NOTE: To perform this operation, you'll need Mitsubishi Tool
MB990840–01 (or an equivalent large C-clamp) and a small collar designed
to fit against the yoke and accept the pressed out bearing cups.
- Scribe mating marks on the yokes of each joint that is to be disassembled.
Joints must be assembled in the same position to maintain driveshaft balance.
- Remove the snaprings from all four positions of the joint. Situate the collar
against one side of the yoke so it is perfectly lined up with the hole in
the yoke and will accept the bearing cup from that side. Place the flat bottom
of the C-clamp under the collar and then screw the upper portion downward
against the top of that same yoke cross-shaft.
- Turn the C-clamp screw handle to press the cross-shaft out. Remove the bearing
cups and bearings from that cross-shaft. It's best to turn the unit so the
closed end of the cup is at the bottom for retention of the needle bearings
when you do this.
WARNING
Do not tap the journal bearings to remove them, as this will upset the balance
of the propeller (drive) shaft.
- Repeat this step for the other cross-shaft. You can then separate the two
yokes of the joint and remove the cross-shaft assembly.
| Fig. 1: Universal joint disassembly and reassembly
components — all Pick-up trucks and Monteros similar
|
| Fig. 2: Use the Mitsubishi tool MB990840 for front
driveshaft and MB991410 for rear driveshaft U-joints
|
| Fig. 3: Remove the snaprings from the universal joints
during removal — all models similar
|
To assemble:
- Apply multipurpose grease (SAE J310a NLGI grade #2 EP) to the journal outer
diameters, ends, and reservoirs on all four arms of the cross-shaft. Apply
grease also to the lips of the dust seals in the ends of the bearing cups
and to the needles. All parts should be thoroughly coated, but excess grease
may make the unit hard to assemble.
- Place a bearing cup, open end inward, on opposite sides of one of the forks.
Place the C-clamp around the cups without the collar. Center the cross-shaft
assembly so the bearing cups will be assembled around two of the journals
as they are pressed into the yoke. Turn the C-clamp until the bearing cups
are pressed in with room for a snapring on either side. Line up the mating
mark for the two yokes and then repeat the procedure for the other cross-shaft
and yoke.
| Fig. 4: Depending on which driveshaft the U-joints
are being replaced, depends on the location of the snaprings
|
| Fig. 5: Measure the clearances of the snaprings — if
the clearance is larger than 0.0024 in. (0.06mm) replace the snaprings
with new ones
|
- Install the snapring on one side with snapring pliers. Install the collar
over the side of the yoke onto which you've installed the snapring. Then install
the C-clamp with the bottom against the collar and the lower end of the screw
over the top of the upper bearing cup.
- Turn the clamp to seat the outside of the cup against the snapring on one
side. Install a snapring on the other side. Measure the clearance between
the outside surface of the second snapring and the outer wall of the groove
which retains the snapring in the yoke. If the clearance is more than 0.0024
in. (0.06mm), replace both snaprings with new ones.
WARNING
Always use snaprings of equal thicknesses on both sides.
