Driveshaft Slip Yoke Grease Plug Gone. Options?

I'm getting my Tacoma ready to sell, and finding a few things I need to address first. I've had a little clunk when shifting lately so figure I'll try the easy things first. Like maybe the driveshaft just needed lubing.

When I grease the slip yoke, grease just pours straight out. Searching around online, looks like I must have lost the grease plug. I've had pretty limited luck finding used parts around here. I see some options online. I know most aftermarket driveshaft components are crap.

Anyone have advice, products, thoughts on addressing this?

Is something like this all I need? Any input is appreciated.

 

Unless you can find something to replace the plug (maybe a freeze plug???), you might just have to buy the whole yoke.

 

I watched a timmy the toolman video and he at least didn't think the 'try to replace the plug' option was worthwhile. So is the photo in my post what I'm looking for then? Been a long time since I've done any driveshaft work so my knowledge is limited. I can replace stuff. Just lacking the knowledge to know exactly what part I'm looking for.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2002-abs-module-and-drivetrain-parts-wtb.617288/#post-20984082

 

Not sure what that link goes to but it tells me I don't have permission to view.

 

When you say grease plug, do you mean zerc fitting? If so, those should be pretty standard parts store stuff

 

Nope, grease plug. The slip yoke takes a ton of grease in a kind of large cavity at the bottom of that length of driveshaft, and that grease works its way up into the splines in the slip yoke. There's a plug in the end that keeps the grease in the cavity/shaft. You can see it in the photo of the product I posted. Imagine exactly that, but the plate below the zerk and in between the U of the U joint, with the little pinhole in the middle, is gone, letting grease flow out.

When I used the zerk to fill that slip yoke cavity, it just came pouring out the bottom. A quick internet search led me right to the grease plug.

I'm assuming that pictured part is what I need, but even at $60 I don't want to spend the money without verifying from someone who's done this or knows their driveshaft components.

 

Huh weird timing, I just greased my slip yoke and noticed grease coming out the back. Never knew a plug was supposed to be there. Makes perfect sense though thinking about it.

Following to see what size plug is needed. Hopefully there is an off the shelf one available. My year and a half old only gives
Me about 30min of wrench time before demanding to go inside

 

That is just a link to a previous post on this forum by me, not sure why you "don't have permission", assuming you are logged in.

Anyway here is the text.
"I made a replacement plug by cutting the center out of an engine freeze/core plug. It was just a generic plug from a chain store, sold by diameter. The center was slightly dished. After careful removal of the rim, cutting/grinding/filing, the resulting disk shaped piece could be tapped into the recess, dish to the outside. Finally a good wack with a hammer flattened the convex "dish". This effectively expands the OD of the disk for a secure fit. No sealer was used but could be if it adds peace of mind."

15 or so years later.

 

Interesting. Not sure why I can't view the thread.

Well I'll see what my options are. I guess either way I'll need to learn how to take a u-joint apart. Surprisingly have never had to do it before.

 

Found a used slip yoke with u joint and everything attached, so all I need to do is disconnect rear end of rear driveshaft, slide old one out, slide new one in, grease, done.

Thanks. Watching videos of u joint replacement...I mean it's something I'll need to learn some day...but there's only so much labor I want to put into a truck I'm about to sell. I want everything to work and be right, but don't want to do too much knuckle-busting. This feels like the least painful, least labor-intensive option.

 

Be mindful of phasing as you take the drive shaft apart. Mark the orientation somehow, so you can be sure that you reinstall the donor slip yoke the same way. You may need to have the shaft balanced after you replace the slip yoke.

I would also consider calling a driveline shop around you and see if they're able to just replace the plug in your existing slip yoke.

 

Hoping I can avoid having to balance, but we'll see. Since I'm selling the truck, I'm not going to worry about my current yoke. But it will be one more thing I throw in the back of the truck in case whoever buys it cares. Along with the OEM CVs that I replaced with NAPA parts. Someone else wants to deal with those, they'll have them.

Thanks.

 

So the one I bought doesn't fit. Splines line up and it slides into the driveshaft no problem, but the flange doesn't mate up. Looking at the product I posted in my first post, it seems like the yoke is a universal fit. So it must be the flange that changed over the years. Does anyone know...if I can swap my current flange onto this slip yoke? Just remove u-joint on both, put them back together with the new yoke and my old flange? I have to wonder, if the flange is different, is the u-joint different? If so, they obviously aren't compatible. I don't know my u-joints.