Mileage or years? Your opinion please.

 

Depends on if they are original late C3 yokes or replacements with hardened tips? Also on how the posi is set up.

 

Replacements with hardened tips and posi is tight.

 

What end gap is there in the yokes? I set them up to .005-.007" now a little looser then I originally did. If everything is setup good they should last many thousands of miles. I've had original yokes still in great shape in 100k miles cars - these were the older diff's pre 75 so the cast hardening was correct even thought the stock posi setup was loose.

 

Gary,
Thanks for the response. The reason I asked, was the other night I pulled my pumpkin to change gears and repair a pesty yoke seal leak when I discover tons of slack in my yokes. Just some history, three years ago I had Mike aka Traccdogg2 rebuild my differential with parts I bought off the forum. I had him install my gears, yokes, seals, bearings, and rebuild the clutch pak. All new from well know vendors. Three months later I discover oil under the car and I assumed the seal kit I bought was bad or the yokes were cut down.

Fast forward three years later, a LS1/6 speed swap, and a two moves later the issue is still there but not bad, so I just let it go. Well last week I struck a deal with a forum member to swap gears and I thought it was time to address the issue. I pull the differential and dropped it off at Mike shop, during which we made a grousome discover. The yokes were stuck in the case and the ends flatten out. After some a little tlc with the hammer we got them out. Mike looked at me and said this is not good. Yokes don't flatten out that fast. We checked all the clutch paks and cleareances which all checked out perfect. The only thing it could be was the yokes somehow skipped the hardening process.

Just to express my dissatifaction, I call the national vendor today and emailed pictures. I was told this was normal wear for a yoke but would forward the pics to his vendor. This spawned the topic. Several hours later I received a call for a guy named Ken who said he was from Lone Star Corvette Parts and he wanted to ask me some questions about the pictures. After mentioning who did the original work and how we discovered the problem, he told me that Mike (Traccdogg2) was an expert at this and if said they are toast then they toast.

The next thing I hear Ken say is "Buddy I want to make this right with you and I called Mike and told him to install new GM yokes in your differential". Holy%&$* that was a nice gesture. I didn't know this at the time, but Dan is the owner of the Lone Star. Now that is World Class Customer Service.

An hour later the Major Corvette parts vendor called me back and ask me how things turned out. I told him not only did he make a customer for life, but for once in my life I felt like a vendor was listening.

Big thanks again to Mike Dyers, Ken owner of Lone Star, and Justin at Major Corvette parts vendor. Hope I didn't ramble to much.

 

I know Mike and he does excellant work. I also know Justin another good guy and one whom I buy my yokes from. I met Ken at Carlsile but we really do not know each other. Just about everyone uses the Lonestar yokes and I have not heard of this problem. Hopefully it was isolated to your set as I have used many myself.
You did get great service and I'm glad it worked out for you. Have no doubt Mike will make it right. Tell him I said hi.

Gary

 

Now, back to the original project which was swapping out the 3:55 (going to a good home) and installing 4:11. The new gears should match up better with the 6 speeds top gear.

 

Buddy: You'll love the 4.11. Back when I had the Z28 w/ T56 I installed 4.10 and they were a perfect match for the T56. 80 mph was 2200 rpm and it scooted nicely in 1st.

 

Hi Gary,
This was an isolated problem. At the time when Buddy bought the yokes they were not made by Lone Star. They used an independent machine shop. Now they are all done in house by their standards. Ken really came thru on this. I was quite suprised when he told me to install the new stub axles at his expense.
Lonestar Caliper is a wholesale supplier only. If anyone is needing parts from them let me know and I can get them.
Mike

 

Thanks Mike,
I was concerned as I have used a lot of those yokes myself. Glad Ken made good on this and it didn't balloon into a big problem.

Gary