Yukon Gear Master Overhaul Kit For GM 8.2in Diff For Buick / Oldsmobile / and Pontiac

Restoring a GTO, Firebird, Cutlass or Buick A-body with the original 8.2 in. ten-bolt? If that rear has started to whine on the highway, clunk on throttle changes or drip from the pinion, the Yukon Gear & Axle YK GM8.2BOP is the complete bearing and seal kit to bring it back. It is a new master overhaul kit built for the Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac version of the GM 8.2 in. differential, known as the BOP 8.2, with Timken bearings and races.

What this kit does in the BOP 8.2 rear

GM built two different 8.2 in. ten-bolt rears in the muscle-car era. The Chevrolet version holds its axles with C-clips inside the carrier; the Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac version uses bolt-in axles retained at the outer bearing, and its internal parts are not the same. In both, the pinion spins on two tapered bearings preloaded by a crush sleeve, and the carrier sits on side bearings with shims that set backlash between the 8.2 in. ring gear and the pinion. After fifty-plus years and countless burnouts, those bearings are usually tired. The YK GM8.2BOP replaces them with Timken carrier bearings and races and pinion bearings and races, and adds a new pinion seal, a complete shim kit, ring gear bolts, pinion nut, crush sleeve, thread locker, gear marking compound with a brush and the cover gasket.

Symptoms of a worn BOP 8.2

• Gear whine at cruise that changes pitch between acceleration and coasting
• A low rumble from the center of the car that grows with speed
• A clunk when you get on and off the throttle, often from excess pinion play
• Gear oil on the pinion yoke, the driveshaft or the underside of the cover
• Bronze or steel glitter in the old oil when you drain it

How to confirm it before buying

First confirm you have the BOP axle and not the Chevrolet 8.2 or the later corporate 8.5. Bolt-in axles held by a retainer plate behind the brake backing plate point to the BOP unit; if the axles are held by C-clips inside the carrier, you have a Chevrolet-style rear and need a different kit, such as the 1964-72 GM 8.2 master overhaul kit. Then drain the oil, pull the cover and inspect the gear teeth. Clean teeth with a bearing-type noise mean this kit is the repair; chipped or pitted teeth mean a new gear set too.

Fitment

Yukon lists this kit for the GM 8.2 in. differential used by Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac. Pontiac Firebird owners note that all 1967-69 Firebirds used the 8.2 in. BOP ten-bolt, with the Chevrolet-corporate 8.5 arriving around 1970-71. One important exception from Yukon: the heavy-duty 8.2 ten-bolt found in the Buick Special and Grand Sport has a larger driver-side carrier bearing and a different inner pinion bearing (M804010), and Yukon does not make a kit for that axle. If you have a Buick rear, check the carrier bearing size before ordering. Year ranges and housings varied between divisions, so match the casting and axle style, or send us your year, model and VIN and we will check it. Browse more axle kits in our rebuild kits collection.

Install notes

• The BOP axles must come out to pull the carrier: remove the retainer nuts through the axle flange holes and slide each shaft out. Inspect the axle bearings and shafts while they are out; a worn shaft can be replaced with a BOP 8.2 bolt-in axle shaft.
• Note the number and position of the factory carrier and pinion shims before tearing down; they are the baseline for setup.
• Press bearings and races fully home with the right size driver, such as our 43-piece bearing, race and seal driver set.
• Set pinion preload slowly by tightening the pinion nut against the new crush sleeve and checking turning torque often.
• Read the pattern with the included compound before final assembly. If you are changing ratio, confirm the new gear set is made for the BOP 8.2.
• Fill with 75W-90 gear oil; an original cone-type posi unit generally also wants a limited-slip additive.

Will this kit fit a Chevrolet 8.2 ten-bolt?

No. The Chevrolet 8.2 uses C-clip axles and different internal parts. This kit is for the Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac 8.2 with bolt-in axles.

Does it fit the Buick Gran Sport heavy-duty rear?

No. Yukon notes the Buick Special and Grand Sport heavy-duty 8.2 uses a larger driver-side carrier bearing and a different inner pinion bearing, and it does not make a kit for that axle.

Which Firebirds have the BOP 8.2?

All 1967-69 Firebirds used the 8.2 in. BOP ten-bolt. Around 1970-71 Pontiac switched to the Chevrolet-corporate 8.5, which needs a different kit.

Are axle bearings or axle seals included?

No. The kit covers the carrier and pinion bearings and races, pinion seal, shims, ring gear bolts, pinion nut, crush sleeve, thread locker, marking compound and cover gasket. Axle bearings are separate.

Can I keep my original gears?

Yes, if the teeth are clean and undamaged. Start with the original shims and confirm the contact pattern with the marking compound included in the kit.