Yoke seized on 400 tranny.

[57Suburb]

Bought a used 400 tranny a few weeks back. Had a yoke on the tail shaft when I went to pick it up, and I assumed it was there to keep fluid from running out. Didn't bother to pull it out at the time because I didn't want to make a mess. Nothing to worry about, right? Well, bolted it up to the motor I'm dropping in my 72 and starting putting it in the old truck last night. I reached the point where it was almost home, and it was time to pull the yoke and slip the one already in the truck on the shaft. Gave it a tug and nothing. Grabbed a rubber mallet and gave it a couple swift blows, nothing. Grabbed the small sledge and gave it a few more "taps". Still nothing. Wow, never knew it was possible that these yokes can seize up on the shafts. Is it really seized? Tranny is pretty clean externally, nothing to indicated it has sat outside where moisture would be a problem. Hate to beat on it very hard for fear of damaging something inside the tranny. Anyone else ever had this problem? Any tips for getting this thing off? Grrrrr!

[daveklein]

I would rig up a gear puller, the kind with the hooks cause that would put the pressure where it will do the most good.....You may have to drill a hole in the middle of the yoke to get the screw part on the trans shaft...
Just my idea.....hope something works out for ya.....Ya think PO knew about it ???
Dave

[57Suburb]

I'd say it's pretty likely he knew.

I wondered if a pinion yoke puller would do the job, but I'm pretty sure the yoke is solid in the middle. Maybe a small hole? Got pretty frustrated last night, so didn't look real close.

[kwmech]

A lot of the short shaft 400s had bolt on yokes, does the yoke spin?

[daveklein]

I've heard of a pinion yoke puller but I've never needed one either....Maybe Advanced or Auto-Zone will let ya rent/use one?? The problem is the yoke has to slide on the splines....
I've had the same thing happen when I buy something and sort of trust the seller......Then when ya get home,,,. not quite what they said !!
Dave

[57Suburb]

Yes, the yoke turns by hand. Having never worked on something with the 400 in it, I didn't know they made one with a bolt on yoke. I was working in a low light situation, but that may be it. Didn't even think to look and see if there was a center bolt. If it does, then is it going to be compatible with a shaft that doesn't have that type of yoke?

[57Suburb]

Well, what do you know?! Learn something new every day. I'll guess I'll find out tonight when I get home.

[kwmech]

If it spins it is not seized. Maybe on the shaft fitting. Check to see how the splines are going to seal with your slip shaft

[kwmech]

Well?

[57Suburb]

It was a bolt on yoke. Amazing what a little light on the subject will do for you. LOL
So I got it off last night and got the motor and tranny bolted in. Now my only slight worry is that the driveshaft in the truck has a slide on yoke instead of the bolt on. Side by side, they seemed to be the same length. Hope I don't have any issues with it.

[kwmech]

Is the end of the yoke in your drive shaft sealed? Sometimes there is a small hole that may leak

[57Suburb]

I don't think it does.