Took the Output Shaft / Passenger side CV shaft off (together). Can’t find Output Shaft replacement

[Cajuntec]

I gave up on separating the CV shaft from the Differential Output Shaft and removed the whole thing in one piece. Even if I get them separated, I have a good feeling the teeth on the Differential Output shaft are worn / rusty, so I just figured I’d buy a whole replacement Output Shaft to go with the new CV shaft I bought. Nobody seems to have them in stock!

68722946AA part number is Not Available on the Mopar online parts store, and none of the other online Mopar places I’ve checked have it either. They all say “in stock” until you get to checkout and then I get the same “Some parts in your cart are on Backorder…” (it’s the only part in my cart).

Dealer “solution” was to purchase a whole front differential. That’s just stupid.

So frustrated with this truck right now. Up to this point, I’ve loved owning this Ram. Still love the Ram… but pretty frustrated with trying to acquire parts lately. I sold my 2014 because the dealer answer to my intermittent noise issue was “needs a new engine”. Looks like the answer to by CV axle clicking problem is “needs a new front differential”.

 

[skyhawk42]

I looked at the price of the new differential and it wasn’t too horrible, but same issue, can’t find one in stock. Lot of aftermarket stub shafts available, but I don’t know which one I trust to be reliable

 

[Cajuntec]

I looked at the price of the new differential and it wasn’t too horrible, but same issue, can’t find one in stock. Lot of aftermarket stub shafts available, but I don’t know which one I trust to be reliable

Where did you find aftermarket replacements for that piece? I'd be happy to take a chance, just to get my Ram back on the road. At this point, I'm tempted to turn my 4x4 into a 2wd just to be able to dive it again. Lucky to have my son's Toyota Camry to go back and forth to work, but when you are used to driving a full size truck... compact car just doesn't feel right.

 

[Cajuntec]

Mopar eStore has a pop up that says:

Not for Sale. No Longer Available For Purchase

Ever? Like no longer manufactured ever again? That's just nuts if that's the case.

 

[skyhawk42]

Mopar eStore has a pop up that says:

Not for Sale. No Longer Available For Purchase

Ever? Like no longer manufactured ever again? That's just nuts if that's the case.

Lots on Amazon and eBay. I was searching ram 1500 stub shaft and found a lot of kits that come with both sides, and new seals and bearings.

 

[Cajuntec]

Yep. I found rebuild kits, but if I can't get the actual unit separated from the CV shaft, the rebuild kit won't do me much good. I was looking for the entire part - assembled. Looks like I may have to find a way to cut the old shaft off, and then rebuild with one of those kits.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Yep. I found rebuild kits, but if I can't get the actual unit separated from the CV shaft, the rebuild kit won't do me much good. I was looking for the entire part - assembled. Looks like I may have to find a way to cut the old shaft off, and then rebuild with one of those kits.

Might try taking the CV axle to a local shop to see if they can get the intermediate shaft separated.

 

[1791]

you will need a grinder and a air hammer and patience

 

[Cajuntec]

Well… I got the CV shaft and Output Shaft separated today. Lots of time with the grinder. Output shaft is toast. I’m going to have to rebuild it. But I cleaned it up and put it back on the truck without the CV shaft today so at least it’s drivable now (3wd). Now I need to find a good rebuild kit from the many listed on EBay so I can install my new CV shaft on the passenger side and be done with this headache.

 

[1791]

Well… I got the CV shaft and Output Shaft separated today. Lots of time with the grinder. Output shaft is toast. I’m going to have to rebuild it. But I cleaned it up and put it back on the truck without the CV shaft today so at least it’s drivable now (3wd). Now I need to find a good rebuild kit from the many listed on EBay so I can install my new CV shaft on the passenger side and be done with this headache.

did the video help?

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Well… I got the CV shaft and Output Shaft separated today. Lots of time with the grinder. Output shaft is toast. I’m going to have to rebuild it. But I cleaned it up and put it back on the truck without the CV shaft today so at least it’s drivable now (3wd). Now I need to find a good rebuild kit from the many listed on EBay so I can install my new CV shaft on the passenger side and be done with this headache.

I've seen this kit on Amazon, no firsthand experience

Right & Left Front Axle Shaft Kit for Ram 1500

Dorman Right Side Kit

 

[Cajuntec]

did the video help?

I appreciate it, but I had a different kind of grinder. Not the thin blade one he had. I did it off the truck. First I separated the CV shaft from the Output shaft with a reciprocating saw using a carbide blade. Kind of the same principle he used in the video, but with a bigger / different tool. I knew where the clip was by measuring the groove on the good CV shaft and cut down to the grooves than smacked it with a hammer to separate. Then I used an angle grinder to grind the remaining collar down to the shaft. The c clip was then bouncing around and I was able to grab it and pull it out using an awl to push on one end and a small pair of needle nose pliers to pull it from the other. It broke in half so I had to wiggle it and push a piece of wire into the groove until it popped out the other side. Then I pulled it out with the needle nose pliers again. Slid the remaining piece off the shaft and celebrated that small victory for a few minutes before cleaning it up and installing the output shaft back on the truck.
All the best,
Glenn

 

[Cajuntec]

I've seen this kit on Amazon, no firsthand experience

Right & Left Front Axle Shaft Kit for Ram 1500

Dorman Right Side Kit

Thanks. I may have to go this route. It’s a shame the rebuild kit costs just under the retail price of the whole shaft assembled with additional parts.
All the best,
Glenn