Cracked Driveshaft Yoke and Transmission Fluid Leaking

My transmission fluid has been leaking recently. I took it to a local shop and they determined it was was due to a bad output shaft seal. They replaced it with an OEM seal but the thing still leaks. I took it back to the shop and they said it’s not leaking. -_- I’ve taken it to two or three other shops without any luck.

Here are some pictures. It looks like a damaged driveshaft yoke but I can’t tell the source of the leak. I do experience driveline vibrations. What do you TW experts think it is?

There aren’t any huge puddles but there are some small blotches here and there on my garage floor. Is this drivable?

I already have an appointment next week with a reputable shop.

Truck Specs:
2016 SR5 DCSB 4x2 Automatic
67,000 miles
6.5” Maxtrac Lift
285/70R17 Tires
Pavement Princess

 

Crazy, I've never seen a drive shaft leak, but it certainly looks like it.

I wonder if you can order the stub separately from the driveshaft?

The next problem is, the lift is pulling the shaft away from the trans, so you could be occasionally over extending and causing damage to the seal.

Does anyone with a stock 2WD have a photo of the driveshaft to trans union?

 

This may be an ignorant question but with the severity of the driveshaft angle, would getting larger size tires help decrease the angle to where it’s closer to 0°?

These lifts are designed for tires up to 35” but I only put 33” so having a shorter tire, I feel like that could be contributing to the angle of the driveshaft.

 

Angle does affect wear and pull on the shaft for sure.

No tires do not affect driveshaft angle.

The carrier drop and spacers on the leaf springs do, most large kits come with wedge shaped spacers and carrier drops. Maybe share photos of the springs and driveshaft?

 

You thinking axle wrap?

 

Here is a couple of the carrier bearing, rear shock, rear diff.

 

A bit, but high angle also means binding with standard u joints. Although the photos don't show any wild bad angles, and I wasn't expecting the carrier mid joint. (I don't work on 2WD models up here in igloo land)

After looking at the photos I'd definitely put a carrier drop in. I have a photo of a bad one you can see, one sec lol.

 

So this has a carrier drop and washers to make it even lower.

Note: the traction arms are there for axle wrap, giant spacers have this issue.

 

I think with that lift, axle wrap could be exaggerated enough.

 

Drivers front tire shows some cupping too. You're truck is falling apart man.

Reminds me of mine.

 

That’s an excellent point. I agree and believe that the carrier bearing drop would help substantially. I’m looking at the lift and it only comes with the carrier bearing bracket but not to be confused with the carrier bearing drop that you mentioned.

 

Pretty sure carrier bearing bracket is a drop.
Pic of kit:

$53 Maxtrac Suspension 616800 Drive Shaft (Carrier Bearing Spacers & Brake Lines Brackets)

https://www.amazon.com/Maxtrac-Suspension-616800-Carrier-Brackets/dp/B01GQFE03K

Same part number listed.

 

Tryout spraying brake cleaner or some degreaser in that area and cleaning it up real nice. And then see if it leaks again. Could be old oil.
And agreed that your driveshaft probably over extends with a lift that high.

 

Thats an odd one OP maybe time for a 1 piece drive shaft?

 

I tried that already :/ so to back up further, it was leaking (it was reddish brown), I wiped it cleaned, sprayed it down, noticed it leaked again, so then I got the output shaft seal replaced and while replacing it, I also replaced the transmission fluid with new fluid, wiped it down, sprayed it again, and I’m still seeing the leak (this time it’s the new red transmission fluid color).

 

Oh thanks for the clarification! Would you think I potentially need spacers to drop it further then?

 

I know it's probably the coating on the yolk but what's with that crack around the base? Looks like a stress crack.

 

Doubt it. It seems to be part of the kit for your lift. I'm curious where yours went when the whole shebang was installed.

I have a 3" lift and am on about a 1" spacer myself.

 

That’s what it looks like to me too, but I don’t see any fluid seeping through those cracks. Nonetheless, despite those cracks being dry, it’s still concerning. One of the shops I went to said that it’s possible a stress fracture of some sort.

 

That's a smoking gun of something flexing in a way it shouldn't. Is that crack all the way around?