The slip yoke in the Ford F150 is an integral part of the drivetrain system. It is connected to the drive shaft and allows them to flex while moving on off-roads and uneven terrains. It ensures smooth drive shaft movement according to the changes in the movement of suspension parts over uneven roads. Moreover, it smoothly provides power to the wheels when you engage the four-wheel drive system.
Ford F150 slip yoke problems include whining noise, corroded parts, worn-out slip yoke, worn-out U joint, dry and brittle components, bent slip yokes, and vibrations while driving at high speed.
I also faced difficulty in shifting gears because of the damaged parts. I tried to engage the reverse gear but could not because of faulty components. The driveshaft could not supply the power to the wheels for their propelling movement.
I did not know these components, so I called the mechanic for an inspection. He replaced the worn-out slip yoke with new ones within an hour, and I performed the test drive to ensure smooth gear engagement.
| Problems | Solutions |
| Whining and clunking noise | Greasing of the slip yoke |
| Corroded parts | Remove corrosion with a brush or sandpaper |
| Worn-out slip yoke | Regular maintenance |
| Worn out U joint | Do not overload you truck |
| Dry and brittle components | Avoid over-greasing |
| Bent slip yokes | Straighten the bent slip yoke |
| Vibrations during driving | Call the mechanic for alignment of the off-centered driveshaft |
Whining and clunking noise
Many people complain about the whining and clunking noise from their Ford F150 while engaging the four-wheel drive or changing the speed.
My friend also faced this problem while increasing the speed. He told me he pressed the accelerator pedal to increase the speed while moving on an uphill or inclined road surface.
He heard the loud clunk sound because of the poor greasing of the slip yoke. You can hear this noise because of poorly lubricated parts and friction between them.
Moreover, some people complained about the excessive vibrations with a clunking sound. These excessive vibrations increase the risk of wear and tear on tires and lead to costly repairs.
Poorly greased slip yokes do not control the movement of the drive shaft on bumpy roads, and you can hear the loud noise while driving.
You can hear these uneven noises when you forget to grease this part longer. Inspecting these parts regularly and putting grease on them for their smooth functioning is necessary.
Corroded parts
You can also see the malfunctioning of the slip yoke because of the corroded parts. It is connected to the drive shaft and located close to the ground surface.
Corrosion comes on their surfaces because of poor greasing. Lubricants act as the protective layer and protect its components from road contaminants.
Water and road contaminants can come on these parts because they are close to the ground surface. Contaminant infiltration in these components during off-roading increases the risk of corrosion on their metal surface.
The issue also comes while driving over water muddles. Mud splashes can come on these parts and cause the metal to oxidize.
Rust can also come on their splines, affecting normal driving conditions and smooth power supply while moving on uneven roads.
My neighbor also has a 2015 Ford F150, and he faced the same issue. He faced the issue of sudden power loss last year because of a corroded slip yoke.
He inspected the drive shaft and drivetrain components, and the yoke spline was badly corroded. He told me he used sandpaper to remove the corrosion from their surface. You can also use a wire brush to clean their splines.
Worn-out slip yoke
Slip yoke is vulnerable to wear and tear because of its constant functioning, physical impacts, and age-related wear and tear. These parts continuously move inside and outside the transfer case to flex the driveshaft according to road conditions and ensure a smooth power supply to the wheels.
Continuous in and out movement of this part increases the friction and risk of damage. These can also wear out because of leakage of transmission fluid, which can cause contamination of their components.
Moreover, friction also increases because of insufficient greasing. Poor lubrication and greasing increase the metal-to-metal contact and wear-out chances.
You can decrease the risk of wear and tear by checking the seals around them. The seal protects against road debris and contaminants.
Replace the damaged seals with new ones to decrease their chances of failure. You should perform regular inspections and grease their components after off-road trips.
Worn out U joint
The primary function of the slip yoke is to transfer the power from the transfer case to the driveshaft for wheels propelling according to the engaged gears and selected speeds.
The U-joint is the attachment part of the driveshaft, which allows its flexions to correspond to the changes in the movement of suspension parts.
U-joints are vulnerable to wear and tear and cause the free movement of the driveshaft, which can lead to uneven power supply to the wheels.
U-joints need proper lubrication to ensure the smooth flexing of the driveshaft. Poor lubrication damages the bearings of the U-joints and leads to free movement.
The issue also comes because of oil contamination. When it comes in contact with water, lubricating oil makes the U-joint slippery, and the driveshaft moves freely.
These parts are also vulnerable to wear and tear because of the overloading. You can decrease the risk of wearing U-joints by checking the gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle before towing it with your Ford F150 truck. You should lubricate their parts properly to decrease the risk of wearing bearings.
Dry and brittle components
Slip yoke controls the driveshaft movement in different directions according to the vehicle’s motion. However, it becomes dry and brittle over time because of contaminants, poor lubrication, and routine maintenance.
Their parts need proper lubrication to decrease the drying risks. Dry parts become brittle and break easily when you increase the speed to move on the inclined surface.
These can also dry out because worn-out seals protect them against several environmental elements. You can also face the issue because of incorrect greasing material, which attracts dust and dirt and leads to their components’ drying.
Moreover, over-greasing can also attract dust and dirt from uneven roads and increase the chances of their damage. You should use the correct greasing material for these components and avoid greasing.
Turn off your pickup truck when it overheats because it can also cause the drying of grease and brittle components.
Bent slip yokes
Slip yoke in your pickup truck can also bend and does not allow the drive shaft to flex smoothly. The bent yolk cannot move in and out of the transfer case to supply the power to the drive shaft for the wheels spinning.
These can bend because of the overloading of the Ford F150 truck. The issue comes when you load the vehicle’s cargo area with a load that is more than its average weight-carrying capacity.
Overloading puts strain on these components and causes deformation of their structural integrity. Moreover, bearings cannot revolve inside the bent yoke.
You can straighten the bent yolk with heating and greasing procedures. Furthermore, you can also use bolts or nuts to straighten these parts.
Vibrations during driving
A broken slip yoke leads to an uncomfortable driving experience. Vibrations become intense when you increase the Ford F150 speed.
Moreover, you can also feel vibrations while accelerating on an inclined surface. The issue comes from the broken or bent yoke, which cannot control the drive shaft movement.
These components can break because of excessive vibrations from uneven road surfaces. You can face vibrations from the seats because of the off-centered driveshaft.
You should call the mechanic for the correct alignment of the off-centered driveshaft.
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