OEM 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Universal Joint

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Universal Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How is a Universal Joint Serviced and Replaced on 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

  A: As a pair, Single Cardan Universal Joints should be treated as a unit; if one fails, the entire assembly has to be changed. Eliminate the propeller shaft as your initial step. Gently cook the outside of the bearing cap assembly to make the snap ring easier to remove and then pull the snap rings from each side of the yoke. With the bearing cap's side in the vise or arbor press, place a socket the same size as the bearing cap on top of the yoke, while the grease fitting is pointing upward. Slip a socket of smaller upper diameter over the upper bearing cap, press it through the yoke and the lower bearing cap will rise on its own. Should the cap stay in after pressing it, give the yoke ear near the bearing cap a tap to unseat it. To take off the opposite bearing cap, turn the yoke upside down, put the cross in the hole and push on the end of the cross until you can remove the cap. When installing, be sure that the cross or bearing cap are in line so that the walls of the yoke bore are not damaged. The starting point for assembly is to grease the yoke bores internally with EP N.L.G.I. Grade 1 or 2 grease. With the lube fitting pointing up, make sure the cross is installed into the yoke. Screw on the bearing cap so that the yoke bore meets the center of the trunnion and makes sure the needle bearings are upright. Fit the bearing cap into the yoke bore so much that a snap ring can be inserted and then slide on the snap ring. Work with the opposite end of the bearing cap and if the joint is not moving smoothly, whack the yoke gently with a soft hammer until the needle bearings are set. After that, if the lube fitting is installed, grease the fitting and fit the propeller shaft back into place.