Replacing the cross of the cardan shaft Gazelle

Owners of a gazelle and saber 4x4 car, as well as other cars where torque is transmitted through a cardan drive, from time to time face the problem of a cardan shaft cross (hinge) breaking. Naturally, in such a situation, it is recommended to replace it. Such a detail as a cardan gazelle, although it is quite large in size, has such a simple design that any non-professional can repair it.

Removing the crosspiece

Cardinal joint Gazelle

The process for removing the driveshaft cross is similar for most vehicles. According to the scheme that will be described below, you can disassemble it from both a gazelle car and a 4x4 saber. The removal of the hinges installed on Saber 4x4 vehicles will be slightly different, on the front axle, and not on the CV joint, as there will be a slightly different removal of the forks themselves.

So, first you need to clean the driveshaft of the gazelle from dirt and dust, and then disassemble it. You can find a lot of information on how to remove the driveshaft from a gazelle or saber 4x4 car, so we will not describe this operation, but remember that before disassembling and disassembling the driveshaft, mark all mating elements with paint or a chisel. This is necessary in order to subsequently place all the parts in the same places during assembly as before disassembly, thus avoiding possible imbalance.

Next, proceed to the removal of the hinge:

• With a hammer, lightly tap on the cups of the needle bearings, this is necessary so that they settle a little and thus relieve the pressure on the retaining rings;
• Using a screwdriver or pliers, depending on how you prefer, the retaining rings are removed;
• The needle bearing glass is removed from the fork with a vice or press; to facilitate the procedure, it is better to use a cartridge from a piece of pipe or head of the same size as the glass;
• The cardan turns 180 degrees and the second glass is pressed in, the easiest way to do this is by tapping the cross through the cartridge;
• The fork and end caps of the bearings are removed;
• In the same way, the rest of the bearings are pressed in and the cross is removed.

Of course, there are situations when it is quite difficult to remove the cross from the cardan shaft, and the replacement of the hinge is required, and not its repair. In this case, to facilitate the procedure, it is worth filing it with an ordinary grinder, and then it will be much easier to get the glass.

It is worth noting the fact that when replacing one hinge, it is necessary to replace the second one, on the back of the cardan shaft.

This applies not only to Gazelle and Sobol cars, 4x2 and 4x4 wheel schemes - this rule is absolutely for all cases.

Mounting the cross

Repair of the cross of the cardan shaft Gazelle

Installation is much easier as all of our components are already clean and generously lubricated.

Let's start the procedure:

• The free tip of the cross is inserted into the eye of the fork, which is located behind the oiler, and the opposite tip with the bearing and retaining ring already installed is inserted into the opposite eye;
• The bearing is inserted into the eye of the fork and put on the free tip of the cross;
• After making sure that both bearings are aligned with the holes in the fork, and the pivot is clamped in a vise;
• The process of pressing the bearing is carried out until the lock washer contacts the fork eye;
• The second retaining ring is mounted on the opposite bearing;
• Repeat the procedure for the second half of the loop.

Once again, we remind you not to forget about the pre-applied markings and collect according to them.

Well, the replacement of the hinges is completed, and you can install the gazelle suspension in its place.