Axle shaft help
 

I have a 72 Super Cheyenne K20 that I am rebuilding right now (link to build thread). The front Dana 44 axle shafts are both broken where the u-joint attaches on the passenger side. I am getting ready to replace them in the next week or so. I read somewhere on the forum that it is possible to use the 1973 and up axle shafts which gives you a little beefer u-joint. Can anyone steer me in the right direction on the subject, explain their experience, or a link if possible?

Again I have searched like crazy and keep coming up with nothing. Just want to verify if that is a possible fix or not. Thanks for any help possible

Here is image of broken axle shaft

Re: Axle shaft help
 

i run the 73 on up shafts in all the trucks i've done but i always use the spindles that match the axles. if my feeble old memory serves me correctly the seal area on the later shafts is different where the outer stub goes through the spindle. the later shafts are beefier than the 72 and down shafts on the inner half but taper back down where they go into the carrier. side note- you better replace that upper ball joint too, i see the little spring from the grease fitting hanging down.

Re: Axle shaft help
 

I have used these in a couple trucks now. One a K10 and a my current K20. They are complete and ready to bolt in. I buy them from Denny's Driveshaft.

29833-1X
29833-2X

Re: Axle shaft help
 

Thanks I really do appreciate the I formation. Those were the exact ones I was looking at online as a replacement, the 29833-1X for the right side. Again thanks, and the Spicer assembly is on sale right now for $249. Good stuff here.!

Re: Axle shaft help
 

I really want to know how they broke both of them? That’s a real conundrum. Or do you mean they broke the inner and outer on that side?

Edit… never mind I see what you are saying.
I would do the inner axle tube seals while you have it apart. They are a pain to do but it really sucks when you put it all back together only to find you have a leak, especially with that passenger side flopping around like it was.

Re: Axle shaft help
 

The passenger side is broken on the inner shaft and the outer shaft where the u-joint is inserted. Not sure how it happened. Bestview bought the truck from someone he has bought trucks from before. Did not have much history with the truck when it was sent over to my place. The part number they were talking about DANA SPICER 29833-1X has the seals in it and I will attempt for the first time to do an axle repair and use all the parts in the kit.

Re: Axle shaft help
 

Perfect. I’ve used a longish piece of all thread with big washers held on with nuts to pound the seals in from outside the tubes. The driver side is the worst to do. Dont mix up the carrier bearing caps when you take the carrier out, they have to go back in the exact way they came out.