front axle ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

teeitup · 01-31-2003, 06:24 PM

My left front axle is broke at the u-joint in my 72. Its a dana 44 frontend. One guy told me they came out with smaller axles in early 72 and bigger axles in later 72. What years will work on this thing and does it hurt to put a bigger axle for bigger ujoint in that side? Thanks Randy

ljbear · 01-31-2003, 10:11 PM

I'm not sure about years and axle sizes, but if the overall length and spline count is correct it will be fine. I mixed shafts on a jeep without any problems. I initially broke the right side and replaced it with a larger diameter shaft. I bought both Left and Right to replace, but only did the right one right away. I carried the left side that matched the larger one as a spare, and then finally swapped it out after about a year. If you can get a match that's probably the best way to go.

Larry

BLAZERMAN · 02-01-2003, 02:17 AM

Randy, the 73 to 77 dana 44 used the 297 u joint which is about 30 percent stronger than the 260x that was used till 72, try and find a set of axle shafts from a 73 to77 after that chevy used the 10 bolt front, or 73 to 81 on most GMC trucks, just watch the 73 axles because some of the early models had the small axles. It doesnt matter whether its a 1/2 or 3/4 ton axle because the shafts are the same, this is definetly a good upgrade to do and you could do just one side for now but it if it were me I would go ahead and do both sides. If you do this yourself email me and I will tell you how to make a tool to clean out your axle tubes, you should allways do this before installing an axle so you dont push a bunch of dirt and scale right into your diff. It would also be a good time to replace your inner axle seals and hub seals.

teeitup · 02-01-2003, 10:17 AM

THANKS for teh info guys, I appreciate it!!!! Rob, my mechanic is going to do it. I'd probably screw it all up.

Thanks again Randy

6869704X4 · 02-01-2003, 11:07 AM

Im doing xover steering and gear work so I happend to have mine out. It doesn't take a rocket sceintist to figure out which one is stronger. 73 and up on the left. Axle out of my 70 on the right.
Guess which one I'm gonna use?

teeitup · 02-02-2003, 10:12 AM

I found one for a 72 for a $100 is this to much? Randy

6869704X4 · 02-02-2003, 11:09 AM

Is it the beefy one? Im not sure what theyre worth. I got a whole D44 for $100 but that was pulling it myself.

BLAZERMAN · 02-02-2003, 11:38 AM

Randy, if he wants that much for the complete 44 then thats not to bad, if its a 72 it will have the small axles but since your only running 33" tires you could just use the axles out of it after putting in some new u joints and you should be fine. If it were me I think I would keep looking for a set of the later model axles, you should be able to find a set of shafts for about the same money. If you want I can go by Pettyjohns and see what he gets for a pair.

teeitup · 02-02-2003, 11:59 AM

Thats just for the left side axle, I thought it was high for just a axle. I have the axle out of the burb I parted I might just pull it and then try to find another for it. Thanks Guys Randy

01-31-2003, 06:24 PM	#1
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	front axle ??? My left front axle is broke at the u-joint in my 72. Its a dana 44 frontend. One guy told me they came out with smaller axles in early 72 and bigger axles in later 72. What years will work on this thing and does it hurt to put a bigger axle for bigger ujoint in that side? Thanks Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

01-31-2003, 10:11 PM	#2
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	I'm not sure about years and axle sizes, but if the overall length and spline count is correct it will be fine. I mixed shafts on a jeep without any problems. I initially broke the right side and replaced it with a larger diameter shaft. I bought both Left and Right to replace, but only did the right one right away. I carried the left side that matched the larger one as a spare, and then finally swapped it out after about a year. If you can get a match that's probably the best way to go. Larry __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

02-01-2003, 02:17 AM	#3
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	Randy, the 73 to 77 dana 44 used the 297 u joint which is about 30 percent stronger than the 260x that was used till 72, try and find a set of axle shafts from a 73 to77 after that chevy used the 10 bolt front, or 73 to 81 on most GMC trucks, just watch the 73 axles because some of the early models had the small axles. It doesnt matter whether its a 1/2 or 3/4 ton axle because the shafts are the same, this is definetly a good upgrade to do and you could do just one side for now but it if it were me I would go ahead and do both sides. If you do this yourself email me and I will tell you how to make a tool to clean out your axle tubes, you should allways do this before installing an axle so you dont push a bunch of dirt and scale right into your diff. It would also be a good time to replace your inner axle seals and hub seals. Last edited by BLAZERMAN; 02-01-2003 at 02:20 AM.

02-01-2003, 10:17 AM	#4
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	THANKS for teh info guys, I appreciate it!!!! Rob, my mechanic is going to do it. I'd probably screw it all up. Thanks again Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

02-01-2003, 11:07 AM	#5
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Im doing xover steering and gear work so I happend to have mine out. It doesn't take a rocket sceintist to figure out which one is stronger. 73 and up on the left. Axle out of my 70 on the right. Guess which one I'm gonna use? Attached Images __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck. Last edited by 6869704X4; 02-01-2003 at 11:24 AM.

02-02-2003, 10:12 AM	#6
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	I found one for a 72 for a $100 is this to much? Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

02-02-2003, 11:09 AM	#7
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Is it the beefy one? Im not sure what theyre worth. I got a whole D44 for $100 but that was pulling it myself. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

02-02-2003, 11:38 AM	#8
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	Randy, if he wants that much for the complete 44 then thats not to bad, if its a 72 it will have the small axles but since your only running 33" tires you could just use the axles out of it after putting in some new u joints and you should be fine. If it were me I think I would keep looking for a set of the later model axles, you should be able to find a set of shafts for about the same money. If you want I can go by Pettyjohns and see what he gets for a pair.

02-02-2003, 11:59 AM	#9
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Thats just for the left side axle, I thought it was high for just a axle. I have the axle out of the burb I parted I might just pull it and then try to find another for it. Thanks Guys Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"



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