new front axles installed. Should I do rear as well?

[Gilles]

Just got new front axles as well as brand new shocks all around. I was wondering, since I did the front axles, should i replace the rear axles or just wait till they get bad and then replace them.

there are about 185,000 miles on the axles.

 

[Rusty Davis]

I see no point in replacing the rear axle shafts unless absolutely necessary. The main thing I'd keep an eye on is the bearings and seals. If you ever notice leakage around the back of the brake drum (not at the wheel cylinder) then it's time to change the seals.

Unless you have a ton of torque going to your rear axles, a hard locker, huge tires, a tendency to try to spin the wheels, or a combination of the above- your axles will last a looong time.

Others may or may not agree, but I've gotten over 265k on my original axles, bearings, and seals. I've checked the splines, seals and bearings many times due to several diff changes and they're holding up just fine. One thing I do just to be on the safe side is to use a little hi-temp sealer whenever I re-install the shaft into the tube if I have the axle pulled out.

If it makes you feel better, grab a spare axle shaft without any brake hardware and put it with spare parts. Without the brake hardware it's easier to store and will fit either side.

Some vendors- if I remember correctly 4Crawler (Roger Brown) carries used axles or you can pick one up at a junk yard

 

[fourwd1]

Rear axle shaft breakage is very rare, and probably only going to occur during some serious rock crawling.

Why would you think about replacing something that isn't broken ? Axles are not part of normal periodic maintainence.

 

[Gilles]

appreciate the help, my mechanic told me the same.