Slack on/play on slip yoke

Erickk120 · Oct 8, 2019

Just a few questions for you 4wd guys, Do you have slack on your slip yoke when you gas it at high speeds? By that I mean, lets say you are cruising at 70 mph then you let off and then you just stab the gas do you get a clunk? I've started noticing this but I cant remember if it was there before.

Second question do you have slip yoke radial play where it splines? I have some movement before it engages the splines and hear a thump, best way to describe it is like the play you have in the rear end, when you turn it and the slack is taken out from the spider gear and ring and pinion if that makes sense.

I'm asking this because I noticed my Tcase seal started leaking and I just started getting this funny vibration at high speeds, 70+ and it keeps on getting worse the faster I go. Ujoints are fine, when I coast its even worse, It not the tires as I've only experience this floor board vibration when the DS is not doing too hot. I have one of those early slip yokes that pop and bind when you hit the brakes to a stop.

Just thought I'd ask before I get into it, its not hubs or cv shafts, I replaced those weeks ago when I decided to level the truck. Thanks in advance!

swathdiver · Oct 8, 2019

Erickk120 said:
Just a few questions for you 4wd guys, Do you have slack on your slip yoke when you gas it at high speeds? By that I mean, lets say you are cruising at 70 mph then you let off and then you just stab the gas do you get a clunk? I've started noticing this but I cant remember if it was there before.

Second question do you have slip yoke radial play where it splines? I have some movement before it engages the splines and hear a thump, best way to describe it is like the play you have in the rear end, when you turn it and the slack is taken out from the spider gear and ring and pinion if that makes sense.

I'm asking this because I noticed my Tcase seal started leaking and I just started getting this funny vibration at high speeds, 70+ and it keeps on getting worse the faster I go. Ujoints are fine, when I coast its even worse, It not the tires as I've only experience this floor board vibration when the DS is not doing too hot. I have one of those early slip yokes that pop and bind when you hit the brakes to a stop.

Just thought I'd ask before I get into it, its not hubs or cv shafts, I replaced those weeks ago when I decided to level the truck. Thanks in advance!

There's a bearing back there and a crush sleeve in the tail of the transfer case that could be wore out. You'd have to pull the DS and maybe even the seal to see in there.

No, mine does not clunk at high speed when you gun it.

mattbta · Oct 8, 2019

If it pops/binds when you come to a stop, pull the driveshaft out and clean then grease the splines. I was chasing a clunk at a stop and over bumps and ended up getting a whole rear end rebuild when all that was necessary was greasing the splines. (Clunk came back 5-6 months after the rebuild, I greased it up and it's been silent for a couple months now. Will see how long it lasts but not terribly worried since it takes less than a half hour to do. Watch my video before the fix and see how much movement there is in the DS. I'm 2WD so I couldn't use the newer upgraded nickel slip yoke.

I have a bad vibration when downshifting and in the powerband at highway speeds too. I'm attributing it to the torque convertor which is probably covered in oil due to my slow rear main leak.

Scottydoggs · Oct 8, 2019

id try greasing the splines, some have a zerk, some dont. if it dont take the drive shaft off, clean both sides of the spline shafts up, lather it up with high heat synthetic bearing grease. work it in and out till its smooth sliding, then bolt it back in. its on a spline shaft so it can move, yours sounds very dry. the front shaft to diff also gets dry splines. worth doing at the same time.

awesome vids too BTW. with out it we would all be guessing.

petethepug · Oct 8, 2019

I’ve got the same speed dependent vibe around 75. I was committed to having it balanced, lubed and a zerk installed next time it was in the shop. I’m at 135k mi.

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Scottydoggs · Oct 8, 2019

the front shaft has a TSB out there for years now. you come to a stop and the front end dips and stays down after you stopped. when you let the brakes go it makes a squawk sound. the TSB is under brake squawk. the fix is greasing them splines.

had it happen to my 03 gmc p/up. dealer acted like they didnt have a clue wtf it was. internet searches did tho lol fixed it my self.

Erickk120 · Oct 10, 2019

I will replace the slip yoke, for ujoints I will go with non greasable OE spicer joints as they seem to have the least chance to offset the balance, and appear well built.
I will keep you all updated when I get to it.

OR VietVet · Oct 10, 2019

Yes, please update as soon as you do the work. I am in a full on mode of doing some work to my 2002.

JonnyTahoe · Oct 15, 2019

mattbta said:
If it pops/binds when you come to a stop, pull the driveshaft out and clean then grease the splines. I was chasing a clunk at a stop and over bumps and ended up getting a whole rear end rebuild when all that was necessary was greasing the splines. (Clunk came back 5-6 months after the rebuild, I greased it up and it's been silent for a couple months now. Will see how long it lasts but not terribly worried since it takes less than a half hour to do. Watch my video before the fix and see how much movement there is in the DS. I'm 2WD so I couldn't use the newer upgraded nickel slip yoke.

I have a bad vibration when downshifting and in the powerband at highway speeds too. I'm attributing it to the torque convertor which is probably covered in oil due to my slow rear main leak.

JonnyTahoe · Oct 15, 2019

Great Video. Nice to see what's going on in real time. Mine is a RWD with the same issue.

Slack on/play on slip yoke

Erickk120

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swathdiver

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mattbta

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Scottydoggs

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petethepug

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Erickk120

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OR VietVet

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