A drawbar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The drawbar assembly includes a yoke plate, a backbar, a drawbar tube, and a sleeve. The yoke plate includes a first surface and a second surface. The backbar is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate. The backbar includes a tube facing surface. The drawbar tube includes a first end and a second end. The drawbar tube is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate, defining a clearance between the first end of the drawbar tube and the tube facing surface of the backbar. The sleeve encloses at least a portion of the drawbar tube. The sleeve includes a backbar attachment portion and a yoke attachment portion. The backbar attachment portion is attached to the tube facing surface of the backbar and the yoke attachment portion is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate.