Tweaked Axle Splines

I think I already know the answer to this one, but I'm going to ask anyway.

Would you replace an axle shaft that shows any sign of the splines being tweaked at all? When I put the Lock-Rite in the flattie before Windrock, I noticed that the splines on the short (passenger side) shaft had a little twist on them. That wasn't surprising, considering how badly the rest of the driveline was when I got it. Since I didn't have enough time to get another shaft before the ride, I buttoned it back up and hoped for the best. It held, but I'm thinking it would be a good idea to change it out and keep the other for a trail spare. I've got to tear the backing plates off at some point to re-shim the axles anyway, it would be no big deal to swap it out.

Next question, would you trust an axle shaft from Omix-Ada, or is there another source for replacement shafts besides Mo$er or somebody like that?

 

Nuttin for a D41, or even a 10-spline D44 for that matter.

 

I thought 41 & 44 (up to mid '55) were the same part #. After that the splines changed to an "involute" design, whatevertheheckthatmeans .

Have you seen Mighty Mo's 41 axle replacement page?

http://mightymo.org/Proj_D41-2Replacement.html

H.

 

Thanks guys. You confirmed my gut feelings to try and find a good used replacement shaft.

The thing that kinda sucks is that I have a pair of 19-spline axles sitting on the shelf, but I just bought the 10-spline Lock-Rite.

 

Mike, I read about this on Dr. V's site, theres a section on Power-Locs, its on pg. 7 & 8 of the bulletin. My parts manual confirms that the 44 differential & axle part numbers changed @ sn. 43843 (CJ5s). The Power-Loc, at least, only works with the later shafts ruling out, in theory, thier use on model 41s.

Not sure if this carries over to other 10 spline limited slips s & lockers as well. I've been assuming that if I ever put a locker or LS in Tonka that I'll have to use the axle shafts I salvaged from Maggie as they're post change date.

H.