Yukon Gear Master Overhaul Kit For 2011+ GM and Dodge 11.5in Diff

Heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500 pickups and leaf-spring Ram 3500s that tow hard eventually wear out the bearings in their American Axle 11.5 in. rear end. If yours has started to howl at cruise, growl when you lift off the throttle, or weep oil from the pinion seal, the Yukon Gear & Axle YK GM11.5-B master overhaul kit is the complete parts package to rebuild the 2011-and-up 11.5 in. axle with your existing ring and pinion. It is new, part number YK GM11.5-B.

What this kit does in an AAM 11.5 rear axle

The AAM 11.5 is a full-floating axle built for diesel torque and heavy trailers. The pinion is carried by two tapered roller bearings with a crush sleeve setting preload, and the carrier rides on its own pair of tapered bearings. Under constant load those bearings take most of the abuse. When they wear, pinion preload and gear mesh drift, the contact pattern moves toward the edge of the teeth, and the axle gets loud. Yukon's kit renews every one of those wear points with Timken carrier bearings and races, Timken pinion bearings and races, a pinion seal, a complete shim kit, ring gear bolts, a pinion nut, a crush sleeve, thread locker, marking compound with a brush and silicone for the cover.

Symptoms of a worn 11.5 axle

• Gear whine at a steady highway speed, often worse when towing.
• A deep rumble that grows with load, typical of a pitted pinion head bearing.
• Clunk when shifting from Drive to Reverse, or driveshaft yoke play.
• Gear oil on the pinion seal or the housing below it.
• Fine metal paste on the cover or drain plug.

How to confirm before you buy

With the truck safely supported, turn the pinion by hand and feel for roughness or notchiness, then push and pull the yoke to check for end play. Pull the cover and look at the oil and the magnet. A marking compound pattern check tells you whether the ring and pinion are worth keeping; this kit is meant for gears that are still healthy. Rule out wheel bearings and hub seals on the full-floating hubs, since a dry hub bearing can sound just like a pinion bearing.

Fitment

The YK GM11.5-B is listed for 2011-and-up GM and Chrysler 11.5 in. AAM axles. Published applications include 2011-2019 GM 2500HD and 3500 4x4, 2011-2013 Ram 2500 4x4 and 2011-2018 Ram 3500 4x4 with leaf springs and a 12-bolt ring gear, plus the 11.8 in. AAM used behind the 6.7L and Aisin automatic in 2013.5-and-up Ram trucks. Some retailers describe it as mid-2011-up, so a 2011 truck needs a check of the axle tag or the pinion bearings before ordering. For 2010 and earlier 11.5 axles use the Yukon YK GM11.5 for 2010 and down. 2014-up Ram 2500s and 2019-up Rams use their own kits: see the YK AAM11.5-C for 2014-up Ram 2500 and the YK AAM11.5-E for 2019-up Ram. If you are not sure, send us your year, model and VIN, or browse our rebuild kits collection.

Install notes

• Mark the carrier bearing caps left and right before you remove them; they are line-bored with the housing.
• Measure and record the original pinion depth shim so you have a starting point, then fine-tune with the kit shims and a marking compound pattern.
• Use the new crush sleeve and pinion nut every time, and check rotating torque as you tighten so you do not overshoot preload.
• Clean the ring gear bolt holes, apply the supplied thread locker and torque the bolts in a crisscross pattern to factory spec.
• Set backlash and carrier preload, confirm the final pattern, seal the cover with the supplied silicone and fill with the gear oil grade and capacity in your owner's manual.

If the gears are damaged, now is the time to change them: the 11.5 in. 4.56 ring and pinion set pairs with this kit, and the Yukon 11.5 in. wheel bearing and seal kit handles the hub side of a Ram axle while it is apart.

Which trucks does the YK GM11.5-B fit?

It is listed for 2011-and-up GM and Chrysler 11.5 in. AAM rear axles, including 2011-2019 GM 2500HD and 3500 4x4, 2011-2013 Ram 2500 4x4 and 2011-2018 Ram 3500 4x4 with leaf springs, plus the 11.8 in. AAM in 2013.5-up Ram with the 6.7L and Aisin automatic. Send us your VIN if your truck is a 2011.

Does it come with a new ring and pinion?

No. This master overhaul kit rebuilds the axle around your existing ring and pinion. If your gears are chipped or pitted, order a ring and pinion set with it.

What is included in the kit?

Timken carrier bearings and races, Timken pinion bearings and races, a pinion seal, a complete shim kit, ring gear bolts, a pinion nut, a crush sleeve, thread locker, marking compound with a brush, and silicone for the cover.

Is this the right kit for a 2014-up Ram 2500?

No. 2014-up Ram 2500s and 2019-up Rams use different Yukon kits, the YK AAM11.5-C and YK AAM11.5-E. This kit covers the 2011-2013 Ram 2500 and leaf-spring Ram 3500 through 2018.

What noise means the bearings are bad?

A whine or growl that changes with road speed and load, especially while towing, points to worn pinion or carrier bearings. Check wheel bearings first, then confirm with a hand spin of the pinion and a gear pattern check.