Driving back from DC last night, changed lanes on the 95 south. Then changed lanes again, not wanting to.

Felt like a flat tire, pulled to the side of the road to check it out saw nothing.
Continued on but as soon as I hit 50mph it started trying to change lanes again. Pulled on the next exit to a gas station to look better at it saw brake fluid all over the left wheel and thought I **** a caliper and decided to go to the next exit and get a hotel and fix it in the morning (the exit I was told less than a mile down the road) pulled out of the gas station got 100 feet down the road and it all locked up, I had to turn around to get to the mechanic shop that was right next to the gas station. (This comes into play in a bit) Got close tot he shop when the dudes at the tow shop yelled at me that I was about to lose my wheel and I stopped.

Get it dragged in to the shop parking lot at about 9:00 pm and get a ride to the next exit for a hotel room, that was 5 miles down the interstate, 5 MILES. The shop calls me in the morning to tell me that I screwed up my Rotor, Caliper, U-joint, and snapped the front left axle. I ask what the price to fix it will be and they said they would call me back after locating all the parts...............15 minutes later. Sir, we were able to find everything except for the axle used and started naming prices. Caliper $44, Bearing $35, Spindle $100, then new rotor and pads, then the kicker. New axle shaft, $780 dollars from dealer, aftermarket $820. parts and labour about $2900. So I got it towed 130 miles for 600 dollars and gunna go to the pick&pull and get the parts and fix it myself.

The issue come out to the fact that there is always a shortage of 2nd gen rams in the yards around me and I can't seem tot find a shaft for less than $300 online. Are there any other trucks that I can pull a 27" 29 spline shaft out of that will work. There are always a crap load of fords and chevys around and sometimes a jeep cherokee.

The axle price you were quoted seems like a GIANT markup. The other parts seem average priced. I know in eastern Iowa, there are usually tons of parts for them around, except transmissions! I did find, if it counts - a guy off the oklahoma craigslist, not sure which city but he parts out dodge trucks as a hobby and has TONS of great body panels.

i think some ford trucks used the dana 44 axle, which is what dodge uses too. you might be able to look around at some of the ford trucks in the junkyard and see. maybe you can get lucky and find one that will fit.

sounds like it would be cheap to just replace the whole axle.

I am pretty sure our CAD axles are a mopar only thing.


OP: I can pull one (or two) out of a JY here and send it to ya if you would like.

got a spare bearing, shaft, ujoint, rotor, caliper if you need..

Give these guys a call. http://mintonmotorsinc.com/
I bet they have an axle shaft for a decent price.
I looked at the new arrivals and thought my truck was on there for a second.

Yep that is a price mark up! Every shop is gonna charge you an ARM and a LEG, how else do you think they stay open.

I usually do all my own mechanical work, and if I can't do it I buy all the parts and print out the corresponding section of the service manual and bring it up to my local mechanic and pay only for the labor. Works out way better for me cause he has a car lift while all I have is a jack!

Check rockauto.Com

Check craigslist, Ebay, and car-parts.com for used parts and call around to JY. Should be able to find one for $300-500 used I would think...