How to Change a U Joint on a Toyota

Worn or loose U joints can be a death sentence for the drive line in your Toyota but luckily, they are easily changed with just a few tools. The U joints are located at each end of your drive shaft and ensure that the drive shaft does not bind when the axle travels up and down as you drive. They are pressed into the yokes and typically retained with circular clips on the caps. You can rent a U joint press at most auto parts stores if you do not have one.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Paint marker
• Wrench set
• Socket set
• Needle nose pliers
• Flat screwdriver
• U joint press
• Torque wrench
• Wire brush

1. • 1

     Jack up the vehicle under the axle housing. Support it with a set of jack stands and chock the wheels that are still on the ground with a block of wood or wheel chocks so that the truck doesn't move.

   • 2

     Scribe a line on the yoke and drive shaft on each end to use when reassembling the shaft. This will ensure the shaft is reinstalled in the same orientation and retains its proper balance.

   • 3

     Remove the four bolts on the retaining straps that holds the U joint into the transmission yoke. Pull back on the drive shaft and lower it out of the yoke.

   • 4

     Move to the rear and remove the four bolts that retain the U joint and straps into the differential yoke and pull the shaft loose. Move the drive shaft out from under the truck.

   • 5

     Locate the retaining clips on the outside of the U joint caps and remove them using a set of needle nose pliers. Sometimes the clips will stick in the grooves on the yoke and you will need to use a flat screwdriver to pry them loose.

   • 6

     Press the U joint out of the yoke using a U joint press. You will need to select a die for the press that will fit over the U joint cap from the kit. If you are not sure how to do this, check the directions in the kit for detailed instructions. Repeat this on step on the opposite end of the drive shaft.

   • 7

     Clean the area where the U joints fit into the drive shaft using a wire brush to remove any flakes or loose dirt. Use a small, flat screwdriver to clean out the groove for the retainer clips as well.

   • 8

     Remove the caps from the new U joint and insert the joint into the drive shaft. Insert the caps into the holes in the drive shaft and press them in with the U joint press until they slide over the bearing surfaces of the joint. You want these seated tightly so that you can get the retainers on.

   • 9

     Install the retaining clips on the outside of the U joint caps making sure they are fully seated in the grooves on the yoke. If they are not correct, they may come loose causing the U joint to come apart while driving and damaging the drive line.

   • 10

     Place the drive shaft back under the truck, align the yoke and drive shaft using the line you scribed on them earlier, and insert the U joint into the yoke on the transmission end. Reinstall the retaining straps and torque them to the manufacturers specifications.

   • 11

     Slide the U joint on the differential end into the differential yoke. If you need to, you can turn the wheels a little to get the yoke to line up. Reinstall the straps on the yoke to retain the U joints and torque to the manufacturers specifications.

   • 12

     Jack up the axle and remove the jack stands then lower the truck to the ground. Test drive the vehicle to ensure everything is functioning properly.