The Chevrolet Blazer uses two different types of U-joint assemblies. Most come from the factory with a nylon-injected assembly. These do not use snap-ring grooves, so removing them destroys the retainers and they cannot be reused. Replacement U-joints are not nylon-injected and use a snap-ring to hold them in place. The U-joint with the snap-ring is reusable, if you are removing the driveshaft for a reason other than replacing the U-joints.
Instructions
- 1
Raise the vehicle with the floor jack and support it with jack stands. Match-mark the driveshaft to the pinion flange. Remove the rear U-joint retainer, using the appropriate socket. Slide the drain pan under the rear of the transmission. Slide the driveshaft out of the transmission, then stuff rags in the tailhousing to prevent excessive fluid loss.
2Support the driveshaft horizontally with blocks of wood. Clamp the yokes of the U-joints with a soft-jawed vise. Remove the snap-rings from the yoke by pinching the ends together with pliers. If the snap-ring doesn't comes off easily, tap the end of the bearing cap lightly with the ball peen hammer to relieve pressure from the snap-ring.
3Support the propeller shaft horizontally in line with the base plate of a bench vise -- do not clamp the driveshaft tube, as you could dent it. Place the U-joint so the lower gear of the yoke is supported on 1-1/8-inch socket or pipe. Press the trunnion bearing against the socket to partially press it out of the yoke, using the cross-press tool. Grab the cap and work it out -- you may have to use the spacer -- to further push the bearing cap from the trunnion. Work the cap free. Repeat for the rest of the caps.
4Remove the trunnion from the driveshaft yoke. Lubricate the reservoir at the end of the trunnion. Insert the cross into the yoke so one trunnion seats freely in the bearing cap. Rotate the shaft so that this trunnion is on the bottom. Install the opposite bearing cap part way. Ensure that both trunnions are straight in the bearing caps.
5Press against the opposite bearing caps, working the cross constantly to ensure that the trunnions are free in the bearings. If you feel binding, check the needle rollers to make sure one of the needle bearings didn't fall out or become lodged sideways. When you can see one bearing retainer, stop pressing and install the retainer snap-ring. You may have to hit the yoke with a hammer to line up the seating of the bearing retainers.
6Press on the assembly until the opposite bearing retainer can be installed. Install the driveshaft and U-joint assemblies by lining up the match-marks and sliding the driveshaft into the transmission. Line up the rear U-joint to the rear axle pinion flange. Install the driveshaft-to-pinion fasteners. Tighten the fasteners to 15 foot-pounds of torque on 1994 to 1999 2.2-liter models and 1994 4.3-liter models. Tighten the fasteners to 33 foot-pounds of torque on 1995 through 1999 4.3-liter models.
