Slip yoke assembly for vehicle driveshaft

A slip yoke assembly for a vehicle drive train assembly includes a yoke shaft having a shaft portion with a plurality of external splines formed thereon. A hollow transition member having a plurality of internal splines is connected to the yoke shaft for rotational driving movement, yet is permitted to move axially relative thereto. A hollow weld ring is secured to the yoke shaft for rotational movement therewith. The weld ring extends co-axially about the splined connection between the transition member and the shaft portion of the yoke shaft and provides an exterior surface to which one or more balance weights may be secured. The weld ring also provides an annular space to retain a quantity of lubricant for the splined connection. A flexible convoluted boot is provided to seal the splined connection between the transition member and the shaft portion of the yoke shaft. A first end of the boot is secured to the weld ring, while a second end of the boot is secured to the transition member. The boot prevents contaminants from entering into the splined connection between the transition member and the shaft portion of the yoke shaft. A sleeve cup is also provided to seal the splined connection between the transition member and the shaft portion of the yoke shaft. The sleeve cup includes a circular body portion having a relatively short, axially extending flange portion. The circular body portion of the sleeve cup extends over the open end of the transition member to prevent contaminants from entering into the splined connection between the transition member and the shaft portion of the yoke shaft through the interior of the driveshaft section. The flange portion of the sleeve cup is frictionally engaged between the inner cylindrical surface of the driveshaft section and the outer cylindrical surface of the transition member to retain it in position during use.