QU40221U Good Used Outer Axle Shaft with 3 snap ring grooves.

This part has superseded to QU40221 New.

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Dan the Gear Man Tech Notes:
U-Joint Size
3 Snap Ring Grooves
1971 to 72 GM Dana 44
C-Frame Press
Before Installing
Matching Parts

Tech Note 1: U-Joint Size
QU40221U Axle Shaft takes universal joints made to Spicer 1350WJ dimensional specifications. The cup diameter for these u-joints is 1-3/16″. The 4 matching u-joint cups are grooved to accept Inside C-Clip Snap Rings. The installed Clips fit against the machined inner faces of the axle shaft yokes. The distance between the inside of the axle shaft yoke ears is 2-3/16″. For matching u-joints, see TK40712 and QU90007

Tech Note 2: 3 Snap Ring Grooves
QU40221 Axle Shafts have three snap ring grooves. The outer groove is used with most manual lockout hubs and 1-1/4″ thick, stepped, splined full-time hub gears. The middle groove is typically used with single thickness and 7/8″ stepped, splined full-time hub gears. The inner groove is for applications with factory automatic locking hubs. For manual hub and full-time applications, you can also use QU40660U Used Inner Axle Shafts with two snap ring grooves.

Tech Note 3: 1971 to 72 GM Dana 44
If you have a 1971 or early 1972 GM Dana 44 disc brake front axle using Spicer 1310WJ axle u-joints with 1-1/16″ diameter cups, it is possible to replace the axle shaft assemblies with the stronger, 1972.5 and newer parts that use Spicer 1350WJ axle universal joints with 1-3/16″ diameter cups. The axle shaft lengths are the same. The only problem we have encountered is there may be some interference between the end of the axle tubes and the larger inner axle shaft yokes which can be eliminated by grinding a little material off the back side of the yokes.
The parts you need to upgrade your 1971-1972.5 axles to the larger 1350WJ series axle u-joints are:
QU40221 Outer Axle Shaft
QU40058 Axle Shaft Slinger
QU40228 Spindle Bearing and Seal Kit
QU40638 Left Inner Axle Shaft (No longer available)
QU40637 Right Inner Axle Shaft
TK40712 or QU90007 Axle U-Joints

Tech Note 4: C-Frame Press
Outer axle shaft operating failures are usually a result of either a broken axle u-joint or a dry spindle bearing. Good preventative maintenance can usually prevent those type of failures. A good number of axle shafts are also wrecked by poor service procedures during u-joint replacement. Over the years I have seen a lot of axle shafts with bent or broken yokes caused by the slam-bang u-joint removal and installation methods. A C-Frame Press with the correct adapters is both the safest and best way to remove or install axle u-joints

Tech Note 5: Before Installing
Before installing your new axle shaft, lube the bearing, seal, and thrust washer with QU90018 Pyroplex grease. Also, apply some Anti-Seize Compound to the mating surfaces between the spindle and steering knuckle

Tech Note 6: Matching Parts
QU40058 Axle Shaft Slinger
QU40228 Spindle Bearing and Seal Kit
QU40056 Small Spindle V-Seal
QU40070 Spindle Thrust Washer
QU40071 Large Spindle V-Seal
QK4734 Spindle Bearings
QU40032 Axle Shaft Snap Ring
QU40636 Left Inner Axle Shaft for 1973-1980 Dana 44 (No longer available)
QU40637 Right Inner Axle for 1973-1980 Dana 44
QU40222 28 Spline Left Inner Axle Shaft for 1977 to 1989.5 GM 10 Bolt Front Axle
QU40284 28 Spline Right Inner Axle Shaft for 1977 to 1989.5 GM 10 Bolt Front Axle
TK40712 and QU90007 Axle U-Joints
QU40598/QU40428U/QU40657U Splined Hub Gears
QU56018 Warn Manual Lockout Hub Set
QU90018 Pyroplex Grease
Chevy & GMC Shop Manuals

Applications:
Chevy and GMC:
K5 Blazer/Jimmy, 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton Suburban and Truck: 1972.5
K5 Full Size Blazer/Jimmy: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1978, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
K10/K15/K1500: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
V1500 1/2 ton Suburban: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
K20/K25/K2500 3/4 ton Suburban and Truck: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
V2500 3/4 ton Suburban: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991