Replace Driveshaft U-Joint 2007 Chevy Equinox AWD

In the past I have changed front yoke universal joints on other vehicles I currently own a Chevy Equinox with universal joint back driveshaft all wheel drive. Could I change the equinox drive shaft same way? save money?

Yes. If all it needs is the U-joints and not the carrier bearing assembly as well. Apparently there is a common enough problem with these driveshafts that there are many aftermarket options. I looked one up for you in case you would prefer to replace the entire assembly including the carrier bearing as recommended. One part goes bad the other isn’t far behind if you know what I mean. Link: DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY compatible with 2007-2009 Chevy Equinox AWD.

How to Replace Driveshaft

1. Place transmission in neutral.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Index mark relationship of propeller shaft to rear drive module flange.
4. Remove bolts securing underbody guard loop.
5. Remove underbody guard loop.
6. Place a support under propeller shaft at rear drive module.
7. Remove bolts securing propeller shaft yoke flange to rear drive module flange.
8. Index mark relationship of propeller shaft to power take off unit (PTU) flange.
9. Place a support under propeller shaft at PTU.
10. Remove bolts securing propeller shaft to PTU flange.
11. Place a support under propeller shaft at support bearing.
12. Remove bolts securing propeller shaft support bearing to vehicle underbody.
13. While supporting propeller shaft, move propeller shaft rearward to disengage constant velocity joint from PTU flange.
14. Remove propeller shaft from vehicle.
15. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
    a. Torque rear propeller shaft guard loop to 19 ft. lbs.
    b. Torque rear propeller shaft support bearing to 19 ft. lbs.
    c. Torque rear propeller shaft to PTO unit to 19 ft. lbs.
    d. Torque rear propeller shaft to RDM to 37 ft. lbs.

How to Replace the Driveshaft U-Joint

Never clamp propeller shaft tubing in a vise. Clamping could dent or deform the tube causing an imbalance or unsafe condition. Always clamp on one of the yokes and support the shaft horizontally. Avoid damaging the slip yoke sealing surface. Nicks may damage the bushing or cut the lip seal.

DISASSEMBLE

1. Support propeller shaft in a line horizontal with table of a press.
2. Mark propeller shaft in order to show which end connects to transmission and which end goes to rear axle.
3. On models equipped with external snap ring retainers, proceed as follows:
   a. Disassemble snap rings by pinching ends together with a pair of pliers.
   b. If ring does not readily snap out of groove in yoke, tap end of cup lightly in order to relieve pressure from ring.
4. On all models, place universal joint so that lower ear of yoke is supported on a 30 mm (1-1/8 inch) hex head socket or a 27 mm (1-1/16 inch) socket.
5. Place U-joint bearing separator tool No. J9522-3 or equivalent on the open horizontal bearing cups. Press lower bearing cup out of yoke ear. Nylon-injected retaining rings will be sheared during this step.
6. If you do not completely remove bearing cup, lift cross and insert U-joint bearing spacer/remover tool No. J9522-5 or equivalent between seal and bearing cup you are removing. Continue pressing bearing cup out of yoke.
7. Rotate propeller shaft. Press opposite bearing cup out of yoke.
8. Mark orientation of slip yoke to tube for proper reassembly.
9. Remove cross from yoke.
10. Remove remaining universal joint parts from yoke.
11. If you are replacing front universal joint, remove bearing cups in slip yoke in same manner.
12. Inspect retaining ring grooves for dirt, corrosion, pieces of the old ring or sheared plastic.
13. Inspect bearing cup bores in yoke ears for burrs or imperfections.
14. Clean retaining ring grooves. Corrosion, dirt, rust, pieces of the old retaining ring or sheared plastic may prevent bearing cups from pressing into place or prevent bearing retainers from properly seating.
    ASSEMBLE
15. Remove bearing cups from universal joint.
16. Assemble one bearing cup part way into one side of yoke. Turn yoke ear toward bottom.
17. Assemble cross into yoke so that trunnion seats freely into bearing cup.
18. With trunnion seated in bearing cup, press bearing cup into yoke until bearing cup is flush with yoke ear.
19. Assemble opposite bearing cup part way into yoke ear.
20. Ensure that trunnions start straight and true into both bearing cups.
21. Press opposite bearing cup into yoke ear while working cross all the time in order to inspect for free unbinding movement of trunnions in bearing cups.
22. Press bearing cup into yoke until bearing cup retainer groove is visible over top of bearing cup. If there seems to be a hang up or binding, stop pressing. Inspect the needle bearings for misalignment in the bearing cup.
23. Assemble bearing retainer in retainer groove.
24. Continue pressing until both retainers can be snapped into place.
25. If retainer is difficult to seat, yoke can be sprung slightly with a firm blow from a dead blow hammer.
26. It may be necessary to lubricate snap ring with a slight amount of chassis grease so that snap ring seats in the bearing cup groove.
27. Torque rear propeller shaft guard loop to 19 ft. lbs.
28. Torque rear propeller shaft support bearing to 19 ft. lbs.
29. Torque rear propeller shaft to PTO unit to 19 ft. lbs.
30. Torque rear propeller shaft to RDM to 37 ft. lbs.