NON duramax axle help

[Texas Chevy]

I was working on a girl I work with jeep because she was told it needed upper ball joints tie rods and a new axel seal. The ball joints were still tight and tie rods looked good the seal was bad so I replaced it. To access the upper ball joints I had to pull the axle out. When I went to put it all back together I couldn’t get the axle to line back up and go in. The threads are still good however I look on the axel its self and there are scratch marks on the axle from what looks like it making contact on the housing. Is that normal? Any marks on it at all? Also it looks like it is straight could the housing itself bend? It is a 2000 jeep grand Cherokee. The girl claims she hit a pot hole and then took it in for a alignment and they gave her a $1000.00 bill and a list of parts. Now I can’t get the axle back in and seated properly like it’s not lining up. Any help I know it’s not a duramax but I really only feel comfortable asking you guys.

 

[justin_08]

No it shouldn't be making contact with the housing anywhere. I have see the Dana 30 axle bend on older yj wranglers so it's possible she could have bend it. I haven't worked on newer Cherokees so I can't say for sure on them.

 

[Texas Chevy]

Thanks. She said she was only on the road but who knows. If it was bent what is the best route? Replace the axle or the entire thing?

 

[justin_08]

Sorry I Ment I have seen the housing bend so if that's the case you would need a whole new housing. I have seen the axle tube bend right by the knuckles. Someone makes a gusset that welds to the knuckle and axle tube to help with the problem. The only ones I have seen bend tho was offroad only jeeps.

 

[Texas Chevy]

It is a 20 year old girl so who knows what she did. What wild be easiest replace the axle and see if will line up or try the entire thing

 

[Texas Chevy]

And on that where could you buy them

 

[justin_08]

Yea you never know what's it has been through. Idk where to buy a stock one but maybe a junk yard, there should be plenty of them around. Can you put a straight edge on the axle tube to see if it is bent anywhere?

 

[Texas Chevy]

I'll have to Try thT for sure never thought about that. All I know is it has some groves about have way up it from contacting something. I'll use the straight edge for sure though. Thanks

 

[justin_08]

Yea I'd try that first. No problem glad I could help out :thumb:

 

[Sledheadxp800r]

If its bent far enough so that the axle is rubbing on the housing/tube there should be visible damage.

 

[JoshH]

Post a of the axle shaft and the housing. Sometimes the axles are just a pain to get back in.

 

[MACKIN]

Did it slide right out or did you need to use a slid hammer or something similar or pry it out?

I've seen where I have had to tap them in on my dana 30 once you line up the spline. I doubt it is bent. Also clean up the shaft make sure there are no burrs ,check the spline also for burrs.

www.quadratec.com good source for parts also www.4wd.com


I'm trying to recall which side gave me balls when I did ball joints. I dunno but I'm gonna find out as I need them again. One upper is crapping out.