Help with CV Axle differences

[Jeff S]

I have a 1988 Sundance, it calls for 2 different axles in 1988, pre-September axles and post-September axles...the door sticker was damaged in only one spot...the month of manufacture...so I took a guess and ordered the pre-September axle.

Everything is the same except the rear housing, which is round instead of triangular...is this whats causing my problems? The axle fit in fine just like the old one did, splines on the hub matched up and the rear fit into the transmission and sealed it, but I can free-spin the axle in any gear, it doesnt engage at all, but the engine bogs down when the transmission goes into gear.

When I go from a gear to park I hear a small short grind and then a click, which I assume is the park gear engaging, but I can still free-spin the axle

I compared the axles when I got it, same length, same splines, everything, with exception to that rear casing being different.

I really need some info or something, this is supposed to be my daily driver and its been off the road for 2 weeks now.

[tryingbe]

I'm guessing the car isn't moving at all in any gear?

[JDAWG]

axles are too short, do you have an origional?

[JDAWG]

might help, you need to match your origional to that

[Jeff S]

might help, you need to match your origional to that

The original is the one on top...I have the very bottom one....GGRRR

Thanks for the help, thats confirmed my suspicions...but wouldnt the transmission leak since its not going in all the way?

[JDAWG]

it goes in far enough to seal the hole but not to catch the spline properly

[turbovanman²]

Look at the splines very carefully, trans side, there is small and large spline, its possible someone put an 86 and older trans in it which uses's small spline, 87+ are large spline except L body's which went large spline in 88 for auto's and never for 5 speeds.

As for inner joint differences, as long as the length and splines match, you can use any year.