OEM 2000 Dodge Dakota Universal Joint

2000 Dodge Dakota Universal Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Universal Joint on 2000 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Before you can service or repair just a single Cardan universal joint, you must first remove the propeller shaft. Tap the outer area of the bearing cap assembly with a soft motion to help you remove the snap rings from the yoke. Attach the yoke to an arbor press or a vise, placing the bearing cap on the socket and making room for it. Then check that the grease fitting faces upward. Put a socket that matches the diameter of the top cap's hole onto the top and press it into the center of the yoke until the cap at the bottom falls out. If you can't pull the bearing cap by hand after pressing, give the yoke ear near the cap a light tap to remove it. When removing the opposite bearing cap, turn the yoke over, set the cross straight in the open hole and apply light pressure on the knob end. Ensure you have the cross or bearing cap leveled while installing so the bore in the yoke stays undamaged. Loading of the yoke is done by putting Extreme Pressure (EP) N. L. G. I. Grade 1 or 2 grease into the yoke bores. Place the cross into the yoke with the lube fitting, if equipped, pointing upward and then set the bearing cap over the trunnion so that the needle bearings are standing upright. Push down on the bearing cap so the yoke bore lets the snap ring slide on, then put a snap ring in place. Process the bearing cap in the opposite direction and if the joint seems to be binding, tap the yoke with a soft hammer to set the needle bearings. For propellers with a lube fitting, use a grease gun on the fitting and fit the overall shaft once more.