Timken master bearing kit for the GM 9.5 12-bolt rear axle in 2014-2018 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe and Yukon: bearings, seal, crush sleeve, shims.
If your 2014-2018 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon or Yukon XL has started to howl on the highway, or the drone changes pitch the moment you lift off the gas, the rear axle bearings are the first thing to suspect. Motive Gear R9.5GRLAMKT is a complete master bearing kit for the GM 9.5-inch 12-bolt rear axle that went under the half-ton trucks and full-size SUVs starting with the 2014 redesign. It puts new Timken bearings in every position the gears depend on and includes the seal, sleeve, shims and hardware you disturb to get there, so one box covers a full bearing job or a gear swap.
The 2014-up 9.5 is a C-clip, integral-carrier rear with a 12-bolt cover. It is a different axle from the older GM 9.5 semi-float units with the 14-bolt cover, and parts do not cross between them. The pinion rides on an inner and an outer tapered roller bearing, and a collapsible crush sleeve between them sets how tightly those bearings are loaded. The carrier spins on two tapered side bearings held in the housing by bolted caps, with shims locating it side to side. Those four bearings hold the ring gear and pinion at the exact depth and backlash they were set at. When a pinion bearing pits or loses preload, the pinion moves under torque, the contact pattern shifts, and the gears start to sing. Left alone, the noise grows and the gear teeth themselves begin to wear, which turns a bearing job into a ring and pinion job.
Drive the truck on a smooth road and note at what speed the noise starts and whether it changes on decel. Tire, wheel bearing and exhaust drone can mimic axle noise, so swap tire positions or try a different road surface if you are not sure. Then pull the driveshaft and check the pinion yoke for play, drain the oil, and look at the cover and magnet. Heavy glitter, chipped teeth or a pattern worn to the toe or heel means the gears may need replacing too. If you are already planning a ratio change, pairing this kit with a new set such as the Yukon 3.42 gear set for the 14-up GM 9.5 means the new gears never run on tired bearings.
This kit is listed for the GM 9.5-inch 12-bolt rear in 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL with the 5.3L and without the Max Trailering Package. Trucks with Max Trailering were built with the larger 9.76-inch rear and need a different kit. Summit's application catalog for this part number also runs into later model years, so if your truck is outside the 2014-2018 range, count the cover bolts (it must be a 12-bolt cover), check the axle code on the glovebox or door label, or send us the year and VIN and we will confirm it before it ships. The rest of our ring and pinion, posi and install parts are in the hard parts category.
Pull the axles (C-clips come out after the cross pin), then the carrier and the pinion. Drive the new pinion races in fully seated, set pinion depth with the shims, and install the new crush sleeve. Tighten the pinion nut in small steps and check rotating torque with an inch-pound wrench such as the Lexivon LX-180; overshoot and the sleeve has to be replaced, because a crushed sleeve cannot be backed off. Press the carrier bearings on squarely, set backlash with the side shims, and read the pattern with the marking compound before the cover goes on. Revolution Gear's setup chart lists .006-.010 in. backlash for GM 9.5 gear sets; use the GM service information for the 12-bolt for preload and cap torque. A pinion depth setting tool takes most of the guesswork out of a new gear install. Refill with the gear oil GM specifies for your axle, and add friction modifier only if the axle has a clutch-type limited slip that calls for it. If you are adding traction at the same time, the Yukon Dura Grip for the 2014-up GM 9.5 and 9.76 goes in during the same teardown.
| Fits | GM 9.5 inch 12-bolt rear, 2014-2018 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL (5.3L without Max Trailering Package) |
| Part number | Motive Gear R9.5GRLAMKT |
| Includes | Timken tapered carrier bearings, Timken inner and outer pinion bearings, pinion seal, crush sleeve, pinion and carrier shims, pinion nut, ring gear bolts, marking compound and brush, thread locker, RTV |
| Weight | 8.2 lb |
| Condition | New |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. Max Trailering trucks of this generation use the larger 9.76-inch rear axle. This kit is for the 9.5-inch 12-bolt used on the 5.3L trucks and SUVs without that package. Check the axle code on the label or send us your VIN.
No. The 1979-1997 GM 9.5 semi-float rear is a different design with a 14-bolt cover and different bearings. This kit is only for the 2014-up 9.5 with the 12-bolt cover.
Not always. If the old gears show an even pattern with no chipped or pitted teeth, bearings alone can quiet the axle. If the gears are scored or the noise has been there a long time, replace the ring and pinion with the bearings so the setup is done once.
No. A crush sleeve is a one-time part, and the kit includes a new sleeve and nut for that reason. If you overtighten past the preload spec, the sleeve must be replaced, not loosened.
At minimum a bearing puller or press for the carrier and pinion bearings, a dial indicator for backlash, and an inch-pound torque wrench for pinion preload. A pinion depth tool is strongly recommended if you are installing new gears.
