69 427 differential stub axles

[Mark G.]

I'm looking for a pair of 3872922 stub axles. Who sells the best ones? I've seen Yukon Axle, Paragon, Zip, etc all sell them. Any one better than the other? Thanks.
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

I'm looking for a pair of 3872922 stub axles. Who sells the best ones? I've seen Yukon Axle, Paragon, Zip, etc all sell them. Any one better than the other? Thanks.
Mark

Mark-------


Rebuilt originals are available. These have the end of the axles, which is the primary wear point, replaced with a through-hardened button. However, I only recommend the type with a relatively thin button and not the type with about an inch of the end of the axle replaced.

[Mark G.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Thanks Joe. Is there a way to tell rebuilt originals vs repro? I am looking at Paragon #4609 which state reconditioned original. These I can pick up at Carlisle in a few weeks, assuming they have them in stock..

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Most of them come from the same source and QC is not a word they know. Meaning many get shipped out that should not. Reconditioned originals most likely are from the same place that all vendors get them from, the only difference is what you are charged from each vendor, could be a $20-$30 difference for the same part. There is a core on them as well and those prices vary from place to place, kind of a hidden tax.

Don't get me wrong the good rebuilt axles are very good, no question about it. I used 100's. On the other hand since QC is not a word that is understood by some I have had about a 50% rejection rate- from wrong face dimension, cracked hardened tips overpressed in place, Splines that don't line up and tapped holes on the so called HD axle that were rusted and stripped out. A correctly rebuilt axle should have a smooth face, no cracks in it, splines that line up and the axle freely slides in the side gears, and a face to snap ring dimension between 185-200" Good luck.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Most of them come from the same source and QC is not a word they know. Meaning many get shipped out that should not. Reconditioned originals most likely are from the same place that all vendors get them from, the only difference is what you are charged from each vendor, could be a $20-$30 difference for the same part. There is a core on them as well and those prices vary from place to place, kind of a hidden tax.

Don't get me wrong the good rebuilt axles are very good, no question about it. I used 100's. On the other hand since QC is not a word that is understood by some I have had about a 50% rejection rate- from wrong face dimension, cracked hardened tips overpressed in place, Splines that don't line up and tapped holes on the so called HD axle that were rusted and stripped out. A correctly rebuilt axle should have a smooth face, no cracks in it, splines that line up and the axle freely slides in the side gears, and a face to snap ring dimension between 185-200" Good luck.

Gary------

Aren't there some rebuilt axles that have a relatively thin button on the end? In other words, with no or minimal need for any splines which engage the spider gears?

[Mark G.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Thanks guys. Here my plan of attack. I'll order two from Paragon and have them bring them to Carlisle- assuming they are coming. Visually look at them and measure from the end of the pin side of the snap ring and should be between 0.185-0.200" and reject if not in this spec? Dial caliper or depth mic? Is this with the snap ring against the pin side or flange side of the groove? Currently my rear does not have stub shafts in it so I do not know hove much play the snap ring has. Could a thicker snap ring be used if just a hair out of spec? I won't be able to check spline engagement since I won't bring the rear with me.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Hi Joe
The typical rebuilt axle sold today has a full spline pressed in cap, they are painted and appear "correct". The type you describe is usually rebuilt by individuals, there may be some sold like that but I have not seen them. When the rebuilt ones are done correctly they are very good, I have used 100's of them but QC should be something applied when offering a rebuilt item, none apparently is.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

I am going to assume that Paragon gets them from the same place as the others. If I wanted to check a rebuilt axle I would take a dial caliper, snap ring plier and spider side gear. I would remove the snap ring, measure it probably about 066", see if the axle slides easily into the spider,and install the snap ring again. Measure from the face to the snap ring, should be 185-200". I have removed the paint on the tip to find stress cracks from too much interference.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

One other thing to check. I have seen sheared rebuilt axles come in. I don't know who rebuilt them and think it was a while ago since the first one I saw was about 12-15 years ago. The splice is clearly well below the snap ring groove, do not use these. The ones I have seen were hollow and sheared in half.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Hi Joe
The typical rebuilt axle sold today has a full spline pressed in cap, they are painted and appear "correct". The type you describe is usually rebuilt by individuals, there may be some sold like that but I have not seen them. When the rebuilt ones are done correctly they are very good, I have used 100's of them but QC should be something applied when offering a rebuilt item, none apparently is.

Gary-------


How long is the replaced section on the axles you have seen and is it retained by a roll pin? Also, is all of the replaced section outboard of the spider gear (i.e do any of the replaced section's splines engage the spider gear when installed)?

[Mark G.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Thanks Gary. You mentioned bringing a side gear to check fitment. Does it have to be the actual gear from this particular rear or if I bought a new or used Corvette side gear? The rear is all assembled except for the stub axles. If I locate a side gear, does it matter if it is 6269528 (w/posi) or 3820638 (non posi)? The rear is a 4.11 but it has Richmond gears and the parts book shows the 528 with posi except 4.11 ratio.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Joe
The common rebuilt axles are faced and bored at the snap ring groove. If you were to remove the paint covering them up you would see the seam.
This will be outside of the spider so the load on the splines will be on the solid axle. The axles I have seen that failed were hollow, the spline well below the groove putting the hollow core in the spider side gear and twisting, then snapping under load. I am not sure who was/is machining these but they are terrible and dangerous.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Mark
I am not into the numbers as much as the part. Joe would be better to answer questions regarding the GM numbers but all the 63-79 diff's used 17 spline axles so any of those spider side gears will work to test a new axle. The axle should slide into the side gear without issue or force. There many be a little play in the splines but not a lot. The snap ring should fully close when installed and can be slid around in the groove, if not the cap is not machined correct. I had to grind lead-ins on axles, dress the replacement cap spline width, found the groove diameter too big and too small, stress cracked ends, stripped holes, shields falling off. ALL from lack of a quality control system, pretty poor workmanship and lack of supervision. New imported axles, the ones I have checked and made a mistake of using 10+ years ago were worse. I have not used any of the new imported axles to comment on but I sure would be checking every dimension if I was going to use them.

I wouldn't touch Richmond gears today, good luck with them. I don't believe they are thick RG like US Gear so you probably have a 4 series case? You won't know what endplay you have in them until you install them and get the snap ring on. Depending on how the posi was setup determine how much endplay you have. A real good job= 005-007, an average job 010-020", a bad job= more then 020" on a rebuilt diff is terrible. I set mine all up to 005-007".


A little note to those who machine these axles, check the dimensions of an original GM axle or get a better source of reference than the guy you have because many of them are way out of range.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Joe
The common rebuilt axles are faced and bored at the snap ring groove. If you were to remove the paint covering them up you would see the seam.
This will be outside of the spider so the load on the splines will be on the solid axle. The axles I have seen that failed were hollow, the spline well below the groove putting the hollow core in the spider side gear and twisting, then snapping under load. I am not sure who was/is machining these but they are terrible and dangerous.

Gary-------


The rebuilt axles I have seen are spliced about an inch in from the end. I believe the replacement splined end has a reduced diameter section which fits into a hole bored into the end of the shortened axle shaft. Then, it is retained with a roll pin inserted into a hole bored through the axle shaft and reduced diameter section of the new axle end. I DON'T LIKE THESE, AT ALL. I also highly recommend against their use for the exact reasons you describe.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 427 differential stub axles

Joe
I have not seen those axles that you speak of. None of the rebuilt axles I have seen and used were pinned that I saw. The plug did not go beyond the snap ring groove. The ones that sheared were really bad. Bottom line, the quality that we once took for granted is disappearing in favor of cheaply built parts.