Well to me the yoke appears hour glassed a bit. (LIGHT BLUE ARROW) I also worry about the debris left at the top of the seal area clean that stuff off with a wire wheel. (GREEN ARROW) And the base of the yoke is ground away from the outer bearing it was sitting on...SEE the step in the casting the bearing wore that base down 32nd or so. (BLACK ARROW) I would not hesitate to take it to a machine shop to get measure from base to top seal surface to be sure it is the same. You could put more pressure on the seal area with a SEAL SAVER kit too. Remember any 10 bolt 8.5 truck yoke will be the same yoke... THEY are everywhere in the pull a parts.
The dimensions on the yoke don't look too bad. The middle of the bottom wear area may indicate a wobble? I laid a straightedge across the top. It would rock wherever I placed it across nose indicating, at least to me, that the metal to metal wear shows the yoke was probably wobbling somewhat but the seal was able to flex enough. That goes along with the nut being loose and play in the yoke. Brian, thanks for the tip to pull-a-part. Unfortunately, they are at least 60 Miles way and with rain and high heat forecast the rest of the week I will pass on that and order new. Any suggestions? I did find liquid Teflon so I am ready with that. Again, Thank to all for the help. Lou
I finally have all the parts and stuff to get this project done. Do I need a dust protector on the yoke? If so, is it possible to remove it from the old yoke? Thanks again. Lou
Got my medical stuff complete for the week and have open time again. Thanks for the answer Brian. Sounds like a challenge! Job will be completed this afternoon and driving tonite, if all leaks sre fixed. Lou
I was building another 8.5” yesterday and before I installed the seal,Inthought I would take a picture of the small lip/shoulder that the seal should stop at. I’ve seen plenty of these where someone drove the seal in flush,and then I usually see signs of fighting a leak. There will be gooped silicone everywhere,a nice oily yoke,etc. Another reason that you do NOT want to bury the seal in there is that you will close off the oil passage to the front bearing. Sure,there will still be some oil in there,but it can’t circulate properly,and could cause premature damage to the bearing.
