Replacing the Universal Joint on a 1987 Silverado

This is MY favorite way to change a universal joint. There may be better ways, but this one you can do on a trail and in a pinch

>>BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP CAPS OFF THE DRIVE SHAFT!<<.

First park the vehicle on as FLAT of a surface as you can. Then put something to "chock" the wheel.

Start by removing the driveshaft. There are many ways this can be attached to your vehicle. DOUBLE CHECK WHEEL CHOCK BEFORE REMOVING DRIVESHAFT. Once removed your vehicle may be able to roll.

Remove shaft and place a pan underneath tale shaft of transmission. Fluid may leak from tail shaft.

Depending on style of universal joint you may need to remove retaining clips. This particular one does not use clips. 

Using a torch,Heat the parts that hold the u joint. This will expand the drive-shaft and relieve the joint.

Using a hammer, hammer down one of the sides of the u-joint. You will be striking the cap of the joint. This will force the joint down and you can remove the opposing cap.(Depending on hammer size you may need to use a socket to hammer it down). Once complete you will have both caps out and you can remove the U joint.

>>USE EXTREME CAUTION NOT TO DROP THE NEW JOINT OR ITS CAPS!<<


Remove two of the caps from the new joint and carefully place them on a flat surface. 

Insert join in to drive shaft and carefully put caps back on. Since they need to be pressed, they will only go on part way.

Place drive shaft end with caps on a flat hard surface. Using a hammer, Carefully hammer caps back in. Make sure to use even pressure and flip over once or twice to insert them evenly.

>>BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP CAPS OFF THE DRIVE SHAFT!<<

Once this is complete make sure it rotates freely and reinstall driveshaft into vehicle.

>>BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP CAPS OFF THE DRIVE SHAFT!<<

I did not get a photo of this step but it is very important to line the shaft up correctly . There are splines on the tailshaft of the transmission. They will only line up one way.

>>BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP CAPS OFF THE DRIVE SHAFT!<<