I've been lurking for a few months, but thought I'd post some more information about the driveshaft/slip yoke problem. Background: I'm running J-D traction bars, and the problem has still resurfaced. I had the slip yoke greased at the first service interval, then had two driveshafts put in under warranty, then bought a new slip yoke outside of warranty. That yoke is ready to be replaced, and is still covered by the parts and service warranty, but it seems that Ford doesn't want to pay for it. Read on...

I dropped my '02 off for service this morning, asking them to diagnose the driveline vibration, then to schedule a service appointment. The dealer couldn't replicate the problem, but what has me concerned is Ford's 12 month / 12,000 mile parts and service warranty. (I paid for the last slip yoke, and the problem has returned with 10 months and 11,000 miles since the last service)

Ford has told the dealer that they won't honor the parts and service warranty unless the rubber boot around the slip yoke is leaking. Hell, the boot wasn't leaking on the first, second, third, and fourth service visits! Why would it now???

Ford tells the dealer not to even remove the boot unless it's leaking. Without removing the boot, they can't (won't) check for metal shavings in the splines, which is indicative of a problem with the slip yoke.

Bottom line is that Ford has told the dealer not to diagnose suspected slip yoke problems. So I was on the phone with Ford's customer service today, trying to get some answers. Since the dealer can't replicate the problem, I will do it for them on Saturday. I should expect a call from Ford Customer Care within a few days...

I hope anyone else who has the slip yoke vibration gets better treatment from Ford, and I'm curious to see if anyone else has been given the same story by their dealer and/or FoMoCo. Any replies would be helpful...

 

The JDs should stop the motion that causes the slip/bump when the spline binds under acceleration. My Ranger is mechanically the same as yours and the JDs completely cured it.

AFAIK, there is no mention of metal shavings in the slip yoke TSB.

What are your symptoms?

What is a slip yoke vibration?

 

I put the JDs on the truck, but not right after I had the slip yoke replaced last year. I think the wear started to occur in the slip yoke before I put the bars on, and once started, there was no stopping the process.

As for metal shavings, I was wrong about that being in the TSB. Now that I recall, the dealer told me that there were metal shavings in the slip yoke (last year), which was indicative of wear to the yoke. If metal shavings were present, the dealer said that the yoke should be replaced, rather than cleaned and greased as the TSB said to.

I have the classic symptoms; a clunk or thud (I call it a shudder) that is felt rather than heard just before coming to a complete stop under light to moderate braking. As I roll into the throttle coming off of the stop, I feel the driveline pulsation again.

I'm certain that it's the slip yoke, even though I have the J-D bars. My truck has had the yoke greased and cleaned once, two new drive shafts, then the slip yoke was replaced once, independent of the driveshaft. That cured it every time, but it always comes back...

 

has it ever occured to you that this is a standard issue and there is no fixing to it? ford has tried to please you several times from reading it but they cant afford to fix it over and over agian. i know its a pain but i doubt after warranty you will be replacing it every time it fails. i would just learn to deal with it. you might also want to look at your traction bars and make sure they are doing their job.

 

I went through the worst customer service over this problem. I had my driveshaft replaced and re-greased, and 3000 miles later the same thing is happening again. I was told that its all about the grease that is put in. As far as I can remember they told me that there should be a teflon grease in the slip yoke. (I could be wrong). After that is put in it should stop. I dont buy it though. I also heard of an aluminum driveshaft corrects this problem over the stainless. I think its just poor engineering and crappy luck of the truck. Let me know how you make out.

 

After all I have read and experienced with the issue of the sticking slip yoke, it has occurred to how some people can view the problem as "standard." I refuse to accept this explanation based solely on the grounds that it is common enough that it should be considered as "standard." I also believe that if there was "no fix" for the sticking slip yoke, Ford would have clearly stated that fact when customer complaints were first logged.

Perhaps my standards are just too high; after owning three GM G-body cars, one Cougar, and one (top-quality) Ranger prior to this one, I have become accustomed to a trouble-free drivetrain.

While I appreciate the service work that Ford had done while the vehicle was covered by the warranty, I do not have the capital to repair the problem every 10,000 miles now that the vehicle is out of the warranty period. Furthermore, I would have expected that a manufacturer such as Ford would have stood behind their parts and service warranty, rather than to overtly deny a legitimate warranty claim.

In the meantime, I will re-check my traction bars to ensure that they are correctly installed and are still functioning properly. If the problem in the drivetrain becomes bothersome enough, I may consider sourcing a driveshaft from a custom drivetrain shop.

 

I have owned 3 Rangers and used to drive F-series pickups and Broncos at work. This was a common problem on many of them and I agree that it is very frustrating. Ford should have come up with a REAL solution 10~20 years ago.

I have tried the regrease routine and it works for awhile. I even bought a small can of the special Ford Teflon grease ($25!) so I could do it myself. The problem is that it only helps for 3~12 months in my experience. There's no way that this ritual should become a part of scheduled maintenance.

Since I bought my current truck new, I know that it has never had the slip yoke regreased. However, the driveshaft was replaced during the first year (for high speed balance problems). The slip/bump was there from early in the truck's life and started again soon after the installation of the second driveshaft.

Almost two years ago, the JDs went on and I have had zero problems since. The traction bars limit the axle wrap that makes the driveshaft jump to a new position when the push/pull from the axle overcomes the bind in the slip joint. I would have thought that they would give the same results on your 2002.

 

Wow this just helped me out too. I have a funny bump noise with rear suspenson movement. Maybe thats the case for me too.

 

The slip bump isn't really a noise; it is a thump felt through the powertrain and chassis. It happens once immediately after accelerating from a stop or when braking to a stop. The binding in the slip yoke locks it up momentarily and then the driveshaft moves abruptly to a new location because of axle wrap.

 

Itz a noise if you hop up and down on my bumper.

 

I'm pretty sure that's something different.

 

oh well

 

I have the EXACT same problem, my uncle who is a mechanic at Ford said the same thing. You can grease them but the problem will come back. He said its an issue ford has been dealing with for a long time. The angle of the shaft on the 4x4's is what causes it. Its a little to steep he said. He did say that it will be fine to drive on though, it won't cause any major damage besides the minor bump you feel. When I put it in 4x4 high, it doesn't do it at all..
Thanks,
J

 

what years are affected by this?

 

all years of supercab 4x4 rangers. the angle is not what causes it. it is the axle wrap when the pinion points upward upon initial accelleration

the grease that comes in the TSB kit is alot better than the blue PTFE grease that they recommend to use now. I do mine about once a year. it isnt a big deal. remove the driveshaft, grease it and re-install

 

On the 2002 4x4's, does anyone know if its an aluminum shaft or steel shaft? I have the truck at the shop right now so I can't look..
Thanks!
J

 

it could be either one...ford used both IIRC