Yukon Gear Dana 44 and GM 8.5in Front Spindle Replacement

Square-body Chevy and GMC 4x4 owners chasing a front wheel that will not stay tight, a bearing that spun on its journal, or a K5 Blazer hub seal that leaks no matter how many times it is replaced often end up needing a new spindle. Yukon Gear & Axle part YP SP706529 is a six-hole front spindle built for both front axles GM used under its half-ton and three-quarter-ton solid-axle trucks: the Dana 44 and the GM 8.5 in. (10-bolt) front.

What the spindle does on a K-series front axle

The spindle bolts to the steering knuckle with six bolts and the brake backing hardware. The hub and rotor turn on an inner and outer tapered bearing that sit on the spindle's two journals, and the spindle nut, lock washer and outer nut hold the preload. The outer axle shaft runs through the center of the spindle to the locking hub, so the spindle keeps the shaft centered and gives the hub seal its sealing surface. Yukon lists 1.625 in. and 2.000 in. bearing journals and a 6.40 in. overall length, with a deeper heat treatment on the journals than the original part. Because GM used the same spindle on its Dana 44 and its own 8.5 in. front, one part number covers both axles on the years below.

Symptoms of a worn spindle

• Front bearing play that comes back soon after a correct adjustment
• A bearing race that turns or slides on the journal, or a blued, scored journal after a bearing failure
• Grease on the inside of the wheel from a hub seal riding on a pitted surface
• Pulled or cross-threaded spindle nut threads
• Growl or shimmy from one front corner that grows with speed
• A locking hub that drags or will not lock because the outer shaft wanders

How to confirm before you buy

With the tire off the ground, rock it top to bottom while a helper holds the brake pedal. Movement that stops with the brake applied is bearing or spindle play; movement that remains is in the ball joints. Pull the hub, wipe the spindle clean and check each journal with a new bearing race. A race that slips on, deep scoring or damaged threads means the spindle should be replaced. The wheel bearing noise guide helps pin down which corner is making noise, and the Dana 44 problems guide covers the gears, seals and joints in the same axle.

Fitment

Yukon's fitment chart lists YP SP706529 for:

• Dana 44 front, standard rotation: 1973-1974 Chevrolet K20 and GMC K25/K2500 pickups, 1975-1980 K20, 1976-1980 K10 and K5 Blazer, 1975-1978 GMC K25 and 1979-1980 GMC K2500
• GM 8.5 in. front, 28 spline: 1977-1986 Chevrolet K10, K20 and K5 Blazer, 1977-1978 GMC K15 and K25
• Also listed: 1976 GMC K15, 1979-1986 GMC K1500, 1981-1986 GMC K2500, 1987 V10, V20, V1500 and V2500, and 1987-1988 Blazer

Yukon's product notes also mention 1985-1993 Dodge half-ton fronts, but its chart only shows GM trucks; Dodge owners should look at the 1985-1993 Dodge Dana 44 spindle, which carries the same journal sizes. This part is not for 1988-and-later GM trucks with independent front suspension. Count the six bolt holes and measure the journals on your old spindle, or send us the year and VIN and we will confirm it.

Install notes

• Remove the locking hub, outer nut, lock washer and adjusting nut, then the hub and rotor. A spindle nut socket set keeps the nuts from being chewed up.
• Unbolt the spindle and pull it off the outer shaft. Inspect the shaft splines, the U-joint and any seal or bushing inside the spindle bore.
• Clean the knuckle face, fit the new spindle and torque the bolts to the factory figure in a cross pattern.
• Pack new bearings with high-temperature wheel bearing grease, install a new hub seal and set preload per the factory manual.
• Loose ball joints are common on these trucks; the ball joint press kit with 4x4 adapters handles both the joints and the axle U-joints.

For hubs, the Hardcore hub set for the GM 8.5 front suits 1979-and-later trucks, and the 19-spline Dana 44 hub set covers 1978-and-earlier GM Dana 44 fronts. The locking hubs buyers guide compares them.

Does this spindle fit both the Dana 44 and the GM 10-bolt front?

Yes. Yukon lists it for GM trucks with either the Dana 44 standard-rotation front or the GM 8.5 in. 28-spline front on the years in its chart.

Will it fit my 1988-and-later Chevy K1500?

No. Those trucks use independent front suspension. Yukon's chart for this part covers solid-axle trucks through 1987, plus the 1987-1988 Blazer.

What size are the bearing journals?

Yukon lists 1.625 in. and 2.000 in. journals, six bolt holes and a 6.40 in. overall length.

Can I use it on a 1985-1993 Dodge?

Yukon's notes mention Dodge half-ton fronts, but its chart lists only GM trucks for this part. The YP SP706570 spindle is the one Yukon charts for 1985-1993 Dodge, or send us your VIN.

What should be replaced at the same time?

Inner and outer wheel bearings and races, the hub seal, any seal or bushing in the spindle bore, and worn ball joints or axle U-joints.