OEM 2000 Dodge Durango Universal Joint

2000 Dodge Durango Universal Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Universal Joint in a Double Cardan Joint Assembly on 2000 Dodge Durango?

  A: Remove the propeller shaft as the first step to working on the double Cardan joint. Tap the outer part of the bearing cap assembly with a soft drift to loosen the snap ring, then remove every bearing cap snap ring. Squeeze the joint in a vise or an arbor press, using a big socket to catch the bearing cap right under the link yoke. Attach a socket that's smaller in diameter to the upper bearing cap and set the outer cap from the yoke aside, then press the outer cap down until you can grasp it with vise jaws, while maintaining a good grip on any grease fittings. Clamp the protruding bearing so that its flange goes into the jaws and knock the link yoke with a mallet until the bearing cap comes out. First, turn the assembly over and use the procedure above. This will let you take out the opposite bearing cap, then the whole cross centering kit along with the spring. Remove the bearing caps from the other side of the link yoke, so you have completed the disassembly. While assembling, place the alignment marks on the link yoke and propeller shaft yoke together. Before installation, add Grade 1 or 2 grease to the insides of the yoke bores. Put the cross into the propeller shaft yoke, top it with a bearing cap on the trunnion and line it up with the yoke bore so that the bearings keep their upright position. Press the cap down far enough into the yoke bore that a snap ring can be fitted and then add the snap ring. Unscrew the other propeller shaft yoke and set the bearing cap inside that trunnion, installing a third snap ring afterward. Work the link yoke onto the second and third yokes and force the bearing caps onto them. Finally, add the snap rings. Install the centering kit assembly onto the link yoke while keeping the spring in its correct spot. Put two bearing caps on opposite trunnions of the next supporting cross, insert the open trunnions into the link yoke bores and fit the bearing caps over the centering kit. Fit the remaining caps onto the bearings and put snap rings in place by tapping them against the ring grooves. Make sure the head snaps over-center when you bend the neck in either direction. After that, add the propeller shaft to the hull.