splined yoke at the front that allows it to slide back and forth within the transmission, with an oil seal to prevent fluid leakage and dirt entry.

Problems with the driveshaft are usually indicated by noise or vibration while driving.

Start by placing it on a bench equipped with a vise. Use pliers to remove the snap-rings. Support the cross on a short piece of pipe or a large socket and press it out by closing the vise. Grip the bearing cup with locking pliers and remove it.