1987 Grand Wagoneer Dana 44 Axle Shaft

Presbuteros

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Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Location
Wake Forest
I want to buy a Superior Right Inner Axle for a 1987 Grand Wagoneer Dana 44 - 30 spline (I think). The previous owner had upgraded everything to Warn Chromolly except the the inner shaft which is now broken. Someone mentioned that Warn is no longer making shafts and Superior is a good brand. A few questions:

Can I buy just the right inner axle and not have to buy a kit with the inner and outer?

With the Driver's side inner and outer and the passenger being Warn Chromolly and soon the passenger inner being Superior do I want use cheap-0 U-joints or do I want to invest in some of the more expensive ones? (do I want future failure to occur in the U-joint as opposed to the axle shaft?)

What is the difference between Superiors "Discovery" and "Evolution" series? They both state "Chromolly" but the Discovery series is cheaper.

I also need to buy windows for my 94 YJ that sits on this Dana 44 so if there is a local vendor that carries all of this that would rock.
 
I can answer a few of my own questions. I spoke with a rep from Summit Racing. He said that the Superior Discovery series is the OEM replacement and the Evolution series is the Chromolly replacement. Hence, the price difference.

I can also order the individual axle from 4 Wheel Parts - Raleigh. The guys there know their stuff and are great to work with!!!

I still would like to know your thoughts on U-joints. With a mix of Warn Chromolly and Superior Chromolly what U-joints would you use?
 
if a u joint breaks and takes out the ears on the shafts i dont think they are warranted anymore because a ujoint failure caused it. i ran superjoints with my chromoly shafts. broke an outer shaft first though
 
Like stated above, it does not make good sense to cheap out and have the U-joints destroy the ears on the shafts. Get good joints, if you want a "fuse" get warn hub fuses.
 
Ok. So definitely not cheap-o u-joints... I will get some beef to put in with those Chromos.
I purchased a Superior axle shaft from 4 Wheel Parts, Raleigh. More expensive than the $100 + shipping from the guy above but I didn't see his post until after I purchased it... Oh well..
4 Wheel Parts, Raleigh was great! Thanks to Charles, Matt, Lee, and the guy with all the YJs! I won't make it to this weekend's trip to Uwharrie but maybe next month's.
Thanks to all who have posted with help...
 
After some research I'm considering for a u-joint the X-joint by Alloy USA. What do you guys think about using the X-joint with my Chromolly shafts?
 
So the x-joint installation turned out to be a pita. I stopped by East Coast Gear Supply and Chase took a look at it. The superior shaft ears were a little too close together and needed a little "persuasion." The ears being too close together could have been from me breaking a ball joint/U-joint press on that shaft. (yeah, I said broke a press - the C split in the corner and my buddy is not happy...)

All in all, if I had to do it over again, I would order the complete assembly (inner and outer with a x-joint in between) from Alloy USA... The biggest factor is that it saves TIME... and money too, but who has time?

I also replaced the inner shaft seals that sit just outside the differential housing. Those were a pita too but I felt like I really accomplished something once I did it... I have the passenger side rebuilt and the driver side to finish. There was a lot of metal shavings in the driver side hub?.?.? so I need to investigate, clean and reassemble...

Many thanks to Chase at East Coast Gear Supply! He knows his trade... Also many thanks to the guys at 4 Wheel Parts Raleigh.
 
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