Yukon Gear Forged Yoke For GM 8.5in w/ A 1350 U/Joint Size
A grooved pinion yoke that keeps eating seals, a clunk from worn pinion splines, or a plan to step your Chevelle, Camaro, C10 or Silverado driveshaft up to a stronger 1350 joint all lead to the same part. This is the Yukon Gear and Axle YY GM8.5-1350-F forged pinion yoke for the GM 8.5 inch ten-bolt and the later 8.6 inch rear. It has a 30-spline bore for the pinion and a U-bolt style ear sized for a 1350 series U-joint. That means a 1.188 inch cap diameter with a 3.625 inch snap ring span, using an outside snap ring joint.
The yoke is the coupling between the driveshaft and the differential. It slides onto the pinion splines and is held by the pinion nut, and the rear U-joint of the driveshaft bolts into it with U-bolts. Its outer surface is also where the pinion seal rides, so the yoke both carries all of the driveline torque and keeps the gear oil inside the housing. A forged yoke like this one is denser and stronger than a cast part. That is why it is the usual pick for high-torque street cars, drag launches and trucks with oversized tires. If your use is mild, the cast version of this yoke has the same 1350 sizing.
Drop the driveshaft and check the yoke on the pinion. Rock it back and forth by hand and look for rotational play between the yoke and the pinion splines. Run a fingernail across the seal surface; a groove you can feel will leak with a new seal. Measure your driveshaft's rear U-joint: 1350 caps measure 1.188 inches, and the span between the outside snap rings is 3.625 inches. If the joint is a smaller series, you will need a matching driveshaft or a conversion joint along with this yoke. Excess pinion bearing play found during this check points to a full rebuild with a GM 8.5 master overhaul kit.
Yukon lists this yoke for a long run of GM 8.5 inch rears, from 1970s Camaro, Chevelle, Nova, Monte Carlo, Firebird, Cutlass and GTO cars through C10/K10, C1500/K1500, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban and G-van trucks. It also covers some GM 8.5 front axles on 1977-1991 K-series trucks and the 8.6 inch rear in 1999-2017 Silverado and Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Avalanche, Colorado, Canyon and Trailblazer models. Spline count and joint size must match your axle, so count the pinion splines (30) and measure the joint before ordering, or send us your year, model and VIN. More GM axle parts are in our hard parts department.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YY GM8.5-1350-F |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Forged Yoke For GM 8.5in w/ A 1350 U/Joint Size |
| Type | Differential Yokes |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It takes a 1350 series joint with 1.188 inch caps and a 3.625 inch span between outside snap rings. It uses U-bolts, not straps.
Yes. Yukon's application list includes the 1999-2017 GM 8.6 inch rear in Silverado and Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon and similar trucks, alongside the 8.5 inch. Confirm 30 pinion splines and a 1350 joint on your truck.
Both have the same 1350 sizing. The forged yoke is stronger and suits high-torque launches, big tires and heavy towing. The cast yoke is fine for stock-power street use.
Yes. Always fit a new pinion seal. Set the pinion nut correctly so you do not lose bearing preload on a crush-sleeve axle.
If the leak comes from a groove worn into the old yoke's seal surface, a new yoke and seal fix it. A leak from worn pinion bearings with play needs a bearing rebuild as well.
