Slip Yoke Binding - Corrected - Thank you Timmy

Like many before me, I've battled the slip yoke binding for years. You know the symptoms..thud when braking ("damn, did I just get hit from behind?"), having to brake hard at a red light, etc., and when you start again you feel a bump, and for me when you left off the gas to turn, you feel like the drive shaft kinda slips or catches up. I purposely go light on the gas after turning to try and let the driveshaft catch up.
This project for me was two-fold. I wanted to try and correct the slip yoke issues and check the u-joint while it was off the truck. This is the original u-joint and I was thinking maybe it was binding contributing to some of the issues.
Keep in mind I purchased my '03 new and I'm diligent almost to a fault about maintenance (Thank you Dad). Every oil change I grease all the fittings on the drive shaft. I'm using Amsoil Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease NLGI#2 on the regular u-joints and Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Automotive Grease (

$13 VV985 Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease 14.1 OZ Cartridge

VV985) Moly-fortified on the cardinal joint fittings and the yoke.

I'm a huge fan of Timmy the Toolman and his videos are detailed, informative, & entertaining.
All the credit for what I did to correct the issues with binding goes to Tim thanks to his video in the link below. I'm not going into details on how to remove the slip yoke, because Tim's video will provide you with everything you need.

First thing I noticed when I removed the slip yoke is just how little grease was on the splines. The grease was at the bottom of the slip yoke. Cleaning out the slip yoke is what took the longest of this project. I used brake cleaner and finally filled the yoke up with gas to help dissolve the grease at the bottom.
I really expected the u-joint to have a rough spot when rotating or sticking but it turned freely and there was no play / movement.

After applying the Ford Fluid XG-8 lubricant & reassembling I drove around the block and there was no binding when turning, no thuds, etc.
Also, I drove to work this morning in stop and go traffic and there were no "thuds" felt.

I do realize that this is not a permanent fix. Like Tim states in his video, I may start removing the yoke at each oil/filter change to clean / re-grease.
Again, wanted to share to maybe help another TW member.
Tim, again, Thank you for the videos you provide.

Supplies I used:
Genuine Ford Fluid XG-8 PTFE Lubricant
tools to remove the 14mm bolts.
I believe it's a 6mm or 8mm wrench to remove the grease fitting from the yoke
I used a bungee cord to secure the drive shaft when the yoke was removed
some type of cleaner to remove the old grease
used Blue Loctite on the bolts when reassembling
used anti seize on the back of the drive shaft flange (keep it from sticking due to rust)
Amsoil Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease NLGI#2 to repack the u-joint on the yoke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyltxe2nPEg&t=162s

 

i sometimes get a slight thud during braking in the winter while in 4wd, is this what is going on under there?
i thought it was my brakes! so i 'gently' come to stops in 4wd when possible to avoid the thud which oftentimes has worked

 

Hey J A Y! I know if a brake caliper is sticking it will cause that but I'd definitely do the yoke just to eliminate it as a possibility.

 

Mine is sealed my old one had a grease fitting I greased it when I serviced it at 300K it still was fine. The "11" has 130K never been touched long as the boot is in good shape where is the grease going to go? I'm guessing if you drive it in deep water you had better have a look once in awhile.

 

Ben, i just noticed you have a PreRunner so you may not know what I am talking about in 4wd

 

You're correct. Sorry about that. I just read where you said "while in 4WD". I have a 4WD wannabe

 

i am sure that AR does not get 10-12 inches of blizzard snow at times for you to plow through!

 

No, we don't. Man I feel for ya having to deal with the rust issues that come from salt, etc.

 

thanks, it certainly has been a challenging endeavor, even more so now that I am better informed through the TW knowledge base that i had no clue about!, i just went through the normal to me winter routines
I am still waiting for another original 1st gen owner to pop up on TW with a near similar climate challenge that has not had the generous enhanced frame warranty
... need to compare notes and whatnot ...