D27 Axle Shaft Issue

I recently pulled apart the knuckles on my D27 to replace the kingpin bearings and seals. That's when I noticed this evidence that the axle shaft has been contacting the housing.

Has anyone ever seen this before? This is the drivers side shaft. I have not opened up the passenger side yet.

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Having trouble with the image hosting, but here is a link D27 Shaft

What normally locates the axle shaft on its axis? Is there a spacer in differential end like in the tapered 44 rear axle? Or does it rely only on the C-clip at the hub end to keep it from shifting towards the differential too far?

 

I can see the picture. No spacer, it relies on the snap ring.

 

I can see it...but I'm not sure what would cause that. The inner yoke has obviously been hitting the housing.

 

Mine has no snap rings....

 

I originally thought the snap ring was to hold the inner splined part of the locking hub on the shaft... but I don't see what else could keep the shaft itself in place.

For what its worth, it didn't look like it had been rubbing recently.

 

Spicer joints use a snap ring; Bendix joints don't. Does yours have Bendix joints? They came in Dana 25s but will fit D27s as well.

 

I guess I should have been more clear. I remove and discard the snap rings on all my 4x4s.

 

Why? Please explain your reasoning.

 

should have a snap ring on end of shaft . to hold in place

 

I agree with Howard. That was put there with a grinder.

 

I'll be the dissenter! I think these marks were likely made from contacting the inner globe housing. The outer snap ring limits the inner "float" of the axle.
-Donny

 

Is there a similar mark on the other side? If not, I would suspect the axle is bent.

 

Ouch, I hope not. Is there any way to know besides having the camber checked? It seemed reasonable when I had an alignment check about 2 years ago.

I'll add that the mark on the shaft is curved, not straight across. Kinda hard to tell from the photo. It looks to me like it did contact the housing.

 

Post a pic inside the housing.
I'll bet it has been hitting.

 

Even a picture of the scar from a different angle would help. If it's rubbing, you'd expect the bottom of the scar to be convex. A grinder can only make a flat or concave mark.

 

Not for a Spicer type axle.