Slip Yoke

[Sdude2008]

1999 3.0 4wd 185k
I have my driveshaft out to replace the u joints. While I was working the slip joint separated. I figured while it’s apart I would regrease it for good measure. I got the ptfe xg8 and thoroughly cleaned the splines both the id and od. I applied a liberal amount of grease to the id and od. Now the pieces will not mate. I believe the yoke should slide easily? It seemed to come out that way. Anyone have experience with this? What am I doing wrong? I don’t think I should have to pound it back together. Thanks for any help.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I don’t know if they are keyed or not, but you have to make certain that the U-joints are “in phase” or properly aligned in other words. If they are not, you throw off the balance. If you’re lining up the joints and it doesn’t want to go, try turning it 180* and try again. Sometimes it’s a little fidgety to get to start on the splines.

 

[Sdude2008]

Thanks for the response. The yoke splines are near impossible to fit in any orientation. It goes in about half way.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thanks for the response. The yoke splines are near impossible to fit in any orientation. It goes in about half way.

I don’t think the stock ones have any sort of vent. When it’s greased up, if there’s no vent, it starts acting like a piston because of the air trapped below the splines.

 

[2011Supercab]

It goes in about half way.

You may have put to much grease on/in it

 

[pjtoledo]

hard stop or builds resistance?

hard stop is previous wear pattern, building resistance is trapped air.

 

[Sdude2008]

Thank you all for the responses. I believe you all are correct. I saw there is one section inside the tube that has no spline for a double ‘space’. I decided this was where the air should escape so I cleaned the grease out of that one channel. Also, each time it would go in about halfway and build pressure. I kept pulling it back out, re-greasing it with a small brush and sliding it back in until it finally went all the way back in. I gave it one last tap to seat the dust boot, installed the shaft and it seems OK. I appreciate the responses and feedback and especially when it’s correct information. Happy holidays to all.

 

[Sdude2008]

Just a follow up. Dropping the driveshaft showed me the rear u joint was wasted when I thought it was the front. The noise continued so I replaced the front so now both U’s are new. However, again today the sound came back worse than ever and I was able to identify the source as the front right cv axle. This is my 4th Ranger but 1st 4wd with front axles. Any way being able to bounce questions on here has always been helpful. Thanks again.