Operation: Most universal joints are held in place with a combination of pressed fit with a snap ring and either a bearing plate, bearing strap or a U-bolt. Advice: Most universal joints have two bearing caps pressed into the driveshaft and use a snap ring either on the inside or outside of the bearing cap to hold it in place. Some manufacturers use injected plastic instead of a snap ring. The injected plastic holds the cap in place under normal conditions but will break free when pressure is applied during the removal process. The replacement universal joint will use a snap ring instead of the injected plastic. The other two bearing caps are usually held in place by either a bearing plate, bearing strap or a U-bolt all of which can be removed with a normal ratchet and socket or wrench. Occasionally you will find all four bearing caps using the press fit method. In these cases two of the bearing caps will be pressed into a flange that unbolts from the differential or a slip yoke that slides off of the transmission tail shaft.
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