Interesting Use of Plastic in an Axle

[CarbonSteel]

While replacing the OEM axles with Dana Spicer Chrome Moly axles, the shop called me to confirm that I had bought the correct front axles for the FAD because the passenger side did not seem to fit properly. It turns out that I was the first person to replace the OEM with Dana parts versus RCV or another axle brand and the shop had not seen the below.

There is a bushing in the inner inner stub shaft that is made of plastic (item #3 in the image below) and the replacement axles are larger and thus this bushing is not required. Though perhaps not load bearing, it is a strange place to use a plastic bushing.

Thought that I would share...

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[four low]

I believe my 1993 has a similar bushing, its to keep dirt / water out, sort of. Not load bearing, just a " dust " shield

 

[CarbonSteel]

I believe my 1993 has a similar bushing, its to keep dirt / water out, sort of. Not load bearing, just a " dust " shield

Not sure how that would work since it is on the inside of the axle. It makes up the difference in diameter between the inner shaft and the inner inner shaft.

 

[limeade]

I believe my 1993 has a similar bushing, its to keep dirt / water out, sort of. Not load bearing, just a " dust " shield

Nope, they're not a dust shield. These are a bushing between the passenger inner and outer shafts (near the FAD collar).

Here's a pic of where it's at (mine broke when I pulled it out with a set of pliers):

@CarbonSteel : When I installed the Dana Chromo axles I found the same thing and realized that bushing had to be removed. I think a bronze bushing would've been better/stronger, but the bean counters probably figured the plastic piece is "good enough".

 

[CarbonSteel]

Nope, they're not a dust shield. These are a bushing between the passenger inner and outer shafts (near the FAD collar).

Here's a pic of where it's at (mine broke when I pulled it out with a set of pliers):

@CarbonSteel : When I installed the Dana Chromo axles I found the same thing and realized that bushing had to be removed. I think a bronze bushing would've been better/stronger, but the bean counters probably figured the plastic piece is "good enough".

Agreed! A number of different things they could have done other than plastic. I was very surprised (perhaps I should not have been) that plastic was there versus metal.

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