Drive shaft removal?

Hello, I'm Danny.

Here is a quick tutorial showing the basics on how to remove a driveshaft:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-drive-shaft

I've also attached step by step picture instructions below for your vehicle.Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Thank you so very much.

You're welcome!
Let us know how things turn out.Hope this helped and please use us again in the future for any other questions.

Danny-

With the lack of special tool can you simply pull it or pry it out?

Hello again.

Personally I would use some sort of a long pry bar.Something long in length to use as leverage to pry it out.It shouldn't be that hard to remove. Hope this helps and let me know how things turn out. I've attached a picture below of what I would use.Let me know if you have any further questions about this issue and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

My driveshaft broke at the U-joint for my vehicle listed above LT. I can't seem to find a universal joint for it without buying the whole driveshaft. Any recommendations?

I don't think they are available as a repair part, only as the complete shaft assembly. Factory only shows the complete shaft as does the aftermarket sources I have. The only item that comes up as replaceable is the entire shaft or the center support bearing.
If you can get the old joint out you may be able to take it to a place like a NAPA or a bearing supply house and they may be able to match it to a replacement part.

Okay, so I was correct in thinking I had to buy a whole shaft, by online sources anyways. Do I need special tools to remove the joint? It looks like the joint split in half.

Should be held in with clips, remove the clips and use a U-Joint press to remove it. You can remove the rest of the shaft without losing any fluids and make it easier to work on it. I would check the center bearing for issues as well. Joints rarely fail that way without some external forces. It could be the center bearing is locking up and twisted it off.
The carrier bearing is at least available as a replacement so if you matched the U-Joint up you could re-use the shaft. If you go that route, please post the part number of the U-Joint you find. That could be real helpful for others.

We are having problems taking apart the yoke to replace the carrier bearings in our vehicle. Everything has gone smoothly with this repair until now. The yoke has a weird looking gear with a metal snap ring. I was really expecting a bolt with a washer. please help?

you need snap ring pliers to remove the yoke then a new one to replace it then yoke has to be pressed off as well as center support bearing. see pictures.

Thank you very much!

Would a 20 ton press push the yoke out of the drive shaft?

I do not see why not, it is not pressed on that tight.

Okay, now that we have our marks on the spindle and yoke, what is the best way to press the yoke back into place on the driveshaft?

By the way, the yoke was super, super seized up, but eventually it broke loose. I am guessing it will be the same putting it back together. By the way thank you again for the illustrations. They were a huge help getting this far!

make sure driveshaft is not scored where bearing was you will need a tool to push the yoke that sits around driveshaft and rests on yoke. something large enough to not damage driveshaft also lube up spline prior to pushing on . piece of pipe would probably work.

I pulled out a drive shaft to replace the center bearing. I marked the front drive shaft where it attaches to the transmission. I made a rookie mistake and did not mark it long enough and it rubbed off during the procedure. I have tried several different ways to reinstall it so the bearings and the grooved slip yoke line up to the transmission side but like a previous user I get a grinding or click sound when it goes in to drive. Is there only one way this can be reinstalled to be right? I can get the bearings and cage to stay seated on the slip yoke when installing but I don't think the grooves on the slip yoke and transmission are lining up correctly. Do I just keep pulling it out and rotate the drive shaft until I get the right combination? There are six bolts so it has to be one of those combinations, right?

Driveshaft is finished and back on the vehicle. Makes a big difference. Thank you for your help!

You must line up the U joints so they match the rear shaft at 90 degrees in other words the U joints must be lined up from the front shaft to the rear shaft.

Here are some diagrams (below) to help you get the problem fixed.

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken

Hey Hmac300 is one of our best, nice post btw! please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Best, Ken

AWD equinox the slip yoke which bolts up to the transmission fell off i made a rookie mistake i have the bearing and the bearing cage how do i align the drive shaft back up to the transmission. i cannot get the bearings to stay in the cage. please help me !

Check the diagram you will need a pair of snap ring pliers to get the C clip off so the yoke with slide off then you can press the bearing on. Check the diagrams below.

component 2 and 3 the shaft slipped out of the flex booth and all the 6 roller ball bearings and the race fell out

Our database does not have the repair instruction for this so i do not know the exact design of the race used.

The center race can be flipped in the opposite direction while reinstalling but it is not interchangeable and if not correctly installed would result in minimal or restricted flexibility.

Can you post some pictures so I can explain how it is done?

i cannot get pictures but ill try my very best to explain. the drive shaft came out of the boot it has a race and it has ball bearings. The end of the driveshaft has a swirl on it. The drive shaft seperated from the flange that bolts onto the transmission. Ive tried putting it back in but it will not lock the driveshaft to turn the rear wheels. have you ever experienced anything like this?

I have done this on other makes but not on this, that is the reason I need pictures to understand the problem better.

If the bearings and races are not correctly installed, the joint would not work correctly.

After installation, the flange and shaft should turn as a unit, with sufficient flexibility.

At the flange side, the center portion should have a cap, it could be pressed in. Remove the cap and install the bearings so thay they move freely in their seats and you can flex the joint slightly. After ensureing everything is in order and you have sufficient grease, close the cap and reinstall.

pics

it looks pretty simple but its not. Its a locking type of driveshaft. i put the race on the drive shaft then i put the balls in used alot of grease i put it into the end of the transmission but the race gets caught inside of the cover of the drive shaft

What is component number 6 in the schematic?

That is the flange(yoke) for the U-joints.

The Flange (yoke) as per the schematic is number 11, I’m looking at part number 6 that connects to the driveshaft on splines and has a retainer clip.

Yes, 11 is the flange. 6 and 11 are also both yokes for the u-joint.

11 is for installation to the differential whereas 6 is for connecting shaft 1 and 9 into 1 piece.

How do I remove the flange yoke to replace the carrier bearing?

You must remove the C clip #5 to remove the yoke then the carrier bearing will need to be pressed off. Here is a guide to help you see how to use the press.

https://youtu.be/_FzmmBoa4Tg

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

I was able to heat up the yoke and then use a press to get it off! Thank you for the help!
Now hopefully I can align the driveshaft back in the right way?

Installing should be an easier job than removal. So how did it go?

Reinstalling the shaft you will be fine, cross pattern, take a picture of it and upload it here and I can tell you what you need to know and see if its correct.

KHLOW2008 Do you have a part number for part number 2?
Thank you

Car is up on jack stands (all four wheels) rear driveshaft spins, but not the tires (in gear) all four tires should rotate if they are off the ground right?