Universal Joint: Description and Operation

UNIVERSAL JOINT DESCRIPTION

The universal joint is connected to the propeller shaft. The universal joint consists of 4 caps with needle bearings and with grease seals. The caps and the seals are mounted on the trunnions of a cross or of a spider. The bearings and the caps are greased at the factory. No periodic maintenance is required. Two universal joints are used in a one-piece propeller shaft. Three universal joints are used in a two-piece propeller shaft. The bearings and the caps are pressed into the yokes. The bearings and the caps are held in place with snap rings, except for 2 bearings on some models. These bearings on some models are attached to the pinion flange of the differential. Universal joints handle the effects of various loads and of rear axle windup conditions during acceleration and braking. The universal joint operation is efficient and safe within the designed angle variations. When the design angle is exceeded, the operational life of the joint decreases.