The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Slip Yoke (Re-install) Need some help

1948 Chevrolet Truck (3100) with 1948 Muncie 420 and driveline is from a 1951 Truck: I removed my driveshaft to install new gaskets on the rear differential.

When I removed the Slip Yoke, it took some considerable tapping to pull it off all the way. Now when I'm trying to re-install it, initially it slides on perfect, but the last 1 inch or so it won't seat all the way in, it is sticking out about 1.5 inches too far, so I cannot join it up to the U-Joint.

I looked inside the slip yoke and it appears a few splines (toward the very tip near the u Joint junction) are wavy. Is it best to try and file these down to get it on all the way?

Anyone know where to buy these, it is 4.75" overall (3" shaft) 17-Spline Yoke from a 1951. Looks like GM Part Number 5664154

I had a similar problem on my rear yoke on my '46 and ended up changing out the yoke - problem solved. Even if you managed to drive your yoke back on you'd have problems since it's supposed to slip back and forth a little as you go over bumps. If it's too tight to move easily it puts strain in other areas that are not designed for it.

No idea on a parts source for this, but if you've got the correct part number you should be able to find one on the web.

You have to examine the "wavy" and see if splines are still thin as others or that grooves are as wide as others. If it only takes a gentle filing/sanding and it's localized, no problem. You will have to try it anyway before buying another. Make sure you are not experiencing "hydraulic lock" with grease sealing it, or hole plugged or too much grease down in there. Also be sure it is not "keyed" (one larger spline, etc). This is sometimes done to make sure the U-joints are phased.
I guess you saying the female splines are wavy, what about the male? In other words the driveshaft. Are they OK?

Thanks David, yeah I kinda figured it would be prudent to get a new one. Apparently Chevrolet switched in 1951 from a 16 spline to 17 spline, I may have found one from a guy in OK at a boneyard, will know more if/when the part arrives here in about a week.

Thanks Bart. Yeah, it is the female (inside of the socket on the slip yoke) As I place the Yoke on the male end of the driveshaft, it slides on with ease for the first 2" and can move back and forth, but then for the last 1.5 inch, it won't seat down all the way, such that it sticks out too far to connect to the Transmission. I took a close look at the splines on the male end (on the driveshaft) and they look great, no issues there. It is purely with the lands/grooves on the socket of the slipe yoke. I worked on it a little with a file and will continue to do so, but also may have found a replacement from a boneyard in OK, awaiting to see what shows up in the mail here. Will post an update soon.