Replacing the universal joint, or U-joint, on the rear driveshaft of a Jeep Liberty, is a critical task that will keep the driveshaft turning with the correct force. The task takes about two hours to complete, depending on your automotive repair experience. While the front driveshaft also has universal joints, they cannot be serviced individually. The entire front driveshaft must be replaced to change failing universal joints.
Pry open the dust boot clamp with a screwdriver at the front of the driveshaft. Remove the boot once the clamp has been loosened. Not all models are equipped with a dust boot.
Mark the relationship of the driveshaft to the yoke with a marker. An easy method is to draw a straight line from the yoke to the driveshaft. Placing a mark will ensure the driveshaft is installed in the same manner it was removed.
Place a screwdriver through the yoke to prevent it from turning while removing the universal joint bolts on the end of the driveshaft. Temporarily remove the screwdriver and turn the wheels in order to rotate the driveshaft, making the universal joint bolts easier to access.
Lower the rear of the driveshaft and pull it away from the transfer case. Remove it from under the vehicle.
Wrap a plastic bag over the open end of the transfer case to prevent fluid from leaking.
Pull the snap rings from the universal joint with needle-nose pliers.
Place an equal-diameter socket over one of the bearing caps on the side of the universal joint. Place a slightly smaller socket on the bearing cap on the opposite side. Press the large socket to force the bearing cap from the yoke. Placing the joint in a vice is extremely useful for this step. Once the bearing cap is slightly away from the yoke, use pliers to completely remove it.
Place the sockets one the two sides of the remaining bearing cap and repeat the procedure to remove the bearing cap from the yoke.
Place bearing grease on the new universal joint bearings.
Position the universal joint back into the yoke, temporarily installing one of the bearing caps. Align the bearings, install the opposite cap and finish installing the opposite cap. Repeat this process for the two other bearing caps.
Squeeze the snap rings with needle-nose pliers to seat them into the universal joint.
Remove the plastic bag from the end of the transfer case.
Slide the front of the driveshaft into the end of the transfer case, aligning the previous marks made in Step Two. Slide the other end up and install the universal joint bolts with a torque wrench. Tighten the bolts to 156 inch-pounds.
Place the dust boot in position and crimp the boot clamp with a crimp tool, if it was previously removed in Step One.
