Yukon Gear Replacement Yoke For Dana 60 and 70 w/ A 1350 U/Joint Size

A pinion seal that keeps leaking no matter how many times it is replaced, a driveshaft clunk every time you shift from drive to reverse, or a yoke with chewed-up U-joint bores after a hard towing season are the usual reasons Dana 60 and Dana 70 owners go looking for a new pinion yoke. The Yukon YY D60-1350-29S is a new 29-spline, 1350-series, strap-style replacement yoke for the Dana Spicer 60, 70, 70U and 70HD, the heavy axles under three-quarter and one-ton Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Dodge trucks and vans, and under a few big-block Mopar muscle cars.

What the pinion yoke does in a Dana 60 or Dana 70

The yoke slides onto the 29 splines at the front of the pinion gear and is clamped there by the pinion nut. The rear U-joint of the driveshaft bolts into the yoke ears with two straps, so every bit of torque headed to the ring gear passes through those splines and ears. The smooth hub behind the ears is also the running surface for the pinion seal, which is why a worn yoke so often shows up as an oil leak rather than a noise. This one is built for the 1350 joint: 1.188 inch bearing cap diameter, 3.625 inch snap ring span and an outside snap ring design, per Yukon.

Symptoms of a worn Dana 60/70 yoke

• Gear oil dripping from the front of the axle even after a new pinion seal, caused by a groove worn into the seal surface of the hub
• A clunk on takeoff or when shifting into gear from slop between the yoke splines and the pinion
• Driveline vibration that rises with road speed from a yoke that has been bent or has elongated cap bores
• U-joint caps that spin in the yoke or snap rings that will not stay seated
• Pinion bearing noise after the nut has worked loose, which often leaves the yoke splines damaged too

How to confirm the yoke is the problem

With the truck parked and the transmission in neutral, grab the driveshaft near the axle and twist it back and forth. Movement between the yoke and the pinion is spline wear; movement inside the joint is a bad U-joint. Then unbolt the straps, drop the driveshaft and look at the yoke hub where the seal rides. A visible groove you can catch with a fingernail means a new seal alone will leak again. Lift the yoke up and down as well. Play there points to the pinion bearings, and that job is better done with a full gear and bearing service such as the Dana 60 4.10 ring and pinion with master bearing kit.

Fitment

Yukon's application chart for this yoke covers a long list of Dana 60, Dana 70, 70HD and 70U axles, including:

• Ford F-250 (1954-1999) and F-350 (1970-1997), 1999-2015 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty, 2000-2014 F-450 and 2000-2013 F-550 Super Duty, and E-250/E-350 Econoline and Super Duty vans through 2015
• Chevrolet and GMC C/K 10-30, C/K 3500, R/V 30, G-series vans and 1996-2010 Express and Savana 3500 vans
• Dodge D/W 200-350 pickups, B-series vans, 1994-2002 Ram 2500 and 3500 front and rear, and 1999-2003 Ram 2500/3500 vans
• 1966-1974 Dodge Charger, 1968-1976 Dart, Plymouth Road Runner, GTX, Barracuda and Duster, and 1963-1976 Jeep Wagoneer

Two things must match before you order. First, the U-joint: this is the 1350 yoke. If your driveshaft has the larger 1410 joint, you need the Dana 60/70 1410 yoke, which has a 4.188 inch span. Second, the retention style: this yoke uses straps, and Yukon also makes a U-bolt version (YY D60-1350-29U). Count your pinion splines (29) and measure the span across the outside snap ring grooves of your old yoke. If you are unsure, send us the year, model and VIN, or browse more axle parts under hard parts.

Install notes

• Mark the driveshaft to the yoke before removal so the phasing goes back the same way
• Before you loosen the pinion nut, check and record the pinion rotating torque, then set preload back to the service manual specification for your axle rather than simply re-tightening
• Install a new pinion seal and a new pinion nut, lightly oil the seal lip and the yoke hub, and never hammer the yoke onto the splines
• Fit new 1350 U-joint straps and bolts, and inspect the joint itself while it is out. A U-joint removal press kit makes the job much easier
• Refill with 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil as your axle calls for, adding friction modifier if it has a limited slip

Heavy-duty trucks that tow at the limit sometimes outgrow the 1350 joint. If you are already replacing the yoke and the driveshaft, moving to the 1410 parts is a common upgrade, but the yoke and driveshaft joint must always match.

Does this yoke fit both the Dana 60 and the Dana 70?

Yes. Yukon lists YY D60-1350-29S for the Dana Spicer 60, 70, 70U and 70HD with a 29-spline pinion. Confirm your pinion spline count and that the driveshaft uses a 1350-series U-joint.

How do I tell a 1350 yoke from a 1410 yoke?

Both use a 1.188 inch bearing cap, so measure the span across the outside snap ring grooves. A 1350 yoke like this one measures 3.625 inches. A 1410 measures 4.188 inches.

Is this a strap or U-bolt yoke?

This is the strap-style version, so the U-joint caps are held by two bolted straps. If your driveshaft is held with U-bolts, match that style instead.

Should I replace the pinion seal when I replace the yoke?

Yes. The seal rides on the yoke hub, and an old seal that has been running on a grooved yoke will not seal well on the new one. Install a new seal and a new pinion nut at the same time.

Why does my new pinion seal still leak?

The most common reason is a groove worn into the old yoke where the seal lip rides. Replacing the yoke gives the seal a smooth surface again. A loose pinion nut or worn pinion bearings can also cause leaks.

What gear oil goes in a Dana 60 or 70 after this job?

Use 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil as specified for your truck, and add friction modifier if the axle has a clutch-type limited slip. Top off any oil lost while the yoke was off.