How can I tell which side this axle goes on? This is an OE axle that I intended to replace, but I'm on my 2nd CarDone axle and it does not fit correctly in the intermediate shaft. The 2nd axle worked OK for about 75 miles then it started roaring. After inspection I found about 1/8 movement side to side when you grab the axle and shake it up and down. I want to reinstall THIS axle but since I didn't intent to put it back in, I didn't pay attention to which side it came from. Are both sides the same?

Before y'all say "Raxles", I send a message today and they are closed until Jan. 3rd. I'd rather not wait that long before I replace it...

 

The axle sets are listed as different part numbers but near as I can tell the only difference between them are the rubber dampers and the snap rings that go in the grooves on the inboard sides(different dimensions). I noticed your axles are missing the snap rings which are critical to holding the shafts in place.

Here's the parts schematic https://www.oemacuraparts.com/v-2001...is--driveshaft

The left snap ring #8 is 30x2.2
The right snap ring #9 is 29x2.0

This would explain why the right side wouldn't fit in the intermediate shaft coupling. You must have been trying to fit the larger snap ring into a hole that was too small while the other side was much too loose.

 

Thanks Iggy. I took the ring off while I was testing fits of the OEM axle in the intermediate shaft. I intend to put it back on. I have seen in the service manual where the dampeners are spaced differently on each side. The one pictured has been moved. So what I think you are telling me is that if I have the correct hog ring on the end, I can use the shaft?

 

I was just scanning the service manual and apparently the length can be adjusted which is listed on page 16-16. The right axle is 10mm shorter than the left. Measure your old ones to determine placement.

 

Also, according to page 16-8 of the SM , the dampers are spaced the same on both sides. Maybe I missed something you saw.

 

If you refer to the 'compressed length' specs for Cardone axles on rockauto, it roughly shows a 10mm difference between left and right:

Front left 26 9/16"
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...410309&jsn=331

Front right 26 1/8"
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...410309&jsn=330

 

Look at the specs on the Rock Auto links, there are a different number of splines on the input (27 vs 29).

 

VERY good catch! I missed that. The inboard joint sets are indeed different part numbers.

 

I appreciate all the good info since my last post and question, however, I only have one OEM axle and I don't know which side it came from. I'm trying to determine which side it is.
So what I think I'm hearing is the the number of splines on the input side is different. I'll go to Rock Auto and check out the specs.

Please check me to make sure I am correct...it appears that the input side of the Passenger axle is 27 splines and has a compressed length of 26-1/2 inches.

Thank you all. Belated Merry Christmas...