I have a 2010 4Runner RWD Limited in the family and I need some clarification regarding the propeller shaft service. Are the slide yokes that the maintenance booklet refers to only found on the 4WD models? I thought the part of the propeller shaft on a RWD vehicle that goes into the rear of the transmission was also called a slip (or slide) yoke and thus needs to be lubed. But the more I read and researched the subject, it sounds like you only lube the propeller shaft(s) via zerk fittings. Even the factory repair manual makes no mention of removing the shaft and lubing the "sleeve yoke" (see pic below). Am I correct in concluding that this part doesn't need to be lubed on a RWD?
Propeller Shaft Service on a 2010 RWD
- Thread starter Rudiger
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Greasing the slip yoke on a 4wd is much different than on a 2wd.
You only have to grease the 2 spiders unless they are zerkless sealed models then you have nothing to grease.
The slip yoke at the front coming out of the trans is basically submerged in ATF so you won't have to ever worry about greasing that. If you were to pull the yoke out your transmission would quickly drain itself.
You only have to grease the 2 spiders unless they are zerkless sealed models then you have nothing to grease.
The slip yoke at the front coming out of the trans is basically submerged in ATF so you won't have to ever worry about greasing that. If you were to pull the yoke out your transmission would quickly drain itself.
I initially thought I had to do something like this [truckmodcentral.com].
That would explain the plug you need to insert into the transmission tailshaft to prevent leaks while the prop shaft is removed. A plug the dealer can't/won't sell but you can buy online for about $60 (yikes!). I wonder if a "universal" plug (i.e. made for GM & Ford) like this [summitracing.com] would work...
That would explain the plug you need to insert into the transmission tailshaft to prevent leaks while the prop shaft is removed. A plug the dealer can't/won't sell but you can buy online for about $60 (yikes!). I wonder if a "universal" plug (i.e. made for GM & Ford) like this [summitracing.com] would work...
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That is the first time I have ever seen service on a driveshaft like that.
Interesting that he stated in the post, "trans will not leak fluid as long as vehicle is level." That right there says the tail end of the trans is exposed/partially submerged in ATF. I'd be worried if I were him because he just added bearing grease to his ATF.
Even if the tail shaft is not fully submerged in ATF whenever the vehicle is on an uphill slope or even starting out from a dead stop ATF will flow back to lube the tail shaft.
Interesting that he stated in the post, "trans will not leak fluid as long as vehicle is level." That right there says the tail end of the trans is exposed/partially submerged in ATF. I'd be worried if I were him because he just added bearing grease to his ATF.
Even if the tail shaft is not fully submerged in ATF whenever the vehicle is on an uphill slope or even starting out from a dead stop ATF will flow back to lube the tail shaft.
TechWrench
Senior Member
It has been a LONG time, but back when I worked on transmissions, there were inexpensive plastic caps which slid over the output shaft of the transmission and sealed against the rear extension housing seal to stop trans fluid from leaking out when the driveshaft was removed. I seem to remember we ordered them from our transmission parts supply source. They were less than $2.00 a piece, as I recall. We used to have a bucket full of them, and installed them on all our RWD rebuilt units when they were on the shelf to help protect the splines on the output shafts and keep debris from getting inside trans while in storage. Maybe a transmission rebuild shop would have one that fits and would part with it?
Believe it or not, our 2010 RWD does have a zerk on each u-joint.
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