Replacing Outer Yoke on PTO Shaft

Gordon Gould · Apr 16, 2017

I bought a beat up used winch. The lead in 1/2" of the splines on the tractor end of the pto shaft are all deformed as if the yoke was only partially on the shaft in a hard pull. So I need to replace the yoke. I have the correct size yoke in my junk/spare parts box but I don't have a cross. My question is: should I be able to disassemble the cross to remove just the outer yoke and then reassemble the cross in the new yoke w/o loosing some needles or would only a fool try to do this. It is a European cross and yoke and I am not sure I can find one locally at the auto parts. I have changed a few crosses but never tried to save them or even thought about it. Thanks

gg

Gator6x4 · Apr 16, 2017

The needle bearings are in the end caps. Grease the old u- joint then remove the otter retaining circling. Place the inboard end of the shaft in a vise with one of the caps in the otter yoke pointed straight up. Hold the end of the shaft with your left hand and strike the otter end near the end cap forcing it down and the joint end cap up, be careful don't strike too hard and eject the end cap onto the floor spilling the needle bearings. I usually force the cap almost out then twist with vise grips for the final remove. Check and make sure all the bearing are in the end cap, set it aside and repeat on the other side. Be careful, remember you have one side of the joint flopping around and could cause damage to the needle bearings. After both end caps are removed, remove the old pto yoke and replace with the new used one. Replace the end caps and after insuring they are on use the vise to force then in. You will need a small socket to set on the cap between the cap and vise to force the end cap in far enough to reinsert the retaining cir clip.