
Jeep Cherokee
Service Manual
Differential and driveline » Propeller shafts » Disassembly and assembly
Double cardan joint
DISASSEMBLY
Individual components of cardan universal joints
are not serviceable. If worn or leaking, they must be
replaced as an assembly.
- Remove the propeller shaft.
- Using a soft drift, tap the outside of the bearing
cap assembly to loosen snap ring.
- Remove all the bearing cap snap rings (Fig. 23).
- Set the joint in an arbor press or vise with a
socket whose inside diameter is large enough to
receive the bearing cap positioned beneath the link
yoke.
- Place a socket with an outside diameter
smaller than the upper bearing cap on the upper
bearing cap and partially press one bearing cap from
the outboard side of the link yoke enough to grasp
the bearing cap with vise jaws (Fig. 24). Be sure to
remove grease fittings that interfere with removal.

Fig. 23 Remove Snap Rings

Fig. 24 Press Out Bearing
- Grasp the protruding bearing by vise jaws. Tap
the link yoke with a mallet and drift to dislodge the
bearing cap from the yoke (Fig. 25).
- Flip assembly and repeat Step 4, Step 5, and
Step 6 to remove the opposite bearing cap. This will
then allow removal of the cross centering kit assembly
and spring (Fig. 26).
- Press the remaining bearing caps out the other
end of the link yoke as described above to complete
the disassembly.

Fig. 25 Remove Bearing From Yoke

Fig. 26 Remove Centering Kit
ASSEMBLY
During assembly, ensure that the alignment
marks on the link yoke and propeller shaft
yoke are aligned.
- Apply extreme pressure (EP) N.L.G.I. Grade 1
or 2 grease to inside of yoke bores to aid in installation.
- Fit a cross into the propeller shaft yoke (Fig. 27).

Fig. 27 Install Cross In Yoke
- Place a bearing cap over the trunnion and
align the cap with the yoke bore (Fig. 28). Keep the
needle bearings upright in the bearing assembly. A
needle bearing lying at the bottom of the cap will
prevent proper assembly.

Fig. 28 Install Bearing Cap
- Press the bearing cap into the yoke bore
enough to install a snap ring (Fig. 29).
- Install a snap ring.

Fig. 29 Press In Bearing Cap
- Flip the propeller shaft yoke and install the
bearing cap onto the opposite trunnion. Install a
snap ring (Fig. 30).

Fig. 30 Press In Bearing Cap
- Fit the link yoke on the remaining two trunnions
and press both bearing caps into place (Fig.
31).
- Install snap rings.

Fig. 31 Install Link Yoke
- Install the centering kit assembly inside the
link yoke making sure the spring is properly positioned
(Fig. 32).

Fig. 32 Install Centering Kit
- Place two bearing caps on opposite trunnions
of the remaining cross. Fit the open trunnions into
the link yoke bores and the bearing caps into the
centering kit (Fig. 33).

Fig. 33 Install Remaining Cross
- Press the remaining two bearing caps into
place and install snap rings (Fig. 34).

Fig. 34 Press In Bearing Cap
- Tap the snap rings to allow them to seat into
the grooves (Fig. 35).
- Check for proper assembly. Flex the joint
beyond center, it should snap over-center in both
directions when correctly assembled (Fig. 36).
- Install the propeller shaft.

Fig. 35 Seat Snap Rings In Groove

Fig. 36 Check Assembly
More about «Disassembly and assembly»:
Double cardan joint