Yukon Gear Master Overhaul Kit For Toyota V6 and Turbo 4 Diff / 02 & Down

A Toyota pickup or 4Runner that whines on the highway, growls in a turn, or keeps leaving gear oil on the pinion yoke usually has a tired rear third member. This Yukon Gear & Axle YK TV6 master overhaul kit is built for the 8 in. rear differential behind the V6 and the turbocharged 4-cylinder: 1986-1995 Pickup and 4Runner 4WD with the 3.0L V6, the 1985-1988 2.4L 4WD trucks Yukon lists with this rear (the turbo 4 in the title), and the 1996-2002 4Runner. It replaces every bearing, race, seal and setup part in the center section so the gears run quiet again.

What the overhaul kit does in a Toyota V6 rear differential

The Toyota 8 in. is a third-member axle: the carrier, pinion and bearings come out of the housing as one drop-out assembly held on studs around the nose. The pinion rides on two tapered roller bearings, with preload held by a crush sleeve and pinion nut. The carrier sits on two more tapered bearings, and its side-to-side position, which sets backlash, is held by threaded adjusters and lock tabs. Yukon sells the V6 and turbo rear as its own kit, separate from the standard 4-cylinder 8 in., because the pinion bearings and races are not the same.

Yukon lists the kit with carrier bearings and races, pinion bearings and races, a pinion seal, a complete shim kit, ring gear bolts, a pinion nut, a crush sleeve, oil baffles and slingers, thread locker, marking compound with a brush, and a gasket. Yukon's own description names both Timken and Koyo bearings for this part number. Either way you get everything for a bearing job on your original gears or a full regear.

Symptoms that point to a V6 rear rebuild

• Whine that climbs with road speed and is loudest on throttle, then fades on coast: worn pinion bearings or a pinion that has lost preload.
• Steady rumble or growl that gets worse in long sweepers: carrier bearings.
• Pinion seal weeping onto the yoke and crossmember, with the oil level below the fill plug.
• A clunk when you shift into drive or reverse, or in-and-out play when you push and pull the yoke.
• Bearing material or fine glitter on the drain plug at an oil change.

How to confirm before you buy

Drive at the speed where the noise is worst and compare light throttle, steady cruise and coast. Gear and pinion bearing noise changes with load; a wheel bearing changes when you sway the truck left and right. Our whine on acceleration vs deceleration guide walks through that road test. Then grab the yoke and check for end play, and drain the oil to look for metal. Our Toyota 8-inch problems and rebuild cost page covers the pinion bearing and crush sleeve failures these axles are known for.

Fitment

The listing title is Toyota V6 and turbo 4 rear, 2002 and down. Yukon's fitment chart lists the 1986-1988 4Runner 4WD 2.4L, 1988 and 1990-1995 4Runner 4WD 3.0L, 1996-2002 4Runner 4WD, the 1985-1987 4WD Pickup 2.4L and the 1988-1995 4WD Pickup 3.0L. Yukon's chart also adds 2003-2009 4Runner and 2007-2009 FJ Cruiser, but those trucks use the larger 8.2 in. rear, so do not order this kit for them. Yukon's fitment notes say the kit fits the 27-spline pinion. If you are installing aftermarket gears with a 29-spline pinion, which need the 29-spline conversion yoke, send us your year, VIN and pinion spline count first. A standard 4-cylinder rear takes a different pinion bearing set; the 4-cylinder Toyota 8 in. kit covers 1985-and-older 4-cylinder axles and later ones running aftermarket gears. Other axles are in our rebuild kits collection.

Install notes

• Yukon's setup chart for the Toyota truck V6 rear lists 14-17 in-lb of pinion bearing preload with new bearings (6-8 in-lb on used), 0.006-0.011 in. backlash on 5-cut gears, and 70 ft-lb on both the ring gear bolts and the bearing caps.
• Crush the new sleeve in small steps and check rotating torque each time. If you go past spec, install another sleeve; backing the nut off leaves the bearings loose. The Yukon V6 crush sleeve eliminator is an option for trucks that see hard use.
• Read preload with an inch-pound torque wrench such as the LEXIVON LX180, and paint the ring gear with the included compound to check the pattern before final torque. Our backlash and pinion depth setup guide shows a good pattern.
• Refill with GL-5 gear oil in the grade your owner manual lists. If you are regearing for bigger tires, the Yukon V6 4.56 gear set pairs with this kit; follow a proper ring and pinion break-in.

Will this kit fit my 2005 4Runner or FJ Cruiser?

No. Yukon's chart lists them, but 2003-and-up 4Runners and the FJ Cruiser use an 8.2 in. rear with different bearings. This kit is for the 8 in. V6 and turbo rear through 2002.

Is this the same kit as a 4-cylinder Toyota 8 inch?

No. Yukon sells the V6 and turbo rear as its own kit because its pinion bearings differ from the standard 4-cylinder axle. Check the engine and the pinion before ordering, or send us the VIN.

Can I keep my original ring and pinion?

Yes, if the teeth are not pitted, chipped or blued. Mark the original pinion shim, install the new bearings, then reset pinion depth, preload and backlash and check the pattern with the included marking compound.

What gear oil does the rear take after the rebuild?

Use a GL-5 gear oil in the viscosity your owner manual lists and fill to the bottom of the fill plug hole. If the rear has a limited slip, follow the manual on friction modifier.

Do I need special tools?

Plan on a bearing puller or press for the carrier and pinion bearings, a dial indicator for backlash, an inch-pound torque wrench for preload and a holder for the yoke while you crush the sleeve.