I have a 2001 Dakota 4wd. The splines on the passenger side of the front axle are completely ground down. At first i thought it was just the CV axle that was broken, but when i pulled it off i saw that the output shaft from the axle housing was the problem. I have never replaced the axle on any but solid axles and was wondering if anyone knew how to do it.
Also, I was wondering if anyone else has seen this problem. I haven't been able to find anyone who has and I really can't see why it happened. The shaft spins fine and everything else on the front axle seems fine.
Any help would be much appriciated.

 

same issue with my dakota looking for how you repaired yours

 

The intermediate shaft, the part the CV axles (halfshaft) connect into can be replaced.

 

On my 04 you have to knock the CV axle out of the housing and pop in a whole new shaft. I let a shop do mine bc I couldn't get it out. There are some How Tos on Youtube on how to do it

 

Its easy, hardest part is to pop out the intermediate shaft, and finding the little metal "O ring thingys" at the dealership.


I think I did mine in no more than a hour and half from opening a beer to putting the truck back on the ground

 

just had this AGAIN happen to my '02 Dakota for the second time. First time the splines wore off the shaft was at 65k, but was covered under power train warranty. This time at 110k it's on me. Is this just poor design?? Anything that can be done to prevent this, rather than replacing every 60k miles??

Also, according to Dodge you are NOT supposed to put a metal C clip on the outer side of the stub shaft, only the inner that connects into the transfer case but NOT the axle side. Is this correct??

Thanks in advance!

 

I assume you meant the front axle and not the transfer case?

 

Tom - yes, the front axle side. is there supposed to be a clip on that side?

 

If you're talking about the part that sticks through the hub and has a nut threaded on the end of it, then no. It does not get a metal clip. There shouldn't even be a groove for one.