Shop the 37302-35050 Slip Yoke →
The slip yoke is the splined joint that lets a driveshaft change length as the rear axle moves up and down. On older Toyota trucks it lives a hard life: it sits low, it collects road salt and water, and its grease washes out. When the splines wear or the polished surface rusts, you get a clunk on takeoff, a leak at the seal it rides in, or a vibration that tracks with road speed. The part itself is inexpensive. Diagnosing it correctly is what saves you money.
Fitment: Toyota 37302-35050
Our replacement yoke is listed for vehicles that use Toyota part number 37302-35050:
| Vehicle | Years | Engines Listed |
|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | 1995-2004 | 2.4L, 2.7L, 3.4L |
| 4Runner | 1991-2006 | 2.4L through 4.7L |
| Pickup | 1991-1995 | 2.4L, 3.0L |
| T100 | 1993-1998 | 2.7L, 3.0L, 3.4L |
| Land Cruiser | 1995-1997 | 4.5L |
| Sequoia | 2004-2005 | 4.7L |
| Tundra | 2004-2005 | 3.4L, 4.0L, 4.7L |
Toyota used several different yokes across 2WD, 4WD, transmission and wheelbase combinations, so the vehicle list is not the whole story. Match the part number on your old yoke or a parts catalog lookup by VIN before ordering.
Symptoms of a Bad Slip Yoke
- Clunk on takeoff or when shifting into gear. Worn or dry splines let the shaft rotate slightly before it takes up load.
- Clunk on and off the throttle. The same lash shows up when load reverses.
- Leak at the transmission or transfer case rear seal. Where the yoke slides into an output housing, a pitted or rusty shank chews up the seal lip. A new seal on an old, pitted yoke will leak again.
- Vibration that changes with road speed. A worn yoke can let the shaft run slightly off center.
- A shudder under heavy load such as towing or climbing, when worn splines bind instead of sliding.
How to Confirm It
- With the truck safely supported and in neutral, grab the driveshaft near the yoke and twist it back and forth. Rotational play at the splines (as opposed to play at the U-joint) points to the yoke.
- Check the U-joints at the same time. Push and pull across each cap; any click or movement means the joint is worn. A bad U-joint clunks just like a worn yoke.
- Look at the yoke shank where it enters the seal. Rust pitting, grooves or a step worn into the surface mean the yoke should be replaced, not just resealed.
- If there is a grease fitting on the slip joint, grease it and drive. If the clunk goes away for a while and comes back, the splines are worn.
- Rule out other clunks: worn rear spring shackles or bushings, loose U-bolts, excessive differential backlash, and worn transmission or engine mounts all make similar noises. Our guide to rear-end clunk when accelerating covers those.
Replacement Cost
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Replacement slip yoke (37302-35050) | See current price |
| New U-joint for the yoke end | $20 to $60 |
| Output / tailshaft seal (if the yoke rides in one) | $10 to $30 |
| Driveline shop to press the U-joint and check balance | $50 to $150 |
| Independent shop, yoke + U-joint + seal installed | Roughly $250 to $500 |
| Rebuilt or new complete driveshaft | Often several hundred dollars and up |
If the tubes are straight, the other U-joints are good and balance weights are intact, replacing just the yoke is the cheapest fix. If the shaft has a dent, missing balance weights, or every joint is worn, pricing a full driveshaft rebuild makes more sense.
Doing It Yourself
- Mark the driveshaft and both flanges or yokes with paint before removal so it goes back in the same position and phase.
- Remove the shaft and press the U-joint out of the old yoke. A U-joint puller or a C-frame press like the OTC 7249 ball joint and U-joint kit makes this a bench job instead of a hammer job.
- Install a new U-joint in the new yoke. Do not reuse the old joint in a new yoke.
- Clean and grease the splines. If the yoke rides in a seal, replace the seal while the shaft is out.
- Slide the yoke in gently so the seal lip does not roll, reinstall the shaft on your marks, torque the fasteners, and top off the transmission or transfer case fluid.
- Road test for clunk and vibration. A new vibration usually means the shaft went back out of phase.
Note for 2005-and-Newer Tacoma Owners
The second-generation Tacoma has its own well-known clunk on takeoff from the rear driveshaft slip joint, which Toyota addressed with a service bulletin calling for cleaning and re-greasing the joint. That is a different driveshaft from the 1995-2004 trucks, and the 37302-35050 yoke does not apply to it.
Fix the Clunk for the Cost of the Part
The slip yoke is one of the cheapest driveline repairs on an older Toyota if you do the bench work yourself. Order the yoke and do the U-joint and seal at the same time. Free shipping on every order.
Shop the 37302-35050 Slip Yoke → Core Transmission Parts →FAQ
What does a bad driveshaft slip yoke sound like?
Usually a single clunk on takeoff, when shifting into drive or reverse, or when you get on and off the throttle. It comes from rotational lash in worn or dry splines. A worn U-joint can make the same sound, so check both.
Can a slip yoke cause a transmission or transfer case leak?
Yes. Where the yoke slides into an output housing, its polished shank rides in the rear seal. Rust pitting or wear on that surface tears up the seal lip, and a new seal on a pitted yoke will leak again. Replace the yoke and seal together.
Which Toyotas use slip yoke 37302-35050?
It is listed for 1995-2004 Tacoma, 1991-2006 4Runner, 1991-1995 Pickup, 1993-1998 T100, 1995-1997 Land Cruiser, and 2004-2005 Sequoia and Tundra. Toyota used several yokes across drivetrains, so confirm the part number on your old yoke or by VIN.
How much does it cost to replace a slip yoke on a Tacoma?
Doing it yourself, it is the cost of the yoke plus a U-joint and seal. An independent shop typically charges roughly $250 to $500 for the yoke, U-joint and seal installed.
Do I need to replace the U-joint when I replace the slip yoke?
Yes. The U-joint has to be pressed out of the old yoke to change it, and reusing a pressed-out joint is not worth the risk. Install a new U-joint in the new yoke.
Will greasing the slip yoke fix the clunk?
If the splines are just dry, greasing often quiets it. If the splines are worn, the clunk returns, and the yoke needs to be replaced.