Yukon Gear 4340 Chrome-Moly Outer Stub Replacement For Dana 60

A front tire that stops pulling in four-wheel drive, a bang from the front axle while backing up a ledge, or a stub that snapped right at the spindle all lead Dana 60 owners to the same part: a new outer axle stub. Yukon Gear & Axle YA W46105 is a front outer stub for the Dana 60, made from 4340 chromoly with 30 splines on the hub end and an overall length of 12 inches. It is the short shaft that runs from the steering U-joint, through the spindle, out to the locking hub or drive flange, so it carries every bit of front-wheel torque on a one-ton 4x4.

What the outer stub does in a Dana 60 front

A solid front axle has to steer and drive at the same time, so each side is split into an inner shaft and an outer stub joined by a U-joint inside the steering knuckle. The inner shaft splines into the differential; the outer stub passes through the spindle on a bearing and its splined end engages the hub. When the hubs are locked, engine torque goes through the U-joint, down the stub and into the wheel. Because the stub is short and sits right at the joint, it sees a high twisting load whenever the wheel is turned and the axle is working hard. Yukon builds this one from 4340 chromoly with cold-rolled splines and induction heat treating, which is aimed at owners running bigger tires, lockers or lower gears than the axle was built for. Yukon lists it for use with a 5-332X series U-joint, so match the joint when you assemble the shaft.

Symptoms of a damaged outer stub

• One front wheel no longer drives in 4WD while the hub reads locked
• A loud crack under load, then free-spinning on that side
• Splines on the stub end twisted, rounded or stripped when the hub is pulled
• Clicking from the knuckle while turning in 4WD, often a worn U-joint that may have stressed the stub
• A gouged spindle bearing surface or grease that has turned to metal paste

How to confirm before you order

Jack the front up with the transfer case in neutral and the hubs locked. Hold one tire and turn the other: if the driveshaft does not turn, or the stub turns without the wheel, pull the hub and look. Slide the stub out and check the spline end, the bearing area and the U-joint ears for cracks. Count the splines at the hub end; this stub is 30 spline, and Dana 60 fronts were also built with 35-spline stubs, which need a different shaft and different hub parts. Measure the stub as well. Our Dana 60 front axle problems guide walks through the other failures that show up at the knuckle, and the chromoly vs stock axle guide explains when the upgrade is worth it.

Fitment

Yukon lists YA W46105 as a Dana 60 front outer axle, 30 spline, 12 inches long. That is the information we can confirm; Yukon does not publish a year-by-year vehicle chart on the product page. Kingpin Dana 60 fronts were used under Ford, GM and Dodge one-ton trucks, and outer stub length and spline count vary between them, so measure your old stub and count the splines before ordering, or send us the year, make and VIN and we will check it. If your hub end turns out to be 35 spline, look at the 35-spline hub and flange parts instead. The stub fits the same 30-spline hubs as the Hardcore 30-spline locking hub set and the 30-spline Hardcore drive flange kit. More axle parts are in our hard parts section.

Install notes

• Remove the hub or flange, wheel bearing nuts and rotor, then unbolt the spindle and pull the inner and outer shaft out as one assembly.
• Press the U-joint out of the old stub and into the new one with a new 5-332X series joint; a cracked or dry joint is often what broke the stub in the first place.
• Replace the spindle bearing and seal while the spindle is off; the Dana 60 front bearing and seal kit covers that job.
• Check the kingpins for play before buttoning it up; worn pins let the knuckle move and load the U-joint and stub at an angle. The kingpin rebuild kit fits 1975-1993 axles.
• Pack the wheel bearings, set bearing preload to the factory procedure for your truck, and torque the spindle nuts.
• Check the differential gear oil level (75W-90 or 75W-140 per your axle) once the job is done.

Sold as one stub. It ships new, in stock, from the USA, with a 1-year warranty.

Is this outer stub for a Dana 60 front with 30 or 35 splines?

It is 30 spline at the hub end and 12 inches long. Dana 60 fronts also came with 35-spline stubs, which this part will not fit. Count the splines on your old stub before ordering.

Which U-joint does it use?

Yukon lists the 5-332X series U-joint for this stub. Fit a new joint when you install it rather than reusing the old one.

Will it work with my locking hubs?

It works with 30-spline Dana 60 locking hubs and drive flanges, such as the Yukon Hardcore 30-spline hub set and drive flange kit. If your hub internals are worn, replace them at the same time so the new splines are not chewed by old ones.

Why chromoly instead of a factory stub?

4340 chromoly with rolled splines and induction heat treating is stronger than a typical factory shaft. It is worth it if you run larger tires, a front locker or low gears, or if you have already broken a stock stub.

Do I need to replace both sides?

It is sold as one stub. Many owners replace only the broken side, but if both stubs are original on a hard-used truck, inspect the other one for twisted splines or cracks while you are in there.

Which vehicles does it fit?

Yukon lists it as a Dana 60 front outer stub without a vehicle chart. Measure your old stub and count splines, or send us your year, make and VIN and we will confirm it.