How To Grease The Slip Yoke

pm26 · October 18, 2009

Thanks Steven. I figured once I tear it apart it would be pretty obvious where to grease so it was probably a stupid question. I'm trying to pass the time at work 'til 5.

Specs on the grease:

-Extreme-pressure, high-temperature protection

-Lubricates at temperatures ranging from -40°F to 400°F

-NLGI #2 Grade GC-LB Lithium Complex EP Grease

-GM 1051344; NLGI GC-LB; Supercedes GM 1051195

I should be good to use this grease on the yoke?

No, this is just general purpose grease and not thick enough for this job. It will work, but not as effectively as recommended greases. I would try either the GM tech bulletin recommended grease (=expensive), or Marine Triple Guard grease.

Where can you find that in town?

The Triple Guard Grease is marketed by Evinrude/Bombardier. Formerly it was sold by OMC .

It is good thick stuff used to lubricate boat propeller shaft splines for a totally waterproof coating that does not wash off even in sea water. Because it is so thick and viscous, it will effectively reduce the audible clunk the yoke makes.

You can find it in most boat stores or marina stores, especially ones servicing OMC marine engines and drives.

music · October 18, 2009

The Triple Guard Grease is marketed by Evinrude/Bombardier. Formerly it was sold by OMC .
It is good thick stuff used to lubricate boat propeller shaft splines for a totally waterproof coating that does not wash off even in sea water. Because it is so thick and viscous, it will effectively reduce the audible clunk the yoke makes.

You can find it in most boat stores or marina stores, especially ones servicing OMC marine engines and drives.

OK... so now I'm confused. We want to use a grease that's compatible with the transmission fluid/parts, but only the GM grease is "guaranteed" to work? Does anyone sell an aftermarket grease for this specific purpose? I'd think that a good wheel bearing grease is "thick enough", but is it "compatible" enough?

VMax2007 · October 18, 2009

And you don't want any grease that will contaminate the trans fluid and screw up the clutches in the transmission.

Just curious, how would this grease get into the trans to contaminate the the trans fluid?

VMax2007 · October 18, 2009

Thanks Steven. I figured once I tear it apart it would be pretty obvious where to grease so it was probably a stupid question. I'm trying to pass the time at work 'til 5.

Specs on the grease:

-Extreme-pressure, high-temperature protection

-Lubricates at temperatures ranging from -40°F to 400°F

-NLGI #2 Grade GC-LB Lithium Complex EP Grease

-GM 1051344; NLGI GC-LB; Supercedes GM 1051195

I should be good to use this grease on the yoke?

No, this is just general purpose grease and not thick enough for this job. It will work, but not as effectively as recommended greases. I would try either the GM tech bulletin recommended grease (=expensive), or Marine Triple Guard grease.

Where can you find that in town?

The Triple Guard Grease is marketed by Evinrude/Bombardier. Formerly it was sold by OMC .

It is good thick stuff used to lubricate boat propeller shaft splines for a totally waterproof coating that does not wash off even in sea water. Because it is so thick and viscous, it will effectively reduce the audible clunk the yoke makes.

You can find it in most boat stores or marina stores, especially ones servicing OMC marine engines and drives.

I use Lubri-Plate to grease my boat's prop shaft and after a full summer of use, it is still there 100%. I am thinking of using this on my slip yoke.

dlstewart01 · October 18, 2009

The slip yoke does go past the rubber seal, and there is trans fluid back there. The last time I pulled my yoke out some trans fluid ran out.

On a 4x4 it would be in the transfer case, and come in contact with that fluid as well.

Some people who should know say not to use grease with molly in it.

Me, I am just a humble shade tree mechanic. (but I use the GM sh!t)

Mossyoakglock · October 19, 2009

VMax, where do you get that grease at? What about Triple Guard Grease/Marine Grease for boat prop shafts? I've heard it works good because it's High-temp and waterproof.

VMax2007 · October 19, 2009

The slip yoke does go past the rubber seal, and there is trans fluid back there. The last time I pulled my yoke out some trans fluid ran out.

On a 4x4 it would be in the transfer case, and come in contact with that fluid as well.

Some people who should know say not to use grease with molly in it.

Me, I am just a humble shade tree mechanic. (but I use the GM sh!t)

+1

Thanks for the info Don. I will use the Gm stuff too.

pm26 · October 19, 2009

The real fix here is installing the new upgraded nickel plated slip yoke. Has GM started installing nickel plated yokes on new truck starting with a certain year? Do '06 trucks have the usual troublesome yoke too? So far I have not had any problem with mine. How much is the nickle plated yoke for an '096 GMT800 and what is the part number?

hubbycap · October 22, 2009

Hello everyone, I haven't checked in for awhile. I was about a 100 miles short of warranty expiration and have noticed over the last month that I was getting the launch clunk and remembered these threads from a couple of years back. I referred back here to see if I might want to lodge an official complaint before warranty end. The fix seemed simple enough so I pulled the drive shaft and lubed the spline w/general purpose grease and a real light coat of silicone on the outside machined surface that contacts the rubber seal.

Test drove and it is was perfect, like new. I realize this isn't the OEM grease that is made from whale blubber and extra virgin baby seal snot but, what was inside the spline grooves beyond the slip-movement contact area looked like it was just ordinary white lithium grease. My GP grease was heavier and if I have to take 20 minutes to pull and grease the spline every couple of years, I can handle it.

pm26 · October 23, 2009

The real fix here is installing the new upgraded nickel plated slip yoke. Has GM started installing nickel plated yokes on new truck starting with a certain year? Do '06 trucks have the usual troublesome yoke too? So far I have not had any problem with mine. How much is the nickle plated yoke for an '06 GMT800 and what is the part number?

Can somebody answer my questions?

CapitalTruck · October 23, 2009

I would use the GM "Spline Grease" The stuff is expensive (like 35 bucks for a can of it) but I would have to guess that it would work since that is exactly what it is for.

Zembonez · October 23, 2009

No need for a "special" grease... and no, it won't contaminate your trans fluid.

Read this: http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2504

Zembonez · October 23, 2009

The real fix here is installing the new upgraded nickel plated slip yoke. Has GM started installing nickel plated yokes on new truck starting with a certain year? Do '06 trucks have the usual troublesome yoke too? So far I have not had any problem with mine. How much is the nickle plated yoke for an '06 GMT800 and what is the part number?

Can somebody answer my questions?

My 07 does not have a plated slip yoke. Neither does our 09 company vehicle Crew Cab.

hubbycap · October 23, 2009

No need for a "special" grease... and no, it won't contaminate your trans fluid.

Read this: http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2504

Thanks Jim,

I didn't have that heavy viscosity marine grease on hand but if mine ever needs it again I'll be sure to use it.

Cheers Costa Rican Tarazu High Mountain, American roast, 7:30 am here

dlstewart01 · October 23, 2009

No need for a "special" grease... and no, it won't contaminate your trans fluid.

Read this: http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2504

That is probably true for the marine grease. Its thick enough and water proof and probably high temp and won't separate and bleed off.

If a common grease is used that's not thick enough nor high temp, it can and will break down and become separated. Most of the chassis and wheel bearing grease sold in auto parts stores will do this. I have a tube of Mobil 1 grease in my grease gun thats only been in there a couple of months and its already separating and leaking a bit from the gun.

If this should happen it will run out from the splines and into the transmission. I am just a humble shade tree mechanic and have not done any studies on how this could affect the clutch material. I have only heard stories, (grease with moly may not be good) no first hand experience.

You may never a problem. I hope not. Me, I fly 1st class, it cost a bit more but it is certainly more comfortable than coach.