I think i broke an axle shaft

[Mex in the city]

Last saturday while wheeling in some moderate difficulty hills, i heard something that sounded like a bolt braking, and after that point, my driver's side front tire lost all traction.

I put the jeep in 2wd, unlocked the manual hubs, crawled under it and rotated the front driveshaft by hand. The pass side u-joint rotates normally, but the driver side u-joint does not.

I have the stock D44 with vacuum disconnect. I haven't had time to remove the cover yet. I know it could be the shaft or the splined collar. Which one is most likely to break?

Also, i have 2 part donnors that have non disconnect differentials. Can i use the non disco axle shafts in my disco axle? I want to avoid replacing the complete axle because it's already regeared and locked.

Thank you all in advance.

[Stuka]

The collar is actually pretty beefy. Its possible you broke it, but the axle shafts typically break first from what I have seen.

You need to pull that passenger side shaft and see if all of it comes out.

And I *think* the shafts are the same length between disco and non-disco.

[Mex in the city]

Ok, thanks. Has anybody installed axle shafts from a non disco axle in a disco axle?
Thank you very much

[Headhoncho]

Ok, thanks. Has anybody installed axle shafts from a non disco axle in a disco axle?
Thank you very much

I think it was recently brought up about the swap and the obstacle to overcome was sealing the disco area to prevent gear oil from escaping. Otherwise I belive they said the shafts will interchange. Try a search as is wasn't too long ago.


JR