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Hey guys, I am new to the forum so if this is not the best location to post this question or if it has been covered in another thread I apologies. I attempted to use the search function but was not successful at finding an applicable thread.
I am in the process of changing the fourwheel drive axle on my 2006 F150 crew. I ordered a new axel from the NAPA store but the part that came does not look like the original axel. The old axle has a completely round flange that bolts to the face of the shaft coming from the differential. The new axle has a flange that is molded or star shaped (see the picture below). I questioned the guy in the NAPA store who called the factory. The factory swears that the new axle with the shaped flange is the correct part and will bolt up an work just as the original axle. My concern is that not having a round flange leaves areas on the face of the differential shaft exposed to the elements and for mud to collect on.
Have any of you replaced a CV axle with one that looks like this one, and were there any issues with the fit or the operation? What concerns should I have the face of the differential shaft is not completely covered as it was from the factory? I am open to all comments and appreciate the input.
Thanks
I haven't done the replacement you're doing but I'm getting parts ready for doing something similar. The exposed area would just the axle flange mating surface. It won't hurt anything.
I haven't done the replacement you're doing but I'm getting parts ready for doing something similar. The exposed area would just the axle flange mating surface. It won't hurt anything.
No issue to worry about. It's common for after market companies to change some minor design elements of a component so that they can use the same base component in other assemblies. The axle shaft is probably a different diameter than stock also.
Thanks for the info guys. I had an issue with an order from them in the past. Bought a hub from them last year. I didn't find out that it's design difference would be an issue until I was trying to remount the calipers. They wouldn't fit with the aftermarket hub. I hate running into issues in the middle of a project.
Question about CV Axle Replacement
