Make sure the splines fit before you swap out the retainer plate and press the bearing on over it. D'oh.

I picked up a new axle for one side of my '68 and the splines were not cut deep enough. Maybe whatever they use to cut the splines was worn out.

The sticker on the flange end said "Sierra"
It had an '84' stamped on the splined end.


The vendor I purchased from was very good. They verified that their other 'Sierra' brand axles would not fit (they also sell differentials).
They had a more expensive brand in stock, and physically verified for me that it would fit before shipping it out.

They are overnighting the part for the same price, but I do have to pay up front and wait to get credited when the bad one is returned... and the car is down for 2 days instead of 2 hours.

I'd like to think they will inform the first manufacturer and the problem will be rectified, but until then, any of these axles still in stock elsewhere might have the same problem.

Great post my friend! Sounds like the Vendor did not know of the issue until you brought it up. We'll have to take his word at this for now.

Now keep us ALL informed on how the replacement part shipment goes, and more importantly how that Vendor has fixed his system to ensure other Pontiac folks don't go through this.

We must keep the Vendors and Sellers on their toes, folks! We've ALL been through the "wrong part" fiasco on Ebay and other sites. If you don't [censored] enough they won't fix the system.

The new axle fit great. It was a "Tom's axles" brand.
I found his home site at tomsdifferentials.com
I bought his axle through West Coast Differentials and they took care of my problem (still waiting for credit for the defect though). They said they only had one more of the defective "sierra" brand axles left for the Pontiac. I don't know for sure what they intend to do with it, but they did verify that it would not fit before they sent me the good replacement.

Sounds like they might even stand behind it when it twists. How much was an axle from these guys? I'll need a couple of new ones one of these days.

Robert

Scott, if you truly bought new axle assemblies AND the new bearings and seals , then let us all know again for sure.

I feel like I did the job half-[censored] last year by using old shafts that barely passed inspection. Completely new assemblies is most certainly the right thing to do.

I only replaced one side.
It was a bare axle, and i had them ship a bearing with it.
I had to press on the new bearing and new wheel studs. I suppose you could re-use the old studs. The bearing was a Timken. The studs I got at NAPA. I re-used my seal, since it was still fairly new. I don't recommend that, but I need a reason to replace my brake shoes anyway

Total from WCD was $142.69
I paid no extra for the better axle they shipped later.
That breaks down to
102.13 axle
21.75 bearing
18.81 shipping to NC from CA

5 studs were about $6
I have a press so didn't have to pay to have the bearing pressed on. That usually runs $20-$30 I think.

Add about $40-50 for the "Tom's Axles" brand if you get it through WCD.
I would go to tomsdifferentials.com to see if you can get one direct from him.

Thanks for the pricing info. I think I saw new axle kits from Summit selling for about the same price.

Robert