front axel

[Jacques]

My front axel (the long one, bendix) is starting to make noise and I was wondering if I should start looking for another one (original bendix) and this I am not to sure if there many around OR start looking for a newer one like a CJ5 or something like that and if a CJ5 front axel would fit in M38 diff with no modification to the front flange, spindle, wheel bearing etc .

Anybody aware of any vendors selling axels.

Should i start asking the local Trany/diff shop if they can fixe that (oversize balls)

[wesk]

Any of the four types can be adapted to your housing. Most of the vendors will carry one or two types. Depending on what you install you may need to accomadate a slightly different bushing/retaining arrangement.


Try Midwest Military, Brian Asbury, Willys Acres, Northland Willys, Northstar Willys, Peter DeBella, and Army Jeep Parts.

[Jacques]

Thanks Wes

[cmpman]

If you have a choice, go with the latest style of axle, like that used on the M38A1Cdn 2 and 3s. These are the axles that have a common U-joint on them.
In all the years I worked on these Jeeps, I never had to replace a front axle once. I upgraded the old Bendix axles on my M38 with them, and never looked back.

[wesk]

The late axle cardon joints do NOTallow as tight a turning radius as the early Bendix and Rzeppa . If you do use the later Cardon joints be sure to re-adjust your steering stops.

[Jacques]

Ok Wes,
Well whoever adjusted the steering stops last, welded them in place, no more adjustment but Looks like they were adjusted a little less than spec so I will be OK

Now "cmpman" do you know of a supplier here in canada where I could buy one or two axels for my M38?

Or are they the regular early CJ 1960/70's axels you could order from the local 4X4 shop around here in Montreal?

[cmpman]

They are the same as the CJs from the 60s. I bought a pallet full of brand new CJ5 axles about 20 years back, some front and some rear. I now only have one pair of these front shafts left, and I'm keeping them for myself.
Not sure where you are going to find them here in Canada. You can try some of the usual places here in Canada, like Brian Asbury, Willys acres, gemini jeep.. Or you can check around any military surplus scrapyards.
JC Whitney in the US lists the CJ5 axles for $155 each.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... se/s-10101

[Liviu]

Jacques, be aware of Willys Acres.
A few of us had very unpleasant experiences with them.

[TomM]

Brent Mullens has WWII style Rzeppa axles. You will have to follow the CJ assembly manual and install them with the nut at the end of the axle and shims under the hub (.060 from memory) . All the vendors were asking around $100/axle but Mullens had them at somewhere around $50.
I did not have any luck finding the true M-38 style axles that didn't have the end nut.
The axles are coated with cosmolene. Take the time to dis'assemble the joint, clean it with mineral spirits, grease it and reassemble it.
If you choose to go with the WWII axles be sure to order shims and the end nut when you buy an axle.
I found most vendors dont know the difference between a WWII axle and an M series axle so be prepared to explain that in your search.
While you are in there you should check/replace the bronze bearing.
After you replace the bronze bearing, double check the fit on the axle. I chucked the spindle into a lathe and used emery cloth to open the fit just enough for the "running fit" called for in the manual.


Tom