Rear axle missing bearing

[Finley95gst]

Got a 2g awd m/t shell with a lsd rear end and noticed my rear driver side axle was lose. I tried getting the axle out and it wouldn't come out and managed to mushroom it beyond repair. I had to take the wheel hub off to get the axle out of the rear diff. When I opened the boot by the axle cup closest to the diff, it was missing the bearing inside of there. I've looked everywhere and can get a replacement for the part that goes into the wheel hub but can't find that bearing anywhere. I've tried junkyards, jnz, razels, everywhere. What other options do I have or am I screwed?

 

[Paul@RTM]

By bearing do you mean the three-pronged male thing that fits inside the mating female cup on the diff side? I've got a pic of it kicking around somewhere I could post if necessary. Anyway, if this is the part you're talking about it fits on the diff-side splined end of the axle shaft and is not actually connected to the female tripod cup. What you need to buy is a used LSD axle with this part on it or just the whole axle to be sure you get this part.

I'll post a pic at some point and it'll make more sense. We've got a few used rear axles kicking around here but they're all nonLSD.

 

[Finley95gst]

Yea that's the piece I'm talking about, and I've tried to find a used axle but can't find one anywhere. All I can find is the outer cv

 

[Paul@RTM]

I've tried to find a used axle but can't find one anywhere

Yup, they're kinda rare 'cause lots of guys with nonLSD upgrade to LSD so the demand is high and supply is low.

Here's a pic:

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'Course you recognize the green inner cup with the splined shaft that inserts into the diff. That three-pronged thing next to it is the male counterpart. You'll notice the inner bore of that is splined. That fits onto the end of the axle shaft (which, of course, is also splined) and held in place with a snap ring. As far as I know the only parts available new from the dealer would be:
1) the inner cup (and nothing else)
2) the whole rest of the axle (including the part you want)
Both these parts are VERY expensive from the dealer or the few places that make an aftermarket version. You're just gonna have to keep looking for a used axle until you find one.

 

[arash15]

You CAN use a NON LSD axle as a donor for the tripod bearing. You just need to remove the snap ring and transer bearings. I just had to deal with this issue. Cheers!

 

[miguelmcv]

Lsd and non lsd are different size, you need the parts from the right axle, unless you are not doing high power and keep it easy, then you use different axle part, but I wouldn't recommend.

 

[Paul@RTM]

You CAN use a NON LSD axle as a donor for the tripod bearing.

As far as I know, this is not true. The spline counts are different. I'm not disputing you took parts from one axle and transferred them to another, just questioning the LSD/nonLSD status of said axles.

 

[miguelmcv]

Sounds like he didn't swap the triple bearing, he just swap the end cup.