How do I rebuild the Cardan joint?

[1993Saturn]

I seem to remember there is a certain order in which the u-joint sets have to be removed when rebuilding the cardan unit. I see the rubber cup is split and I should replace that too. Can this be accomplished without having to get a whole new unit and what manufacturer P/N would I be looking for to replace it.

I don't find that parts houses know anything about them and they get more lost the more you ask.O'Reillys has a poor search function, in store and on line. The category doesn't exist for various parts, but if you know a compatible manufacturer P/N, you can pull up the part on their site. I also had a Baxter Auto Parts counter person say there were 2 different options for u-joints on the front driveshaft AND there was no cardan joint on that shaft until 1995 because his computer AND his printed book said so. (what ever happened to the-customer-just-may-know-what-he-is-talking-about-and-you-should-listen). I wondered if I plopped the driveshaft down on his parts counter, if his computer would change it's mind.

 

[Tony H]

I seem to remember there is a certain order in which the u-joint sets have to be removed when rebuilding the cardan unit. I see the rubber cup is split and I should replace that too. Can this be accomplished without having to get a whole new unit and what manufacturer P/N would I be looking for to replace it.

I don't find that parts houses know anything about them and they get more lost the more you ask.O'Reillys has a poor search function, in store and on line. The category doesn't exist for various parts, but if you know a compatible manufacturer P/N, you can pull up the part on their site. I also had a Baxter Auto Parts counter person say there were 2 different options for u-joints on the front driveshaft AND there was no cardan joint on that shaft until 1995 because his computer AND his printed book said so. (what ever happened to the-customer-just-may-know-what-he-is-talking-about-and-you-should-listen). I wondered if I plopped the driveshaft down on his parts counter, if his computer would change it's mind.

The options for the Joints were smaller and larger, I believe the smaller size was for the Ranger even though they state they were on the 'X'. I just did these about 4 weeks ago. on my '91. Correct size #371 (1 3/16) NOT #436 (1 1/16)
I separated the 'U' joint from the axle first, Then knocked it out of the Spindle side. I do not see why it would matter.
I bet when you said Cardan, He was thinking Double Cardan ( CV)
Saturn, I guess you are a fan? I know nothing about them other than my son's Girl Friend has been putting around in an ION. Little toy Oil Filter insert.

 

[1993Saturn]

I think that I have lead you astray on what I am referring to, due to my providing inadequate information in my initial post.. I am talking about the forward drive shaft from the transfer case to the front differential. It has the Double Cardan joint. That Double Cardan is what I was asking about the disassembling.

Aside on that, you mentioned my Saturn. It has been through a lot, yet keeps going. 3 accidents and 3 occurences. One was my son that lost control on a curve, did a 360 without rollover. Another was when, unbenounced to us, went baja-ing and won, only to rip over a small pine tree, bend stabilizer, ripped out radiator and a nice big gouge through the front floor pan then drive several miles back home on zero coolant. Another was my driving down I-5 in scorching California while blowing oil out the valve cover because I left the cap on top of it, not in it. Right now I have drilled out the 8 million spotwelds to remove the rear clip and then spotweld on a donor replacement (thanks to a scatterbrained 17-year old kid that rearended me) PLUS, I am putting the Explorer back on the road.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

theyre a bit of a pain. you have to take the u joints out similar to the way you would normally, but theres a spring and a ball in the middle of the 2 that keep outward force on the whole thing. see if this helps you visualize it.

start with the most outward boud (to the right in both pictures) universals and use a pry bar to taske the spring pressure off the joint. its like way easier to show then explain in text. maby someone else can put it to words better

 

[1993Saturn]

So, is this what I do First: punch out the open yoke u-joint on the right through the centering yoke then the open yoke will come free? I tried compressing the ball stud spring and didn't get enough clearance to remove the bearing caps nestled in the open yoke.

SuRrEaLNJ, like the pic and diagram. Visuals have always been valuable ever since first grade!

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

if you pry between the open yolk and that u joint trunion ou should gain enough clearance to slide the caps on the opne side off, and then everything gets easier from there