How do i change the universal joints on my 1989 Chevy k1500 4x4?

Answer 1

Take it to a shop with a good reputation. gm ran a plastic lock around the u joint caps that have to be heated with a torch to remove.Attempting this yourself can be rough, and expensive, if you damage the heated yoke, or the driveshaft itself. Sometimes it just cheaper to pay a pro,and it comes with a warranty.If youre going to attempt it, wear safety glasses !!!! heat yoke slowly until the two little holes on the sides of it start "pooping" a little worm. Repeat until the plastic is done expandig, and has exited completely. ALLOW TO COOL or damage is inevitable!!.Place the shaft in a vice, spray with lube wd40 or pb blaster is good.use a c-clamp with a large socket that the caps will fit into, and force the joint fully one way into the socket. Remove the clamp, socket and cap, reverse the tool set up, forcing the remaining joint cap back through the yoke, until cap is out the other side.remove the tool, and joint, Repeat this procedure until you have removed the worn joints. Installation is basically a reverse of removal, but be careful not to drop the new caps. Remove all caps from the new joint, and set at a safe distance from the work area. Place the new joint through the yoke, and place in one cap carefully use the c clamp to press the cap almost completely through the yoke. Remove the c clamp and place the cap on the opposite side, use the c clamp to press the cap through the yoke until centered. install the retaining clips iether to the inside rim of the cap (this one looks like a "c" ) or to the outside of the cap using pliers ( this one looks kinda like a "G") youll know what im saying once you get to that point. Keep doing that till youre done. Lube your joints immediately AFTER you have installed the shaft on the TRUCK. (Dont lube with unmounted caps as the caps will pop off and give you a headache....)Good Luck. i hope this helps you...jm.