drivetrain

U-Joint

for 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83 · RWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.3 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Replace universal joints (U-joints) on the driveshaft of a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 5.3L V8 engine.

Warnings

⚠️Vehicle must be securely supported on jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.

⚠Mark all driveshaft components before disassembly to maintain proper phasing and balance. Incorrect reassembly will cause severe vibration.

⚠Keep face and hands clear when pressing U-joint caps as they may suddenly release under pressure.

ℹ️Inspect all U-joints while driveshaft is removed. Replace all worn joints to avoid repeating this job.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

15mm socket and ratchetEssential

13mm socket and ratchetEssential

Torque wrench (0-150 Nm range)Essential

U-joint press or C-clamp with socketsEssential

Hammer and brass drift

Needle nose pliers or snap ring pliersEssential

Wire brush

Marking pen or paint markerEssential

Safety glassesEssential

Shop towels

Parts

Driveshaft U-joint (front and/or rear as needed) × 2 — Spicer 5-153X or equivalent
U-joint strap bolts (if reusing is not recommended) × 8 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Place wheel chocks at front wheels
Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame rails
Ensure adequate clearance to remove driveshaft from underneath vehicle
Inspect driveshaft for damaged or worn U-joints by checking for play or rough rotation

Procedure

1
Mark driveshaft orientation
Use marking pen to make alignment marks on driveshaft yoke and differential pinion flange, and on driveshaft slip yoke and transmission extension housing. These marks ensure correct phasing during reinstallation to prevent vibration.
2
Remove rear driveshaft bolts
Remove the four bolts securing the rear U-joint straps to the differential pinion flange using 15mm socket. Support the driveshaft while removing the final bolts to prevent it from dropping.
⚠Support driveshaft weight before removing final bolts to prevent damage to transmission seal or universal joint.
Torque spec
Driveshaft U-Joint Straps20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
3
Remove driveshaft from vehicle
Slide driveshaft rearward to disengage slip yoke from transmission output shaft. Lower driveshaft and remove from underneath vehicle. Keep driveshaft level to avoid spilling residual transmission fluid from slip yoke. Plug transmission extension housing with shop towel or plastic cap to prevent fluid loss.
4
Secure driveshaft for disassembly
Mount driveshaft in a vise or secure it on workbench. Clean U-joint area with wire brush to remove dirt and debris. Mark the yoke ears relative to the driveshaft tube to maintain proper phasing during reassembly.
5
Remove U-joint snap rings
Using snap ring pliers or needle nose pliers, remove the internal snap rings (circlips) from all four bearing cap grooves in the yoke. Keep track of snap rings for potential reuse if in good condition. Note that some U-joints use external snap rings instead.
6
Press out U-joint bearing caps
Position U-joint press or C-clamp with appropriately sized sockets on one bearing cap. Press the cap through the yoke ear until the opposite cap protrudes enough to grip with pliers. Remove protruding cap, then reverse press direction to remove the first cap. Repeat for remaining two caps. Use brass drift and hammer if necessary to tap caps free, but avoid striking U-joint cross directly.
⚠Apply steady even pressure when pressing caps. Sudden release can cause injury or damage to yoke ears.
7
Remove U-joint cross and clean yoke
Once all four caps are removed, extract the U-joint cross from the yoke. Thoroughly clean the yoke bore and snap ring grooves with wire brush and solvent. Inspect yoke ears for cracks, elongation, or damage. Replace yoke if any damage is found.
8
Install new U-joint cross
Remove one bearing cap from new U-joint. Position U-joint cross into yoke, aligning it with your phasing marks. Start one bearing cap by hand into the yoke ear, ensuring needle bearings remain in place. Press cap partially into yoke until cross can be held in position.
ℹ️Ensure needle bearings do not fall out of caps during installation. Some U-joints come with retaining clips that must be removed after installation.
9
Install remaining bearing caps
Install opposite bearing cap, ensuring U-joint cross is centered in yoke. Use U-joint press or C-clamp to press both caps evenly until snap ring grooves are visible on both sides. Install snap rings in grooves. Repeat process for remaining two caps, ensuring free rotation of U-joint cross after snap rings are installed.
10
Verify U-joint installation
Check that all four snap rings are fully seated in their grooves. U-joint cross should rotate smoothly in all directions without binding. If binding occurs, tap yoke ears lightly with hammer while supporting opposite side to relieve any binding. Verify U-joint caps are flush or slightly recessed from yoke surface.
11
Reinstall driveshaft
Remove plug from transmission extension housing. Apply thin coat of ATF to slip yoke splines. Slide slip yoke into transmission output shaft, aligning marks made during removal. Rotate driveshaft if necessary to engage splines. Push slip yoke fully into transmission until ears clear pinion flange.
12
Connect driveshaft to differential
Align driveshaft yoke with pinion flange using alignment marks made during removal. Install U-joint straps and bolts. Tighten bolts evenly in a cross pattern to specified torque. Ensure U-joint caps are properly seated in strap saddles before tightening.
⚠Tighten strap bolts evenly to prevent binding or distorting U-joint caps. Do not overtighten.
Torque spec
Driveshaft U-Joint Straps20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
13
Verify installation and lower vehicle
Rotate driveshaft by hand to check for smooth operation and any unusual noise or binding. Verify all bolts are properly torqued and snap rings are secure. Check transmission fluid level and top off if necessary. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle to ground.

Reassembly

Ensure alignment marks on driveshaft match those made during disassembly to maintain proper phasing
Tighten U-joint strap bolts evenly in cross pattern to prevent cap distortion
Verify driveshaft rotates freely without binding before test driving

Verification

Test drive vehicle at various speeds (15-65 mph) to verify no vibration is present
Listen for any clicking, clunking, or grinding noises during acceleration and deceleration
Recheck U-joint strap bolt torque after first 50 miles of driving
Verify no transmission fluid leaks at extension housing seal

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