Yukon Gear Dana 60 & Dana 70 Power Lok Clutch Set (Steel & Fiber)

A Dana 60 or Dana 70 with a Powr-Lok limited slip should put power to both rear tires on a slick boat ramp, a gravel launch or a snowy hill. When it starts spinning one tire like an open differential, the case is usually fine and the clutch discs are simply worn thin. The Yukon Gear and Axle YPKD60-PC-P/L is the replacement steel and fiber clutch set for the Dana Spicer 60, 70, 70U and 70HD Powr-Lok, so you can bring the posi in a heavy-duty truck, a one-ton build or a classic big-axle muscle car back to full bite without buying a new carrier.

What the clutch set does in a Dana 60 or 70 Powr-Lok

The Powr-Lok is a bolt-together, two-piece case. Instead of one cross pin, it uses two crossed pinion shafts whose ends sit in V-shaped ramps cut into the case halves. When the ring gear drives the case, the shafts climb those ramps and push the side gears outward. That outward push squeezes a clutch pack behind each side gear: fiber discs locked to the side gear interleaved with steel plates locked to the case. The harder you pull, the harder the packs clamp, and the more torque goes to the tire that still has grip. Every corner you drive makes those discs slip a little, so over tens of thousands of miles the friction material and the steel faces wear until there is not enough clamp left. Yukon describes this set as built around 10 carbon clutch plates.

Symptoms of worn Powr-Lok clutches

• One tire spins on wet pavement, gravel or snow while the other one stays still
• With one rear wheel off the ground, the raised wheel turns easily and the other side does not resist
• Chatter or a stick-slip groan in slow, tight turns that fresh gear oil and additive no longer stop
• A bang from the axle when coming out of a turn as the packs grab and release
• Fiber flakes or a fine gray paste on the drain plug magnet when the oil is changed

How to confirm before you order

First make sure it really is a Powr-Lok. Pull the cover: a Powr-Lok has a split case held together by bolts and two pinion shafts that cross in the middle. A Trac-Lok has a one-piece case with a single cross pin and a preload spring, and it takes a different clutch kit. Next, rule out the cheap fixes. Chatter on a Powr-Lok is often old oil or missing friction modifier, so start with a drain and refill; our friction modifier dosing guide explains how much to add. If it still acts open, pull the carrier and look at the ramps and case halves. Hammered ramps, cracks or a spun bearing journal mean the case is done, and clutches alone will not fix it. For Dana 70 owners that case is the Yukon YC D706053 Dana 70 Powr-Lok case. The Dana 60 rear axle problems guide and the Dana 70 rear axle guide cover the bearing and gear wear you should check while it is apart.

Fitment

Yukon lists this clutch set for the Dana Spicer 60, 70, 70U and 70HD with the Powr-Lok positraction unit. It is a clutch set only: no side gears, pinion gears, pinion shafts or case are included. The Dana 60 and 70 were used for decades in Ford, GM and Dodge heavy-duty trucks and vans, and many axles have been swapped or rebuilt since, so go by the carrier in your hands rather than the truck it came from. Compare your old discs and plates with the new ones before assembly, or send us the year, axle tag and VIN and we will help confirm it. Other Dana parts are under axle hard parts.

Install notes

• Mark the two case halves before you separate them; they are machined as a matched pair and must go back in the same orientation.
• Lay the old stack out in order and build the new stack in the same sequence, then soak the fiber discs in the gear oil you will run before assembly.
• Inspect the side gear and pinion shaft ramps for galling, and replace the carrier bearings if they are noisy or pitted. The Dana 60 carrier bearing kit covers a 60; Dana 70-U owners can use the Yukon D70-U master overhaul kit.
• Tighten the case bolts and ring gear bolts to the axle manufacturer's spec, and check that the assembled unit has breakaway resistance before it goes back in the housing.
• Refill with 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil as specified for your axle and add limited slip friction modifier if the oil does not already contain it, then drive a few slow figure-eights to work the oil into the packs.

Does this set fit a Dana 60 or 70 with a Trac-Lok?

No. YPKD60-PC-P/L is for the Powr-Lok, the two-piece bolt-together case with two crossed pinion shafts. A Trac-Lok uses a one-piece case and a different clutch kit.

Which axles does Yukon list for this clutch set?

Yukon lists the Dana Spicer 60, 70, 70U and 70HD with the Powr-Lok positraction unit.

Is anything besides clutch discs and plates included?

It is a steel and fiber clutch set. Side gears, pinion gears, pinion shafts, the case and bearings are not included, so inspect those parts and replace anything worn.

My posi chatters in turns. Do I need new clutches?

Not always. Old gear oil or a missing friction modifier causes chatter on a healthy Powr-Lok. Change the oil and add modifier first. If it still slips one tire after a correct service, the clutches are worn.

What gear oil should I use after the rebuild?

Use the 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil specified for your axle, and add limited slip friction modifier if the oil does not already include it.

Can I reuse my old Powr-Lok case?

Yes, if the ramps, case halves, bearing journals and ring gear bolt threads are in good condition. If the ramps are hammered or the case is cracked, the case needs to be replaced along with the clutches.