Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 198

CENTER BEARING ADJUSTMENT

Drive away shudder is a vibration that occurs at

first acceleration from a stop. Shudder vibration usu-
ally peaks at the engines highest torque output.
Shudder is a symptom associated with vehicles using
a two-piece propeller shaft. To decrease shudder,
lower the center bearing in 1/8 inch increments. Use
shim stock or fabricated plates. Plate stock must be
used to maintain compression of the rubber insulator
around the bearing. Do not use washers. Replace the
original bolts with the appropriate increased length
bolts.

SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL
JOINTS

DISASSEMBLY

NOTE: The following procedure is described for a
propeller shaft equipped with only a cardan joint in
the tube yoke. If the propeller shaft is equipped
with a companion yoke, simply repeat the following
steps to remove the cardan joint from the compan-
ion yoke after removing the cardan joint from the
tube yoke.

Individual components of cardan universal joints

are not serviceable. If worn or leaking, they must be
replaced as an assembly.

(1) Remove the propeller shaft.
(2) Using a soft drift, tap the outside of the bear-

ing cap assembly to loosen snap ring.

(3) Remove snap rings from both sides of yoke

(Fig. 15).

(4) Set the yoke in an arbor press or vise with a

socket whose inside diameter is large enough to
receive the bearing cap positioned beneath the yoke.

(5) Position the yoke with the grease fitting, if

equipped, pointing up.

(6) Place

socket

with

outside

diameter

smaller than the upper bearing cap on the upper
bearing cap and press the cap through the yoke to
release the lower bearing cap (Fig. 16).

(7) If the bearing cap will not pull out of the yoke

by hand after pressing, tap the yoke ear near the
bearing cap to dislodge the cap.

(8) To remove the opposite bearing cap, turn the

yoke over and straighten the cross in the open hole.
Then, carefully press the end of the cross until the
remaining bearing cap can be removed (Fig. 17).

CAUTION: If the cross or bearing cap are not
straight during installation, the bearing cap will
score the walls of the yoke bore and damage can
occur.

Fig. 15 Snap Ring

1 - SNAP RING

Fig. 16 Press Out Bearing

1 - PRESS
2 - SOCKET

3 - 10

PROPELLER SHAFT

CENTER BEARING (Continued)

ASSEMBLY

(1) Apply extreme pressure (EP) N.L.G.I. Grade 1

or 2 grease to inside of yoke bores to aid in installa-
tion.

(2) Position the cross in the yoke with its lube fit-

ting, if equipped, pointing up (Fig. 18).

(3) Place a bearing cap over the trunnion and

align the cap with the yoke bore (Fig. 19). Keep the
needle bearings upright in the bearing assembly. A
needle bearing lying at the bottom of the cap will
prevent proper assembly.

(4) Press the bearing cap into the yoke bore

enough to install a snap ring.

(5) Install a snap ring.
(6) Repeat Step 3 and Step 4to install the opposite

bearing cap. If the joint is stiff or binding, strike the
yoke with a soft hammer to seat the needle bearings.

(7) Add grease to lube fitting, if equipped.
(8) Install the propeller shaft.

Fig. 17 Press Out Remaining Bearing

1 - CROSS
2 - BEARING CAP

Fig. 18 Cross In Yoke

1 - CROSS
2 - YOKE

Fig. 19 Install Bearing On Trunnion

1 - BEARING CAP
2 - TRUNNION

PROPELLER SHAFT

3 - 11

SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS (Continued)

HALF SHAFT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

HALF SHAFT

DESCRIPTION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

OPERATION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

HALF SHAFT

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

SPECIFICATIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

SPECIAL TOOLS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

AXLE SHAFT

REMOVAL

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

INSTALLATION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

CV BOOT

REMOVAL

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

INSTALLATION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

CV JOINT - OUTER

REMOVAL

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

INSTALLATION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

CV JOINT - INNER

REMOVAL

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

INSTALLATION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

HALF SHAFT

DESCRIPTION

The two constant velocity (C/V) drive shafts are

identical and interchangeable. They are comprised of
three major components (Fig. 1):

• An inner, tripod C/V joint

• A short, solid interconnecting shaft

• An outer, Rzeppa C/V joint with stub shaft
The inner tripod-joints are attached to the axle

shaft splines (Fig. 1). The outer joint is splined and
mates with the hub bearing on the knuckle.

The lubricant amounts included with replacement

rubber boots are different for inner and outer C/V
joints. Apply only the specified lubricant amount to
each C/V joint.

CAUTION: Proper C/V joint boot sealing is critical
for retaining the special lubricant. Prevent foreign
material from entering and contaminating the C/V
joints. Mishandling a C/V drive shaft can cause a
boot to be punctured or damage within the joints.
Always support both ends of the C/V drive shaft
during removal and installation to avoid damage.

When

replacing

C/V

drive

shaft

components,

ensure that only exact replacements parts are
installed.

OPERATION

The axle driveshafts are located on either side of

the differential and transmits power to the drive
wheels, while allowing for vertical movement in the
vehicle’s suspension.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HALF SHAFT

Check for grease in the vicinity of the inboard tri-

pod joint and outboard C/V joint; this is a sign of
inner or outer joint seal boot or seal boot clamp dam-
age. A light film of grease may appear on the right
inner tripod joint seal boot; this is considered normal
and should not require replacement of the seal boot.

NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION IN TURNS

A clicking noise and/or a vibration in turns could

be caused by one of the following conditions:

• Damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint seal

boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the loss
and/or contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint.

• Noise may also be caused by another component

of the vehicle coming in contact with the driveshafts.

CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION

This noise may be a result of one of the following

conditions:

• A torn seal boot on the inner or outer joint of the

driveshaft assembly which has allowed the C/V joint
to become damaged.

• A loose or missing clamp on the inner or outer

joint of the driveshaft assembly which has allowed
the C/V joint to become damaged.

• A damaged or worn driveshaft C/V joint.

SHUDDER OR VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION

This problem could be a result of:
• A worn or damaged driveshaft inner tripod joint.

• A sticking tripod joint spider assembly (inner tri-

pod joint only).

• Improper wheel alignment.

3 - 12

HALF SHAFT

Fig. 1 C/V Drive Shaft Components

HALF SHAFT

3 - 13

HALF SHAFT (Continued)

Content .. 196 197 198 199 ..