Transfer case yoke
A yoke for a transfer case output shaft includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve portion and a disc-shaped flange portion extending radially from an outer portion of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion. The hollow cylindrical sleeve portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines configured to engage outwardly extending splines of the transfer case outlet shaft. The disc-shaped flange portion has a plurality of fastener openings therethrough that correspond to fastener openings through a flange portion of a companion flange. A notch is formed through the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion at an open end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion. A groove is formed within the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve and extends about a rotation axis of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion. A C-clip is received within the groove for restricting axial movement along the rotation axis and includes open ends that are received within the notch.
1. A yoke for a transfer case output shaft in combination with a lift kit for a vehicle, including:
a hollow cylindrical sleeve portion;
wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines formed on an inner surface on the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion;
wherein the inwardly extending splines are configured to engage with outwardly extending splines of the transfer case output shaft;
a disc-shaped flange portion extending radially from an outer portion of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion;
wherein the disc-shaped flange portion has a plurality of fastener openings therethrough;
wherein an outer surface of the yoke is stepped along its longitudinal axis with an outer diameter being greatest at the disc-shaped flange portion;
wherein the fastener openings of the disc-shaped flange portion correspond in size and location with a plurality of fastener openings through a flange portion of a companion flange;
wherein, in an assembled configuration, the transfer case output shaft, yoke and companion flange rotate together;
a notch through the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion at an end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion;
a groove formed within the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion and extending about a rotation axis of the hollow cylindrical sleeve; and
a C-clip received within the groove for restricting axial movement relative to the rotation axis;
wherein open ends of the C-clip are received within the notch;
wherein the yoke is installed in combination with a lift kit for a vehicle having a first driveshaft angle articulation;
wherein the lift kit provides a second driveshaft angle articulation greater than the first driveshaft angle articulation after components of the lift kit and the yoke are installed on the vehicle.
2. The yoke of claim 1 , wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve includes forty two (42) inwardly extending splines formed on the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve.
3. The yoke of claim 1 , wherein the disc-shaped flange portion includes four fastener openings therethrough that are spaced about a circumference region of a face of the disc-shaped flange portion.
4. The yoke of claim 3 , wherein the inner surfaces of the fastener openings through the disc shaped flange portion are threaded.
5. The yoke of claim 1 , wherein the yoke includes at least one counterbore within a central opening through the disc-shaped flange portion.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the yoke at an end opposite the disc-shaped flange portion is tapered.
7. A method for installing a lift kit and a yoke on a vehicle, including steps of:
removing components of a conventional drivetrain corresponding to components of lift kit;
installing the components of the lift kit on the vehicle;
installing the yoke for a transfer case output shaft on the vehicle;
wherein the yoke includes:
a hollow cylindrical sleeve portion, wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines formed on an inner surface on the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion;
wherein the inwardly extending splines are configured to engage with outwardly extending splines of the transfer case output shaft;
a disc-shaped flange portion has a plurality of fastener openings therethrough;
wherein an outer surface of the yoke is stepped along its longitudinal axis with an outer diameter being greatest at the disc-shaped flange portion;
wherein the fastener openings of the disc-shaped flange portion correspond in size and location with a plurality of fastener openings through a flange portion of a companion flange;
wherein, in an assembled configuration, the transfer case output shaft, yoke and companion flange rotate together;
a notch through the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion at an end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion;
a groove formed within the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion and
extending about a rotation axis of the hollow cylindrical sleeve; and
a C-clip received within the groove for restricting axial movement relative to the rotation axis;
wherein open ends of the C-clip are received within the notch.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the yoke is a component of a universal joint of the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve includes forty-two inwardly extending spines formed on the inner surface of the how cylindrical sleeve.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the disc-shaped flanged portion includes four fastener openings therethrough that are spaced about a circumference region of a face of the disc-shaped flange portion.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein inner surfaces of the fastener openings through the disc shaped flange portion are threaded.