OEM 2003 Dodge Durango Universal Joint

2003 Dodge Durango Universal Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Repair a Universal Joint on 2003 Dodge Durango?

  A: Before servicing a single cardan universal joint, take out the propeller shaft first. Lightly tap the cap assembly with a drift on the outside to loosen the snap ring and remove both snap rings this way. Mount the yoke in an arbor press or vise, using a socket wide enough that the bearing cap will fit beneath the yoke and be pointed up. Set an outside diameter socket bigger than the upper bearing cap's inner diameter into the yoke and press the socket from above until the lower bearing cap comes loose. Should the bearing cap not be removable after pressing, hit the yoke ear close to the bearing cap to dislodge them. Unscrew the cross on the yoke and then turn the yoke so the cross is sticking out of the open hole. Lightly push the cross downwards to release the remaining bearing cap. Before you fine-tune the installation, be sure the cross or bearing cap is upright to prevent marking the yoke bore. You should apply moderate to heavy pressure N.L.G.I. Grade 1 or 2 EP grease within the bores of the yoke before assembly. Make sure the cross, if equipped with a lube fitting, is in the yoke with the fitting aimed up and then position a bearing cap over the trunnion and line it with the bore in the yoke so that the needle bearings don't tilts. Press on the bearing cap into the bore of the yoke until a snap ring will fit in place and then install the snap ring. Do the same for the other bearing cap and if there's stiffness or binding, use a soft hammer to settle the needle bearings into the yoke. When the lube fitting is installed, smear a bit of grease on it, replace the propeller shaft and tighten all clamps or fasteners.