Front slip yoke has a hole in it - is this factory (1 Viewer)

[RIBob]

Gents, cleaning up my front drive shaft on my 79 FJ40 and I noticed an asymmetric hole in the u-joint end of it. While this may facilitate slip in the slip joint it also permit debris to get in. I have attached a few pictures (with a flashlight to help see the hole) to help describe what I am seeing.

Thank you for your input.

 

[jim land]

This hole is close with a cap (similar to a freez plug) , with too much grease in the slip joint , the cap pop out when the driveshaft compress

 

[pbgbottle]

Yes usually a plug in the end mines been missing for years I just grease it up once a month. grease does fly out all over the place I really should find a plug again.

 

[RIBob]

Thank you both for confirming there was a plug there when it left the factory. I will disassemble and see if I can find a proper sized freeze plug as a substitute for the missing cap.

Also one person stated the factory plug has a small hole drilled in it. Can someone confirm this?

Any other advice or remedies appreciated.

 

[pbgbottle]

I think there is a small pin hole. I do remember on one of my shafts it did squiggle out of a little pin hole. The grease

 

[igotta40]

Damn. Now I need to check mine.