Note: first purchase a repair kit for universal joints used on the vehicle modification being serviced. Before starting work, read the entire description of the upcoming procedure.
1. Remove the driveshaft (see subsection 3).
Hinges with external retaining ring
2. Place the driveshaft on a workbench equipped with a vise.
3. Remove the retaining rings using small special pliers (see illustration).
4.3. Using small pliers, remove the snap rings located at the ends of the universal joint forks
4. Place a short piece of pipe or a large-diameter socket head against the crosspiece and, placing another socket head against the crosspiece, press it out by clamping it in a vice (see illustration).
4.4. To disconnect the universal joint from the shaft, use a vice as a press - by using a socket with a smaller diameter, the bearing cap will be pressed into the socket with a larger diameter
5. Press out the spider as much as possible, then grab with pliers and remove the bearing cap (see illustration).
4.5. To remove the bearing caps from the fork, you can use a self-tightening wrench
6. The universal joint repair kit contains a new spider, oil seals, bearings, caps and snap rings (see illustration).
4.6. Cardan joint with external locking ring
7. Inspect the fork bearing cap holes for signs of wear or surface damage.
8. If the fork holes are worn to the point that the caps are loose, replace the driveshaft.
9. Make sure the crosspiece boots are positioned correctly.
10. Press one of the bearing caps into the fork approximately 6 mm using a vice.
11. After gluing with grease, fix the needle rollers in the covers.
12. Insert the spider into the pre-installed bearing cap without allowing the needle rollers to move.
13. Maintaining the desired position of the spider, press both bearing caps by slowly and carefully clamping a vice.
14. Using a socket whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the caps, press them into the fork. Press in the cap on one side, install the retaining ring, then press in the cap on the other side until the crosspiece is pressed against the installed retaining ring. After this, install another retaining ring.
15. Perform the described operation on the remaining two bearing caps. Proceed to performing operations, the description of which begins with step 22.
Hinges with molded plastic fillings (with internal retaining ring)
16. If you previously disassembled the hinge, remove the retaining rings (bearing holders), located on the inside of the bearing caps (see illustration).
4.16. Remove the inner universal joint snap rings by knocking them out using a screwdriver and hammer
17. If disassembling the hinge is being done for the first time, there is no need to remove the retaining rings, since they are missing; bearing caps are pressed into plastic fillers.
Note: It may be necessary to heat the universal joint to a temperature exceeding 250°C before pressing out the spider (so that the plastic fillers melt).
18. Press out the bearing caps as described in steps 4 and 5.
19. Remove the spider and clean the plastic fillers from the fork. Using a small beard, remove plastic from the holes through which the filler is poured.
20. The assembly of hinges of this type is carried out similarly to the assembly of hinges with an external retaining ring, as described in paragraphs 9 - 15, with the difference that the retaining rings are located on the inside of the bearing caps (see illustration).
4.20. Cardan joint with internal locking rings
21. When installing the bearing cap, it is necessary to press it in so that it is possible to install the retaining ring (see illustration).
4.21. Installing the Inner Retaining Ring on the Universal Joint
All types of hinges
22. If the mobility of the joint appears limited after assembly, tap the fork evenly with a hammer (see illustration). In this case, the fork will spring slightly and the hinge will become mobile.
4.22. Tap the fork evenly with a hammer - this will cause it to spring back and the hinge will become mobile