Question for gturner:
Hello, and first I have to say that after searching the web for a week, I'm relieved to have found this site.
I so could use your help.
I'm the original owner of a 2000 Dakota 4WD, V6 3.9
A little history on the problem at hand, then a quick question at the bottom.
Guys thanks so much in advance for your help with this. I don't even think Dodge knows how to answer this... read on.
Back in July of this summer, the driver's side front half shaft went bad.
I normally would have done the work myself (I do all the work on my truck myself) but was injured at the time and couldn't risk making the injury worse (herniated discs... Don't ever hurt your back... best advice ANYone could give).
So I had a very reputable shop replace the halfshaft. All was good.
Until... a week ago, the same halfshaft (driver's front) starts groaning again.
I look underneath to find the inner end of the halfshaft completely fallen off of the stub shaft that comes out of the differential housing... AND, the stub shaft splines nearly destroyed.
Called the shop that did the work for me, and was told "bring it in, we'll cover all parts under warranty but not the labor". I decided to fix it myself this time, based on: a) I wanna do it this time. b) WOuldn't be saving much at all, beings I'd have to rent a car for a few days anyway.
The Repair
I order a halfshaft and the stub shaft from Dodge, and pick them up this morning. Replaced them both today (driver's side front) to find that:
the outer groove on the stubshaft is in the wrong spot! The slotted groove is in the middle of the exposed end of the shaft, whereas it really needs to be about 1/4" from the end (where the original shaft's groove was) in order to mate up with the groove in the inner end of the halfshaft hub!!
The result is: I can't get the halfshaft hub to "snap" onto the stubshaft ring, because the slot for the ring is in the wrong spot.
I called Dodge, and service manager found a footnote on whatever screen he ordered the parts from, that said something like: stub shaft has been modified to streamline production. Clip ring no longer needed, and should be a non-issue once the halfshaft has been mounted, since it's trapped between the diff housing and the wheel hub.
I beg to differ!!! :argue:
I can reach in and yank the inside end of the halfshaft right off the stinkin' stubshaft.
Service manager's reassurance was, "well, your parts are waranteed for a year, so if it wears out we'll replace them".
Here's the thing: I don't WANT them to wear out. Don't wanna do this every 4 months, as it seems that's all I got out of the last one!!
Anyone run into this?? If so, did it last???
I wanna say it CAN'T be a good thing to be able to yank the halfshaft right off the stubshaft!
If Dodge is gonna do something like that, shouldn't the halfshaft be made LONGER, so that it won't slip off??
Has the dealer made a mistake? Did they give me the wrong halfshaft to go with Dodge's "altered" stub shaft??
Help!!!! :huh:
-matt