Stripped Splines

[panalukes]

I have read in another post that a gentleman had an issue with disc brake conversion and thence having the axle shaft be too short on the DRIVERS SIDE. His axle shaft didn't engage far enough to get any power.

My issue, I think, it engaged just far enough (1/4 inch) to hold for a few years. Sheared the splines a few days ago under acceleration.
-I have a true-track rear end from a vendor.
-Axle shafts from a vendor as well.
-I was not present when they were assembled in the rear end (not that I would have been able to tell they were too short) just saying that's about all I know of it.

My question: the left axle is a standard length that I got from the vendor. There was no choice at the time if I recall. I bought left, right and pumpkin all at the same time in 2012.

I'm having the third member rebuilt by a shop as there are metal fragments throughout.

-Does this same axle come an inch longer? And do you think that will resolve my issue?


Thanks for looking.
Luke

 

[panalukes]

Apologies. I know it doesn't help that I don't even know what rear end is in here. But it's been a long time. TracLok - TruTrac - maybe you can tell me.

Luke

 

[jamesroney]

PM sent...

 

[blubuckaroo]

That's typical axle damage on driver side rear axle with a Trac-Loc differential.
It's a lousy design. The whole rear end is driven with the first 1/4 inch of spline.
Mine left me stranded hundreds of miles from home once.
The bigger problem is that the corresponding splines in the spider gears are probably stripped too. A new axle will be a really short term fix to get home.

The axle carrier of open and other differentials use a whole inch of spline.

 

[panalukes]

I am home. I need a long term fix.
What "other differentials" would you recommend?

 

[blubuckaroo]

I am home. I need a long term fix.
What "other differentials" would you recommend?

That really depends on your use. If you don't plan on using it for trails, an open rear end works really well, and is really best on the street when there is snow and ice. Any trail driving though, and some sort of locker or limited slip is a big improvement.
Here's a good read on the different types.
https://www.randysworldwide.com/resource-center/limited-slip-differential-locker-spool-differences/

 

[panalukes]

Ok. Figured it out. My left axle is 1/2 inch too short. Do the typical bronco vendors offer these in different sizes or is that going to be at a specific axle site?