trucks an 04 crew cab short box with allison, just noticed after i installed lift pump(removed driveshaft). "clunks" when brakes are released; acts as if trailer brakes do when adjusted to high. I've noticed that if i oil/grease the output shaft and splines on the yoke, the problem is gone for temporary. My t-case was low so i filled it up and it seems to have helped but still not 100% fixed. My question is....with the symptoms i have listed; does it sound like my truck is in need of this updated nikel-plated yoke from GM? This is just more annoying than anything to me.

anybody got anything? does this updated yoke design even exist?

With the Xfer case having been low, and you pulled the driveshaft, Was there any sign of wear on the yoke?

Reason I asked is because most likely the tailshaft bushing within the Xfer case is worn from the low oil. Does the yoke move up and down (or side to side? This cannot be checked unless there is no windup in the driveline). You know, P-brake set, wheels chocked, truck in neutral.

And, yes there is a nickel plated yoke available, but the application of just a yoke and not correcting the tailshaft bushing will most likely not solve the problem.

With the Xfer case having been low, and you pulled the driveshaft, Was there any sign of wear on the yoke?

Reason I asked is because most likely the tailshaft bushing within the Xfer case is worn from the low oil. Does the yoke move up and down (or side to side? This cannot be checked unless there is no windup in the driveline). You know, P-brake set, wheels chocked, truck in neutral.

And, yes there is a nickel plated yoke available, but the application of just a yoke and not correcting the tailshaft bushing will most likely not solve the problem.

thanks for info. and input! but upon removing driveshaft the yoke appeard to be normal; i didnt really look at it super closely but it seemed and felt just fine to me. what and where is this tailshaft bushing? i've never heard of it.

The smooth portion of the yoke that you've examined rides (spins) within a bushing installed in the tailshaft of the Xfer case. The bushing is nothing more than a pressed-in sleeve, BUT it is lubricated by Xfer case oil AND is softer and more prone to wear than the outside of the yoke. The bushing is essentially the rearmost bearing in the Xfer case and centers the driveshaft and output shaft within the yoke. When wear exists in the bushing's bore, the tailshaft will move side to side and up and down when the shaft is spinning, and can cause the clunk you're feeling.

BTW, did you determine the reason for the low Xfer case oil???

So can you buy this bushing and replace it or do you have to buy a new rear case half?
If you buy a new rear case is a new bushing inside of it? Should the yoke be replaced if the bushing is replaced? Inquiring minds want to know.

The smooth portion of the yoke that you've examined rides (spins) within a bushing installed in the tailshaft of the Xfer case. The bushing is nothing more than a pressed-in sleeve, BUT it is lubricated by Xfer case oil AND is softer and more prone to wear than the outside of the yoke. The bushing is essentially the rearmost bearing in the Xfer case and centers the driveshaft and output shaft within the yoke. When wear exists in the bushing's bore, the tailshaft will move side to side and up and down when the shaft is spinning, and can cause the clunk you're feeling.

BTW, did you determine the reason for the low Xfer case oil???


thanks for much of your info.....is there a special procedure for removing the bushing? I think i'll invest in one of these if i have any play in my yoke. Also to answer your question about low transfer case fluid; i'm not sure why it was low. Maybe when trans was removed and strengthened it lost fluid then and was never refilled. Anyhow there are no visable leaks excternally and trans fluid appears to be level still and nice pink, so i dont believe it's leaking into the trans. Maybe somehow it "evaporated" over time? i didnt think that was possible but truck has 75000 and as far as i know it was never checked since new. anyhow it all works just fine and does what it should...

Bushing is replaceable, will have to pull the seal too and replace..

is there a special procedure for removing the bushing? i'm aware it's behind the output shaft oil seal; and the oil seal will have to be replaced as well. but does removing the bushing require special procedure, or how do i get it out?

Did you ever figure this out? I'm trying to do it this very minute and I can't get it out.

only was i could get mine out was to split the two halfs.

trucks an 04 crew cab short box with allison, just noticed after i installed lift pump(removed driveshaft). "clunks" when brakes are released; acts as if trailer brakes do when adjusted to high. I've noticed that if i oil/grease the output shaft and splines on the yoke, the problem is gone for temporary. My t-case was low so i filled it up and it seems to have helped but still not 100% fixed. My question is....with the symptoms i have listed; does it sound like my truck is in need of this updated nikel-plated yoke from GM? This is just more annoying than anything to me.there is a grease at your chev dealer just for this problem