Can Am Renegade U Joint Replacement – Your Complete DIY Guide To Stop

Hear that annoying “clink” when you shift from park to drive? Feel a weird vibration under your seat that gets worse as you speed up? If you’re nodding along, chances are your Can-Am Renegade’s U-joints are crying for help.

Don’t let that sound intimidate you or sideline your machine. This is a classic wear-and-tear issue, and with the right guidance, you can absolutely tackle a can am renegade u joint replacement in your own garage.

We promise to walk you through the entire process, from diagnosing the problem to torquing the final bolt. In this complete guide from FatBoysOffroad, we’ll cover the symptoms to watch for, the tools you’ll need, the step-by-step replacement process, and pro tips to ensure your ride is smooth and reliable for miles to come.

Why U-Joints Fail and Signs Your Renegade Needs Help

Before we grab the wrenches, it’s crucial to understand what you’re fixing and be 100% sure the U-joint is the culprit. A misdiagnosis can waste a lot of time and money.

What Exactly is a U-Joint?

Think of a Universal Joint (U-joint) as the flexible “wrist” in your ATV’s driveline. It’s a cross-shaped component with four bearing caps that allows the driveshaft to spin and transfer power from the transmission to the differentials, even as the suspension moves up and down.

Without them, the solid driveshaft would bind up and break the first time you hit a bump. They are absolutely critical for a functioning 4×4 system.

Telltale Symptoms of a Bad U-Joint

A failing U-joint rarely dies silently. It will give you plenty of warning signs. Keep an ear and eye out for these common problems:

Clunking or Ringing Noise: A sharp “clink” or “ping” when shifting into drive or reverse is the classic sign. This is the sound of slack in the worn-out joint being taken up.
Vibrations: A vibration that starts at a certain speed (often around 20-30 mph) and gets worse as you accelerate is a huge red flag. You’ll feel it through the floorboards or seat.
Squeaking While Driving: A rhythmic, bird-chirping squeak that matches your wheel speed often points to a dry, failing U-joint bearing cap.
Visible Play: The most definitive test. Safely secure your Renegade on jack stands, put it in neutral, and grab the driveshaft. Try to twist it back and forth and push it up and down. Any noticeable play or clunking at the joint means it’s toast.

Gearing Up: Tools and Parts for the Job

Having the right tools makes all the difference between a frustrating afternoon and a successful repair. Here’s what you should gather before you start your can am renegade u joint replacement.

Essential Tools List

Most of these are standard garage tools, but a couple of specialty items will make your life much easier.

Safety Gear: Always start with safety glasses and gloves.
Jack and Jack Stands: Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Socket Set and Wrenches: You’ll need various metric sizes for the driveshaft bolts.
Torque Wrench: Critical for properly tightening bolts during reassembly.
Large Vise or a Ball Joint/U-Joint Press: This is the most important tool. A press is ideal, but a large, sturdy bench vise can work.
Sockets of Various Sizes: You’ll use one socket slightly smaller than the U-joint cap to press it out, and one slightly larger to receive it on the other side.
A Good Hammer: A small sledge or a heavy ball-peen hammer works well.
Snap Ring Pliers: Essential for removing the C-clips or snap rings holding the U-joint in place.
Wire Brush and Brake Cleaner: For cleaning the yokes before installing the new joint.
Grease Gun (if using greasable joints): To load the new joint with fresh grease.

Choosing the Right Replacement U-Joint

You have two main choices: OEM or quality aftermarket. Aftermarket brands like All Balls Racing or Moose Racing often offer heavy-duty, greasable options that can be more durable than the stock sealed units.

Greasable vs. Sealed: A sealed joint is fit-and-forget, but once the factory grease is gone, it’s on a countdown to failure. A greasable joint has a zerk fitting that allows you to pump in fresh grease periodically, flushing out water and grit. For off-roaders, this is a huge benefit and part of a good can am renegade u joint replacement care guide.

The Complete Can Am Renegade U Joint Replacement Guide: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get our hands dirty. This is your detailed how to can am renegade u joint replacement walkthrough. Take your time, be patient, and focus on doing it right.

Step 1: Safety First & Prep Work

Park your Renegade on a level surface. Chock the wheels that will remain on the ground. Jack up the end of the ATV you’re working on (front or rear) and securely place it on jack stands. Never get under the machine without jack stands.

Use a marker or paint pen to make alignment marks on the driveshaft and the yokes it connects to (at the differential and transmission/front diff). This ensures you reinstall it in the same orientation, which is crucial for driveline balance.

Step 2: Removing the Driveshaft

Using your socket set, carefully remove the four bolts holding the driveshaft to the yoke. You may need to put the ATV in gear or have a helper hold the brakes to keep the shaft from turning while you break the bolts loose.

Once the bolts are out, the driveshaft should slide free. Be prepared to support its weight. Take it over to your workbench.

Step 3: Pressing Out the Old U-Joint (The Hard Part)

This is where patience is key. First, use your snap ring pliers to remove the clips from all four bearing caps. They can be stubborn, so a little penetrating oil can help.

Now, set up your vise or press. Place a small socket (smaller than the cap) on one side of the U-joint cap. On the opposite side, place a large socket (larger than the cap) for the old cap to press into. Slowly tighten the vise. You will feel a lot of resistance, and then a “pop” as it breaks free. Press it until the opposing cap is pushed out.

Flip the driveshaft over, remove the pushed-out cap, and use the hammer and a punch to tap the cross back the other way, freeing the second cap. Repeat for the other axis of the U-joint.

FatBoysOffroad Pro-Tip: If a cap is seized, a little bit of heat from a propane torch on the yoke (NOT the cap itself) can help expand the metal and break it free. Use heat sparingly and carefully.

Step 4: Cleaning and Prepping the Yoke

With the old joint out, this is a critical step many people skip. Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to thoroughly clean the inside of the yoke bores where the new caps will sit. Any rust, dirt, or burrs can prevent the new joint from seating properly.

Step 5: Installing the New U-Joint (The Finesse Part)

This requires care to avoid damaging the new joint. Here are the can am renegade u joint replacement best practices:

Carefully remove two opposing caps from the new U-joint cross. Do not let the needle bearings fall out!
Place the cross into the driveshaft yoke.
Gently slide one cap back onto the cross from the outside of the yoke. Make sure all needle bearings stay in place.
Using your vise, slowly and squarely press the cap in just far enough to install the snap ring. If you feel it binding, stop! The cross is likely crooked, or a needle bearing has fallen.
Install the snap ring.
Press the opposing cap in the same way and install its snap ring. The joint should pivot smoothly but firmly. If it’s tight or notchy, a needle bearing has likely fallen out of place.
Repeat the process for the other axis of the U-joint.

Step 6: Reinstalling the Driveshaft

Take the rebuilt driveshaft back to your Renegade. Line up the marks you made earlier and slide it into place. Apply a drop of blue Loctite to the bolt threads and install them hand-tight.

Using your torque wrench, tighten the bolts to the manufacturer’s specified torque in a star pattern. This is crucial for safety and preventing vibrations.

Common Problems with Can Am Renegade U Joint Replacement

Even with a good guide, things can go wrong. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for.

Losing Needle Bearings: If even one of the tiny needle bearings inside the cap falls over during installation, the joint will fail very quickly. Be meticulous and double-check your work.
Damaging the Yoke: Using too much force with a hammer or pressing the joint in crooked can bend or damage the “ears” of the yoke, which is a much more expensive repair.
Forgetting to Grease It: If you installed a greasable U-joint, your job isn’t done! Use a grease gun to pump quality chassis grease into the zerk fitting until you see fresh grease just start to seep from all four seals. This is one of the most important can am renegade u joint replacement tips.

Post-Replacement Care and Best Practices

You’ve done the hard work; now make it last. Proper care is key to getting the most life out of your new parts.

The Importance of a Greasing Schedule

For greasable joints, a little maintenance goes a long way. After every few rides, especially if you’ve been through deep water or mud, give each zerk fitting a pump or two of grease. This purges contaminants and keeps everything lubricated.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Replacement Tips

Being an off-roader means respecting the environment. When performing a sustainable can am renegade u joint replacement, collect your old metal parts and take them to a local metal recycler instead of throwing them in the trash. Use a drip pan to catch any drips of penetrating oil and dispose of used shop rags and cleaners responsibly according to your local regulations. An eco-friendly can am renegade u joint replacement is about minimizing waste and contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Can Am Renegade U Joint Replacement

How often should I check my Renegade’s U-joints?

A good rule of thumb is to check them for play every time you change your oil or before a big trip. Grab the driveshaft and give it a wiggle. It takes 10 seconds and can save you from a major failure on the trail.

Can I drive with a bad U-joint?

You can, but you absolutely shouldn’t. A failing U-joint puts immense stress on other driveline components. If it fails completely at speed, the flailing driveshaft can destroy your transmission case, differential, or exhaust, turning a $50 repair into a $2,000 disaster.

What are the benefits of can am renegade u joint replacement?

The main benefits are restoring a smooth, vibration-free ride and ensuring driveline reliability. It prevents catastrophic failure, protects more expensive components, and gives you peace of mind on the trail. It’s one of the best preventative maintenance jobs you can do.

Tackling your own can am renegade u joint replacement is a hugely rewarding project. You’ll save a bundle on labor costs, learn more about your machine, and gain the confidence to handle future repairs. Take your time, stay safe, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

Now get out there and enjoy that smooth, quiet ride. Happy trails from all of us at FatBoysOffroad!

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Thomas Corle

Founder & Automobile expert at FatBoysOffroad

Automobile expert and off-road enthusiast, sharing in-depth knowledge of vehicles, gear, and adventures. Helping readers make smart decisions and enjoy the thrill of off-roading safely and confidently.