Jeep Grand Cherokee models have universal joints, or U-joints, at the ends of their front and rear drive axles.The universal joints essentially transfer the movement from the drive axle to the wheels while simultaneously allowing the suspension and axle to move up and down while the drive axle is spinning and the gas is engaged. Indications of worn or damaged U-joints include squealing, squeaking, popping or whining noises, and feeling shaking from the universal joints. If you are noticing any of these indicators, check and replace the U-joints immediately to prevent damage to the drive line.
Set the jack below the mid-differential at the front end of your Jeep. Lift the jeep off the ground with the jack and place the jack stands behind the front wheels. Lower your Jeep with the jack and set it off to the side.
Put the transmission in neutral and release the parking brake. Locate and remove the retention bolts that secure the drive shaft to your Jeep, with the wrenches. There are four bolts on the front differential and four additional bolts on the transfer case. Remove the straps from the front U-joint caps. Seperate the universal joint and drive shaft from the yoke. Use the chalk to draw a line going from the drive shaft to the axle yoke to the differential.
Set the drain pan below the transfer case to collect any runoff oil. Pull the drive shaft forward until it leaves the transfer case. Move the drive shaft to a more open work space.
Push the tabs on the retaining clips for the two front U-joint caps together with the pliers. Pull them out of the yoke. Open the U-joint press over both joint caps, with the open end on top of one cap and the end of the screw atop the remaining cap. Twist the screw counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the cap pops out of the drive shaft yoke.
Flip the press over to reverse its position, use the same procedure you used in the previous step to push the remaining cap out of the drive shaft yoke. Repeat this procedure to remove the caps from the new universal joint. Insert the new U-joint into the yoke and set the new caps into the correlating holes on the yoke. Push the caps down through the holes with the hammer and press them down completely with the universal joint press. Snap the new retaining clips into the open slots on the yoke so they sit over the two caps.
Insert the grease fitting into the replacement universal joint and fill it with grease. Use the lines you drew in chalk earlier to align the driveshaft with the yoke. Slide the front of the drive shaft back into the transfer case of the transmission. Lift the back end of the drive shaft and move it into the differential yoke, lining up the splines on the drive shaft with the grooves in the differential yoke. Secure the four retention bolts with the wrenches.
Install your new straps over the U-joint. Put the four remaining bolts back through the straps and into the yoke by twisting them clockwise with a wrench until they are completely secure. Pull the jack stands and the drain pan out from under the Jeep. Lower your Jeep to the ground with the jack.
