How To Grease The Slip Yoke

Zembonez · October 23, 2009

That is probably true for the marine grease. Its thick enough and water proof and probably high temp and won't separate and bleed off.

If a common grease is used that's not thick enough nor high temp, it can and will break down and become separated. Most of the chassis and wheel bearing grease sold in auto parts stores will do this. I have a tube of Mobil 1 grease in my grease gun thats only been in there a couple of months and its already separating and leaking a bit from the gun.

If this should happen it will run out from the splines and into the transmission. I am just a humble shade tree mechanic and have not done any studies on how this could affect the clutch material. I have only heard stories, no first hand experience.

You may never a problem. I hope not. Me, I fly 1st class, it cost a bit more but it is certainly more comfortable than coach.

Actually the marine grade grease trick wasn't something I thought up. A buddy that builds transmissions for drag cars uses it in his trans shop and recommended I try it. I started using it way back when I had my 2001 Silverado and have used is successfully on every truck since. It was never a cost issue for me.

Zembonez · October 23, 2009

Thanks Jim,

I didn't have that heavy viscosity marine grease on hand but if mine ever needs it again I'll be sure to use it.

Cheers Costa Rican Tarazu High Mountain, American roast, 7:30 am here

Mornin Fred. Good to see you here.

Regular Folgers French Roast here... but it's good!

pm26 · October 23, 2009

Can somebody answer my questions?

My 07 does not have a plated slip yoke. Neither does our 09 company vehicle Crew Cab.

Then which trucks get the nickel plated yoke? None? Or only those diagnosed as "basket cases" under warranty, where no traditional fix will eliminate the clunk. What cheapskates!!!! Just how much more expensive it is to plate something like this?

Zembonez · October 23, 2009

I honestly don't know. I've personally never seen one with it.

pm26 · October 23, 2009

I honestly don't know. I've personally never seen one with it.

I thought that the nickel plated yoke is a genuine GM part used as an updated part for problematic vehicles. Is it an aftermarket part? If yes, who makes it and what is the price?

dlstewart01 · October 23, 2009

This is an older bulliatn, I'm sure there is an updated one out there. They were 300 bucks a few years ago.

Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke) #01-04-17-004B - (Jan 5, 2005)Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke)

1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade (Old Style)

2002-2004 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT

2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV

1996-1999 Chevrolet 1500 Series Extended Cab Short Box Pickup (Old Style)

1996-1999 Chevrolet 1500 Series Regular Cab Pickup and Utility Models (Old Style)

1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab Short Box (New Style)

1999-2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Series Regular Cab (New Style)

2000-2004 Chevrolet 1500 Series Avalanche, Suburban and Tahoe

2001-2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 Series Regular Cab with Long Bed or Extended Cab (New Style)

2001-2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Series Crew Cab, Short Box (New Style)

1996-1999 GMC 1500 Series Extended Cab Short Box Pickup (Old Style)

1996-1999 GMC 1500 Series Regular Cab Pickup and Utility Models (Old Style)

1999-2002 GMC Sierra Extended Cab Short Box (New Style)

1999-2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Series Regular Cab (New Style)

2000-2004 GMC 1500 Series Yukon, Yukon XL

2001-2004 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Series Regular Cab with Long Bed or Extended Cab (New Style)

2001-2004 GMC Sierra 2500 Series Crew Cab, Short Box (New Style)

2003-2005 HUMMER H2

with Four Wheel Drive (4WD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD) and One-Piece Propeller Shaft ONLY

This bulletin is being revised to add Cadillac Escalade (Old Style) and HUMMER H2 to the Models section. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-04-17-004A (Section 04 -- Driveline/Axle).

Condition

Some customers may comment on a clunk, bump or squawk noise when the vehicle comes to a stop or when accelerating from a complete stop.

Cause

A slip/stick condition between the transfer case output shaft and the driveshaft slip yoke may cause this condition.

Part Number

Description

Usage

12477702

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated

4WD/AWD 1500 Series Ext Cab Short Box Pickups (New Style and Old Style)

12477704

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated

4WD/AWD 2500 Series Ext Cab Short Box Pickups (New Style)

12479383

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (without u-joint) , Nickel Plated

Must Be Ordered With U-Joint Kit P/N 12479126

4WD/AWD 1500 Series Silverado, Sierra Regular Cab Pickups (New Style)

4WD/AWD 1500 Series Suburban, Avalanche, Yukon XL, Escalade EXT, Escalade ESV with AWD (New Style)

K1500 Series Regular Cab Pickup, Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade (Old Style)

12479384

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip, (without u-joint) , Nickel Plated

Must Be Ordered With U-Joint Kit P/N 12479126

4WD/AWD 1500 Series Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade w/ 4WD or AWD (New Style)

12479385

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (without u-joint) , Nickel Plated

Must Be Ordered With U-Joint Kit P/N 12471510

4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style)

89058876

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated

4WD/AWD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Crew Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74) (New Style)

4WD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab Long Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74) (New Style)

4WD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date before 2/2004) (New Style)

4WD/AWD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date before 2/2004) (New Style)

89058878

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated

4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style)

4WD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Crew Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style)

89058880

Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated

4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date after 2/2004) or 6-Speed Manual Transmission (RPO ML6) (New Style)

4WD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date after 2/2004) or 6-Speed Manual Transmission (RPO ML6) (New Style)

12479126

U Joint Kit

4WD/AWD 1500 Series Silverado, Sierra Regular Cab Pickups (New Style)

4WD 1500 Series Suburban, Avalanche, Yukon XL) (Escalade EXT, Escalade ESV with AWD (New Style)

4WD 1500 Regular Cab Pickup, Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade (Old Style)

Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade w/ 4WD or AWD (New Style)

12471510

U Joint Kit

4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style)

88964470

Yoke Asm., Prop Sft Slip (without U joint) Nickel Plated

Must be ordered with U joint kit P/N 88964507

HUMMER H2

88964507

U-Joint

HUMMER H2

TILTED1 · October 30, 2009

I'm a noob to this and don't know much about trucks, but am good with my hands and figure I can tackle this since i was able to put on my old level kit. I have a 2wd and have the horrendous "clunk" when i come to a complete stop and take off from a stop and I cant take it any longer. From the write up, it looks like the yoke came from the front of the drive shaft from the tranny and not the rear of the drive shaft from the rear differntial. Is the yoke that I should be greasing in the front or the rear of the drive shaft? Sorry its a noob question, but that's why i come here to get great information and answers from you guys.

Zembonez · October 30, 2009

I'm a noob to this and don't know much about trucks, but am good with my hands and figure I can tackle this since i was able to put on my old level kit. I have a 2wd and have the horrendous "clunk" when i come to a complete stop and take off from a stop and I cant take it any longer. From the write up, it looks like the yoke came from the front of the drive shaft from the tranny and not the rear of the drive shaft from the rear differntial. Is the yoke that I should be greasing in the front or the rear of the drive shaft? Sorry its a noob question, but that's why i come here to get great information and answers from you guys.

It becomes obvious when you remove the shaft. The rear bolts up and the slip yoke is in the front where it enters the trans.

Cheers!

TILTED1 · October 30, 2009

I'm a noob to this and don't know much about trucks, but am good with my hands and figure I can tackle this since i was able to put on my old level kit. I have a 2wd and have the horrendous "clunk" when i come to a complete stop and take off from a stop and I cant take it any longer. From the write up, it looks like the yoke came from the front of the drive shaft from the tranny and not the rear of the drive shaft from the rear differntial. Is the yoke that I should be greasing in the front or the rear of the drive shaft? Sorry its a noob question, but that's why i come here to get great information and answers from you guys.

It becomes obvious when you remove the shaft. The rear bolts up and the slip yoke is in the front where it enters the trans.

Cheers!

Thanks Jim!

AVortec · October 30, 2009

I tried synthetic grease - clunk went away for about 2 or 3 miles. So at least I know grease has the potential to help. Then I tried anti-seaze grease, clunk went away for about a mile. When I pulled the driveshaft to check, the splines were almost dry again. Where did the grease that I added go? Did I not add enough? How much is enough? Should I make a "pile" of grease at the bottom of the spline cavity or smear just enough to cover the splines and call it good? I'm tempted to try the rubber ball trick but it seems like it would melt or something... I'm ready to try some marine grade grease. I guess I'll squirt some brake fluid in the spline cavity and clean it out good before adding the new grease. I also cleaned and smoothed the outer spline but didn't grease that. So I'll do that as well...

pm26 · October 30, 2009

It appears that this issue is quite common on these trucks. I have not seen any problem with mine yet (13.5k miles so far), but this can be that I have a favorable tolerance stackup - i.e. smallest slip yoke on the largest splined shaft, allowing for little play in the yoke. Seems like a crap shoot to me. I better hold onto my truck.

Zembonez · October 31, 2009

I agree Pete. It is a crap shoot.

I guess I really can't complain. This is literally the only issue I've had with my truck in 28 months and 15,000 miles. I'm a happy camper.

TILTED1 · November 2, 2009

I'm a noob to this and don't know much about trucks, but am good with my hands and figure I can tackle this since i was able to put on my old level kit. I have a 2wd and have the horrendous "clunk" when i come to a complete stop and take off from a stop and I cant take it any longer. From the write up, it looks like the yoke came from the front of the drive shaft from the tranny and not the rear of the drive shaft from the rear differntial. Is the yoke that I should be greasing in the front or the rear of the drive shaft? Sorry its a noob question, but that's why i come here to get great information and answers from you guys.

It becomes obvious when you remove the shaft. The rear bolts up and the slip yoke is in the front where it enters the trans.

Cheers!

Thanks Jim!

So I greased the slip yoke on Friday, used a high temp marine grade grease from the local auto shop. only took about 20 to 30 minutes because I took my time and was it the first time i have done this. Wish i would have done this 10K miles ago! Drove the truck all weekend at least 60 to 70 miles and the "Clunk" is gone!

Mossyoakglock · November 3, 2009

I'm a noob to this and don't know much about trucks, but am good with my hands and figure I can tackle this since i was able to put on my old level kit. I have a 2wd and have the horrendous "clunk" when i come to a complete stop and take off from a stop and I cant take it any longer. From the write up, it looks like the yoke came from the front of the drive shaft from the tranny and not the rear of the drive shaft from the rear differntial. Is the yoke that I should be greasing in the front or the rear of the drive shaft? Sorry its a noob question, but that's why i come here to get great information and answers from you guys.

It becomes obvious when you remove the shaft. The rear bolts up and the slip yoke is in the front where it enters the trans.

Cheers!

Thanks Jim!

So I greased the slip yoke on Friday, used a high temp marine grade grease from the local auto shop. only took about 20 to 30 minutes because I took my time and was it the first time i have done this. Wish i would have done this 10K miles ago! Drove the truck all weekend at least 60 to 70 miles and the "Clunk" is gone!

What grease did you use? I'm going to tackle mine this weekend.