Yukon Gear Axle Bearing and Seal Kit For C10 Aero Truck / 2.800in OD

A growl from the back of a half-ton Chevy or GMC that gets louder with speed and changes when you swing through a curve, or gear oil streaking the inside of a rear wheel and soaking the brake shoes, almost always comes down to a tired axle bearing or a failed axle seal. This is the Yukon Gear and Axle AK C10 kit: one 2.800 in. outside-diameter rear axle bearing (Torrington brand) and the matching axle seal, enough to service one side of a GM semi-float rear axle. Despite the old C10 name in its title, it is the bearing GM used across decades of light trucks, vans and SUVs with 7.5/7.6, 8.0, 8.5/8.6 and 9.5 in. rear ends.

What the axle bearing and seal do in a GM semi-float rear

In these GM rear axles the shaft is held in by a C-clip inside the differential, and the outer end of the shaft rides on a caged roller bearing pressed into the end of the axle tube. There is no inner race: the rollers run directly on a hardened journal ground into the axle shaft. The bearing carries the weight of the truck at that corner, while the lip seal just outboard of it keeps the differential gear oil inside the tube and dirt and water out. Because the rollers and the shaft share the load surface, a bearing that runs dry or contaminated wears the shaft as well as itself, which is why an early repair is far cheaper than a late one.

Symptoms of a worn axle bearing or leaking seal

• A hum, roar or growl from one rear corner that rises with road speed, not engine speed
• Noise that gets louder or quieter as the truck loads one side in a long turn
• Gear oil on the inside of the wheel, backing plate or brake rotor; wet rear brakes that grab or pull
• Rear diff fluid level low with no leak at the cover or pinion seal
• Roughness or play felt at the axle flange with the wheel off

How to confirm before you buy

Separate bearing noise from gear noise first. Ring and pinion whine usually changes between drive and coast, while a bad wheel bearing tracks road speed and side load. Raise the rear, spin each wheel by hand and feel for grinding, then check for oil behind the hub. Our write-up on rear axle bearing noise and axle seal replacement cost walks through the road test. If the gears themselves are noisy, a full carrier rebuild such as the GM 8.6 differential master overhaul kit is the better job.

Fitment

Yukon lists the AK C10 for GM rear axles with a 2.800 in. bearing bore, including the 1988-1999 C/K1500 pickups and Suburbans, 1999-2016 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500, 1995-2016 Tahoe and Yukon, Escalade, Avalanche, Express and Savana 1500 vans, S10 and Sonoma, Astro, TrailBlazer, Envoy, Bravada, Ascender and Hummer H3, across the 7.5/7.6, 8.0, 8.5/8.6 and 9.5 in. axles. Yukon also notes it fits 2007-up 9.5 in. axles with 6-lug shafts. Many of these trucks were built with more than one axle, so read the RPO code on the glove box sticker, count the cover bolts, and measure the bearing bore if in doubt. The kit services one side; order two for both ends. Send us your year and VIN if you want us to check it. For complete rebuilds see the GM 7.5/7.625 master overhaul kit and our driveline and performance parts.

Install notes

• Drain the diff, pull the cover, remove the pinion shaft lock bolt and pinion shaft, push the axle in and remove the C-clip, then slide the shaft out. Our C-clip vs C-clip eliminator guide explains the retention.
• Remove the old seal and bearing with a slide-hammer bearing puller; the rear axle bearing puller and seal driver kit does both jobs.
• Inspect the shaft journal where the rollers ride. If it is pitted, grooved or blued, a new bearing will fail quickly; replace the shaft instead of reusing it.
• Drive the new bearing in square to its seat, lube the seal lip and install it flush without cocking it.
• Refill with the gear oil grade on the axle tag or owner guide; add friction modifier if the axle has a GM limited-slip (G80 locker units have their own recommendation).

Does this kit do both rear wheels?

No. Yukon specifies that the AK C10 services one side: one axle bearing and one axle seal. Order two kits if you are replacing both sides, which is common on high-mileage trucks since both bearings have the same miles on them.

Will it fit my 1500 Silverado or Sierra?

Yukon lists it for 1999-2016 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 rear axles in the 8.6 and 9.5 in. sizes, and earlier 1988-1999 C/K1500 trucks. GM used several axles in these trucks, so check the RPO code on the glove box sticker or the bearing bore, which must be 2.800 in., or send us your year and VIN.

Do I need a new axle shaft too?

Only if the journal is damaged. The rollers ride directly on the shaft, so a failed bearing often leaves a groove or pitting where it ran. A smooth, unworn journal can be reused with this kit; a grooved one should be replaced or the new bearing will wear out fast.

Can I replace just the seal?

You can, but the seal sits right outboard of the bearing and a seal leak is often the first sign that the bearing is wearing and letting the shaft move. Since the axle has to come out either way, most technicians install both parts at once.

What gear oil do I refill with?

Use the grade on the axle tag or in your owner guide. Axles with a GM limited-slip or locker may call for a specific additive or fluid, so check that before you fill. Top off to the bottom of the fill plug hole on level ground.

• Gasket and Seal Materials Guide