Yukon Gear Hardcore Locking Hub Set For Dana 60 / 35 Spline. 79-91 GM / 78-97 Ford / 79-93...

If you drive a 1979-1991 GM, 1978-1997 Ford F-350 or 1979-1993 Dodge one-ton with a Dana 60 front axle, the factory or old aftermarket locking hubs are often the weakest, most worn part of the front driveline. They slip out of lock under load, stick halfway between FREE and LOCK, or leave you with no front drive when you need it. The Yukon Gear & Axle Hardcore locking hub set YHC70001 replaces both hubs with an all-steel unit built for 35-spline Dana 60 outer axle shafts.

What a locking hub does on a Dana 60

On these trucks the front wheel hub rides on its own bearings on the spindle, and the outer axle shaft passes through the spindle into the center of the hub. The locking hub is the clutch between the two. In FREE, the wheel turns on its bearings and the axle shaft, front differential and front driveshaft stay still, which saves wear and fuel in 2WD. In LOCK, a splined driver and coupler tie the axle shaft to the wheel hub so the front axle can pull. Yukon builds the Hardcore hub with chromoly internals and all-steel construction, a dial that moves from disengaged to engaged in 1/3 turn, and a low-profile bezel that is less likely to catch on rocks. Yukon also designs it to default to the locked position and not disengage under high torque.

Symptoms of worn locking hubs

• The front axle does not pull in 4WD even though the transfer case is engaged
• A ratcheting or popping noise from a front wheel when you load the truck in 4WD
• A dial that is hard to turn, will not center on FREE or LOCK, or turns without doing anything
• The front driveshaft keeps spinning in 2WD with the hubs set to FREE
• Rust, water or mud inside the hub after a crossing

How to confirm the hubs are the problem

Jack up both front wheels, set the hubs to LOCK and the transfer case in neutral, and turn a tire by hand. If the front driveshaft turns, that hub is engaging. Set them to FREE and spin the tire again; the driveshaft should stay still with no ratcheting. Before you buy, check the stub axle for play up and down and side to side. Yukon warns that a worn spindle-to-axle bearing can keep any hub from engaging and disengaging properly, so a new hub will not fix a worn spindle bearing. Our locking hubs not engaging guide walks through the other causes, and the manual locking hubs buyers guide compares options for Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles.

Fitment

Yukon lists YHC70001 for 1979-1991 GM, 1978-1997 Ford F-350 and 1979-1993 Dodge one-ton fronts with a Dana 60 and 35-spline outer shafts. It fits internal lockout or flange designs only; it is not compatible with external lockout or flange style hubs, and Yukon notes it does not work with Stage-8 lock nuts. Count the splines on your outer axle stub before ordering. A 30-spline axle needs the Yukon Hardcore 30-spline Dana 60 set, and a 1999-2004 Ford Super Duty takes the 99-04 Super Duty 35-spline set. Dodge trucks from 1994 on use unit bearings and need a different hub. If you are not sure, send us your year, VIN and the spline count.

Install notes

• Park on level ground with the parking brake set and the transfer case in 2WD or neutral before you remove the old hubs.
• With the old lockout off, you will see the stub axle and spindle lock nuts. This is the time to repack the wheel bearings and set preload correctly.
• Clean and deburr the hub splines, then grease the hub spline, axle shaft, spacer, driver and coupler with high pressure grease.
• Install the bezel bolts with a drop of Loctite 242 and tighten to 22 in-lbs. Over-tightening can bind the hub.
• Test LOCK and FREE with the wheels off the ground before driving.

If the bearing check turns up a bad spindle or worn axle parts, a Dana 60 front master overhaul kit handles the differential side, and Ford owners with a damaged spindle can use the Dana 60 Ford 5-hole replacement spindle. For the rest of the axle, see our Dana 60 front axle problems guide.

Is YHC70001 a pair or one hub?

This listing is the hub set for both front wheels. Yukon sells single Hardcore hubs separately for some Dana 60 applications.

How do I know if my Dana 60 is 30 or 35 spline?

Count the splines on the outer axle stub with the old hub removed. YHC70001 is for 35-spline shafts; 30-spline axles use the YHC70003 set.

Will these fit a 1994 or newer Dodge Ram?

No. Dodge Dana 60 fronts from 1994 on use unit bearings. YHC70001 covers 1979-1993 Dodge internal flange designs.

Do I need to service the wheel bearings when I install the hubs?

It is the best time to do it. Yukon recommends repacking the bearings and setting preload correctly while the lockout is off, since bearing setup affects hub function.

What grease and torque do the hubs need?

Yukon calls for high pressure grease on the hub splines, axle, spacer, driver and coupler, Loctite 242 on the bezel bolts, and 22 in-lbs on those bolts.

What do I do after driving through water or mud?

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