rear drive shaft slip yoke "cap"?

[James C]

So went to grease the u-joints and slip yokes, and when I got to the rear slip yoke was pumping for a while before I realized it was all just spilling out the the end of the shaft by the u joint. I can literally stick my fingers up there and scoop all the grease out.

I think I've heard 4Runner guys mention a "cap" of sorts that isn't on the parts diagram but can fall off the end of the drive shaft and expose the inside. Assuming it would be the same for us.

Anyone else have this happen? It doesn't seem like something that's replaceable. Or I'm missing something. The best picture I could take:

slip yoke zerk

• James C
• May 12, 2018

We have a slight intermittent clunk, but nothing too bad. I think I'll start junkyard hunting for a drive shaft with zerks that I can tear apart, clean up and pop in.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

There is a plug in the bore of the slip joint that is just press fit in there. So if there's too much grease and you hit a bump, it pops it out.

If you disassemble the yoke/u-joint, you may be able to come up with a new plug that fits.

 

[bigredmachine]

might be able to take it to a driveline shop and the slip yolk cleaned up and get a new cap installed

 

[James C]

Ok good to know I’m not missing anything (besides the plug). I’m thinking it might be better to replace it than deal with the downtime / cost of having it removed and then attempting to fix it.