Yukon Gear 1541H Alloy Rear Axle For 8.5in GM 2Wd C10 Truck

This shaft is for 1988 to 2000 Chevrolet and GMC two-wheel-drive trucks with the 8.5 inch 10-bolt rear, the half-ton C-series pickups being the most common. Owners usually need one after a shaft breaks while towing, after a C-clip or pinion cross shaft failure lets a shaft slide out of the carrier, or when a rear wheel seal will not stop leaking. Yukon YA G26010417 is a new 1541H alloy rear shaft with 30 splines, a 5-lug flange and an overall length of 32 inches.

What the axle shaft does in a GM 8.5 truck rear

Like the GM car 10-bolts, the 8.5 truck axle uses C-clips to hold the shafts in. A clip in a groove at the inner tip stops the shaft from pulling out of the side gear, and the pinion cross shaft through the carrier blocks the shaft from sliding in far enough to free the clip. The outer end runs on a roller bearing pressed into the axle tube, and the truck's weight sits on that bearing and the shaft. That makes it a semi-float axle: if the shaft breaks outboard of the bearing, or the clip is lost, the shaft and wheel can move outward. On a work truck that pulls trailers, that is not a part to run past its limit.

Symptoms that point to this shaft

• Clicking or clunking from the rear when turning or when getting on and off the throttle, often a loose cross shaft or worn splines.
• Noticeable in-and-out play at one rear wheel, or a wheel that has started to push outward against the brake drum: lost C-clip, broken lock bolt or a broken shaft.
• Gear oil soaking the brake shoes on one side, especially when a new seal fails fast; the seal surface on the old shaft is likely grooved.
• A rumble from one rear corner that changes with speed but not with throttle, from a pitted bearing journal.
• No drive to the wheels with the driveshaft spinning, the sign of a shaft broken in the splines.

A broken or worn shaft does not set a trouble code of its own on these trucks. Look for the mechanical signs.

How to confirm it before you buy

Safely support the truck, pull the rear wheel and drum, and push and pull on the flange; more than slight end play is a warning. Drain the axle, remove the 10-bolt cover, take out the cross shaft lock bolt and the cross shaft, push the shaft in and remove the C-clip. Slide the shaft out and check the splines, the clip groove and the bearing journal. A broken lock bolt is a common 10-bolt fault on its own, so if the cross shaft has walked, check the ring gear and carrier for damage before buying parts. If the gears are worn, the Yukon 3.08 ring and pinion for GM 8.5 and 8.6 fits this axle with its 30-spline pinion and 10 ring gear bolts.

Fitment

Yukon lists YA G26010417 for 1988 to 2000 GM 8.5 inch trucks with two-wheel drive: 30 spline, 5 lug, 32 inches long. Four-wheel-drive trucks of the same years use different shafts, and trucks from this period also came with other rear axles, so confirm yours before ordering. Check that the cover has 10 bolts, check the RPO codes on the service parts label in the glovebox, count the splines on the old shaft, and measure it from the inner end to the outer edge of the flange the way Yukon measures C-clip axles. If the label shows a 1999 or 2000 truck has the 8.6 inch axle instead, this is the wrong shaft, and the 1999-2008 GM 8.6 master overhaul kit is the Yukon rebuild kit for that axle. A GM 10-bolt car rather than a truck takes the 28-spline GM 8.2 and 8.5 passenger car shaft. If yours is not 30 spline and 32 inches, send us the year, cab and VIN and we will check it.

Install notes

• Install a new axle bearing and seal in the tube every time. The rollers ride on the shaft, and a used bearing will groove the new journal.
• Use a new cross shaft lock bolt with thread locker; it is the part that keeps the C-clips from coming out.
• Clean both cover faces and reseal with RTV or a fresh gasket. If the stock cover is dented or rusted through, Yukon also makes a steel 10-bolt cover kit; Yukon lists it for the GM 8.2 and 8.6, so hold your cover up to it and confirm the bolt pattern before ordering.
• Refill with 75W-90 gear oil to the bottom of the fill hole. Add friction modifier for a clutch-type limited slip only.
• Recheck for leaks at the seal and cover after the first drive.

Does this fit a 4x4 truck?

No. Yukon lists YA G26010417 for 1988 to 2000 GM 8.5 inch trucks with two-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive trucks use a different shaft.

What are the specs?

30 splines, 5-lug flange and 32 inches overall length. Measure your old shaft from the inner end to the outer edge of the flange and count its splines to compare.

Why did my shaft come out of the axle?

On a C-clip axle the shaft can only slide out if the C-clip is gone or the shaft broke. The usual cause is a broken pinion cross shaft lock bolt that lets the cross shaft move and the clip fall out. Replace the lock bolt and check the carrier.

Do I need to replace the wheel bearing too?

Yes. The bearing rollers run directly on the shaft, so install a new bearing and seal with the new shaft.

Will it fit a 1999-2000 truck with the 8.6 axle?

Yukon lists this shaft for the GM 8.5 inch truck axle. If your truck has a different axle, confirm with the RPO codes on the glovebox label or send us the VIN before ordering.