Yukon Gear Hardcore Locking Hub Set For Dana 60 / 30 Spline. 75-93 Dodge / 77-91 GM / 78-97...

Older one-ton 4x4s with a 30-spline Dana 60 front axle, such as the 1977-1991 Chevrolet and GMC K30 and V30 trucks, the 1978-1997 Ford F-350 and 1975-1993 Dodge W-series and Ram trucks with the internal flange hub design, are now decades into their original lockouts. The usual complaints are a dial that will not turn, a hub that clicks and skips when the front axle is loaded, or no front pull at all on a slick ramp. The Yukon Gear & Axle Hardcore set YHC70003 replaces both front lockouts with all-steel hubs made for the 30-spline outer stub.

What the locking hub does on a 30-spline Dana 60

On these trucks the wheel hub turns on tapered bearings that ride on the spindle, held by a washer and two spindle lock nuts. The outer axle stub sticks through the spindle but is not connected to the wheel until the lockout ties them together. Dial the Hardcore hub to LOCK and a splined driver and coupler, pushed by a coil spring, mesh the 30-spline stub with the wheel hub splines so the front axle can drive. In FREE the cam spacer holds the driver back and the wheel rolls on its bearings while the axle shafts, carrier and front driveshaft sit still. Yukon uses chromoly internals, an all-steel bezel that switches with a 1/3 turn, and a coating on the locking gears to cut friction. Yukon also designs the hub to default to locked and stay engaged under high torque.

Symptoms that point to the lockouts

• Transfer case shows 4WD but only the rear tires pull
• Clicking or popping from one front corner when climbing or backing out of mud
• Dial stuck between positions, or the arrow will not line up with FREE or LOCK
• Front driveshaft and axle keep turning with both hubs set to FREE
• Water, rust or grey grease inside the cap after a creek crossing

How to confirm before you buy

Raise both front tires, put the transfer case in neutral and set the hubs to LOCK. Turn a tire by hand: the front driveshaft should turn with it. Switch to FREE and spin again; nothing behind the wheel should move and you should hear no ratcheting. Grab the stub axle and check for play up and down and side to side. Yukon warns that a worn spindle-to-axle bearing can keep a lockout from engaging and releasing properly, so fix that first. Our guide to locking hubs that will not engage covers vacuum, spline and bearing causes.

Fitment

Yukon's application chart lists YHC70003 for 30-spline Dana 60 fronts on 1975-1993 Dodge (internal flange design only), 1977-1991 GM and 1978-1997 Ford F-350. It is not for external lockout or external flange hubs. Pull one old hub and count the outer stub splines before ordering: a 35-spline axle on the same trucks takes the YHC70001 35-spline set, and a 1999-2004 Super Duty uses the YHC70004 Super Duty set. If only one side is bad, Yukon also makes a single 30-spline Hardcore hub. Not sure what you have? Send us the year, VIN and spline count and we will check it.

Install notes

• Set the parking brake on level ground and shift the transfer case to 2WD or neutral before removing the old lockouts.
• With the old hub out you can reach the spindle nuts. Repack the wheel bearings now and set preload carefully, since Yukon says bearing setup affects how the lockout works.
• This standard spindle kit uses the spring retainer: flat end facing out, coil spring seated on it, then the greased spacer, driver and coupler.
• Coat every internal part with high pressure grease, lube the o-rings, and torque the 10-24 bezel bolts to 22 in-lbs with one drop of Loctite 242.
• Driver float between the retainer plate and spacer must be under 0.200 in. More than that means the wrong part number for the axle.

Worn kingpins show up as play at the knuckle on these closed-knuckle axles, and the 1975-1993 Dana 60 kingpin rebuild kit covers the same Ford, GM and Dodge years. For differential work while the axle is apart, see the Dana 60 front master overhaul kit and our Dana 60 front axle problems guide.

Which trucks does YHC70003 fit?

Yukon lists it for 30-spline Dana 60 front axles on 1975-1993 Dodge with the internal flange hub design, 1977-1991 GM and 1978-1997 Ford F-350. Count your outer stub splines to be sure.

Will it fit a Dodge with external lockout hubs?

No. Yukon says these hubs fit internal lockout or flange designs only. Dodge fitment is internal flange design only.

Is this a pair?

Yes, the set covers both front wheels. A single 30-spline Hardcore hub, YHC71003, is sold separately for replacing one side.

What should I service while the hubs are off?

Check the stub axle for play, then repack the wheel bearings and set preload. Yukon notes a worn spindle-to-axle bearing can stop any lockout from engaging properly.

How do I check the hubs after installing them?

With the front tires off the ground, set LOCK and turn a tire: the driveshaft should turn. Set FREE and spin it again: the driveshaft should stay still with no ratcheting.

Do the hubs need maintenance after deep water?

Yes. Yukon says hubs that are submerged in water or mud must be taken apart, cleaned and re-greased each time.