Leaking driveshaft yoke

[carbuff]

Ok, this is a new one to me... While doing some work on TOW, Eric and I were looking for the source of a transmission fluid leak. The crossmember had a lot of fluid on it, and fluid was also sprayed on the tunnel. But, the transmission is dry everywhere. Rear seal is fine, around the shifter is fine, we couldn't find a drop on it. So Eric starts telling me it must be the yoke.

I look at him like he's crazy, but sure enough, he texts a buddy that works at a driveline shop, and the guy tells him that yep, they can leak. Apparently there is a 'cap' of some sort at the back behind the splined section, and if I understood correctly, the splined part of the yoke is actually pressed into the cast part. So it's possible for fluid to see through the yoke if there isn't a good seal where the 'cap' part is.

Eric is going to pull the driveshaft today or Monday and confirm. We'll see if this is truly the cause, and if so he will use something to seal this area. Or, worst case, I'm buying a new yoke...

The best part of this is that he has to drop one side of the exhaust to get the driveshaft out. Either that or the torque arm, and the muffler is much easier...

[gerno]

I have had the same leak since my trans was new and have changed the seal once. If you figure it out let me know

Ok, this is a new one to me... While doing some work on TOW, Eric and I were looking for the source of a transmission fluid leak. The crossmember had a lot of fluid on it, and fluid was also sprayed on the tunnel. But, the transmission is dry everywhere. Rear seal is fine, around the shifter is fine, we couldn't find a drop on it. So Eric starts telling me it must be the yoke.

I look at him like he's crazy, but sure enough, he texts a buddy that works at a driveline shop, and the guy tells him that yep, they can leak. Apparently there is a 'cap' of some sort at the back behind the splined section, and if I understood correctly, the splined part of the yoke is actually pressed into the cast part. So it's possible for fluid to see through the yoke if there isn't a good seal where the 'cap' part is.

Eric is going to pull the driveshaft today or Monday and confirm. We'll see if this is truly the cause, and if so he will use something to seal this area. Or, worst case, I'm buying a new yoke...

The best part of this is that he has to drop one side of the exhaust to get the driveshaft out. Either that or the torque arm, and the muffler is much easier...

[carbuff]

I replaced the seal with the fancy / heavy duty seal that Tremec sells, but this is definitely not a seal leak... While I have a hard time believing it, it really does seem to be coming from the yoke.

We'll find out soon enough...

[carkrazy1987]

Its the yoke. I have seen it alot on the line working at a gm dealer. We see yoke leaking from the "cap" we usually replace the yoke and be done, sometimes when the yoke is not available we put alil epoxy on it and call it a day. We used to have a heavy duty grease we would put in the splines that was thick enought to prevent fluid going by, I may still have a can somewhere.

[GregWeld]

IT happens all the time.....


Weld up the "cap" area. Or epoxy it. I know Eric can TIG!

[Che70velle]

JB Weld FTW!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

you can seal the cap or just run a finger tip of RTV into the yoke splines.

[jwcarguy]

you can seal the cap or just run a finger tip of RTV into the yoke splines.

X2 been there, done that! seal off the cap inside and out

common issue

[carbuff]

Grumble... Eric filled it up with fluid and let it sit over the weekend. Sure enough, it's leaking. :bigun2:

He'll fix it up now and hopefully no more leak.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/download_20140714_123105_zps5b928981.gif (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/download_20140714_123105_zps5b928981.gif.html)

[GregWeld]

Now you'll owe him diner at The Salt Lick!!


LOL









Grumble... Eric filled it up with fluid and let it sit over the weekend. Sure enough, it's leaking. :bigun2:

He'll fix it up now and hopefully no more leak.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/download_20140714_123105_zps5b928981.gif (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/download_20140714_123105_zps5b928981.gif.html)

[gnx7]

I had a similar problem with a T56 Magnum and it was the shifter base leaking where the "tower" bolted on. Chased it for over a year. Finally got a new shifter which solved the issue.

I RTV'd the crap out of it. Very bad design with poor quality internal seal on the aftermarket McLeod shifters designed by Red. replaced the seal on the old style shifter 4x and it would tear or harden (poor quality rubber) and fail.