Output yoke grooves

[thedangerranger85]

Hi all, I am new to this forum so hopefully I am posting in the right place...

I just got done taking out my driveshafts to replace the center support bearing but noticed deepish grooves on the output yoke (hopefully I am using the correct terminology). The groove is 3/8 long and 1.5" from the end of the shaft - probably a couple thou deep. What might have caused this and is it absolutely necessary to replace the output yoke itself now? Thanks in advance - picture is included for reference.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Hi all, I am new to this forum so hopefully I am posting in the right place...

I just got done taking out my driveshafts to replace the center support bearing but noticed deepish grooves on the output yoke (hopefully I am using the correct terminology). The groove is 3/8 long and 1.5" from the end of the shaft - probably a couple thou deep. What might have caused this and is it absolutely necessary to replace the output yoke itself now? Thanks in advance - picture is included for reference.

Welcome to TRS! Yes, this is the welcome/introduction forum.

I’ll give my experience on this, although I am not a driveshaft expert and others will probably know better.
My opinion, as long as the groove isn’t where a bearing is riding, you should be fine mechanically in that aspect. I don’t believe there is a bearing on the OD of those 2wd yokes, just the splines on the insides. If it somehow is, I would replace the bearing and yoke.

Now, this is where I have real first hand experience. You may not have wear on a bearing surface, but that means that wear is from the output seal. I have dealt with this on the front CV axle seals on my 2003. I replaced both seals, which were leaking, but it still leaked. Turns out the groove worn into the CVs from 250k of use was way too deep to seal on, and I had to replace my CV axles to stop the leak.

So if it it’s not leaking, I wouldn’t worry about it. If it is, you can take your chances with just a seal (it may still seal even on the worn yoke) or both the seal and yoke for a guaranteed repair.

 

[19Walt93]

Does the yoke wobble when it's in place? There's a bushing in the extension housing inboard of the seal, if the bushing rides that far down the yoke it means the driveshaft is too short. The yoke should stick out of the extension housing about an inch. I can't think of anything else that would cause scoring there. Once you get the length right, it needs a yoke and a bushing.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Disregard the whole first part of my reply then, there is a bushing after all.