Hi all;


I have a 2004 4wd 4dr. Blazer. The u-joints on the rear shaft are 1 1/8 x 1 1/8 caps and 3 11/16 yoke length. Can't find internal or external snap rings holding the caps in. There appears to be like pins sticking out of the cap retainers. Looking on line for replacements shows snap rings internal or external. I'm confused, what am I missing ? Thanks for any and all help.

 

The factory U-joint caps are held on with injected plastic that needs to be heated with a torch and cooked out. A propane torch is hot enough and it comes out that little hole where you see a pin. To save a long drawn out explanation that may not make sense I suggest you watch some you tube videos. They're worth more than a thousand words.

 

Yup what rusty said. Get a torch (i've done several with a simple little blue propane torch from home depot so don't let anyone tell you you can't) and put the heat to the caps. once they start getting hot it will slowly ooze out for a bit until they reach the magic temp and then they spew out and look like the little snakes you get at fireworks stands so keep the heat on until that happens. Then repeat on the rest until you have them all cleared out after that you can press them out or if you don't have a press I just use a hammer, a long 3/4" socket and a short 1" or 1 1/4" black poo pipe coupler to let the caps fall into and fully support the yokes on the shaft so they won't bend or break. Once removed you install the new snap rings in the groove where the injected plastic once was. Also be sure to wear safety glasses for all of this I have had a couple small explosions when heating the plastic lol!

 

Thanks, Rusty Nuts;
I appreciate the quick answer to my dilemma. I'm guessing I'll have to take it to a shop for replacement . Thanks again !

 

No need to go to a shop for this repair. The other thing I forgot is to have a rubber glove on hands and ready to slide over the tail shaft on the trans or tcase immediately after removing the driveshaft so you won't spill trans fluid all over the place.

 

Thanks to rexmburns, Rusty Nuts, and any others that may answer, I now have the info to do the job myself. I have a very well equipped shop with all the props. Being a lover of things old, this is my first venture with a vehicle of the new century. I hope in the future I my be of help to this forum also.

 

No sweat! Post up and let us know how it went!