OEM 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Universal Joint

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Universal Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Repair Universal Joints in a Double Cardan System on 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

  A: At the outset of servicing or repairing double Cardan universal joints, take out the propeller shaft and label the propeller shaft yoke and the link yoke with marks to help with assembly. Hit the outside of the cap assembly with a drift to get the snap rings to come lose, then remove all of the bearing cap snap rings. If your bike has them, take out any grease fittings you find. Place a socket in the anchor press so it will fit under the link yoke, but leave a socket above to connect to the outside of the upper bearing cap. Press one cap from the outward end of the link yoke far enough to hold it with the vise jaws, grasp the crowning bearing cap with the vise jows and tap the link yoke with a hammer and drift to take the bearing cap off. Rotate the assembly so that the other bearing cap is at the bottom and press and tap to get rid of it. Take out the cross centering kit assembly and spring, then remove the bearing caps from the link yoke by pushing them out the other end. When you assemble, place the alignment marks on the link yoke and propeller shaft yoke in the same position. Lubricate the inside of the yoke bores with very heavy grade 1 or 2 grease, insert a cross into the propeller shaft yoke and fit a bearing cap over the trunnion, aligning it with the yoke bore as you keep the needle bearings horizontal. Pressure should be applied to the bearing cap into the yoke bore so the snap ring groove is cleared and a snap ring can be installed. Rotate the propeller shaft yoke over and set the other bearing cap on the remaining trunnion, then put in a snap ring. Affix the link yoke on the rest of the trunnions, press the bearing caps into place and snap the rings in their guides. Screw the centering kit assembly into the link yoke, taking care that the spring is lined up correctly. Install two bearing caps on the remaining cross trunnions, rise the open trunnions into the link yoke bores and the other with the centering kit bearing caps. Install the other two bearing caps and then snap the rings into place by tapping them into their grooves. Make sure the joint flexes past its normal range and if the joint snaps over-center on each side, then the assembly is correct; then, place the propeller shaft.