eaton truetrac in dana 35 (AMC 15)

Well, we found out why the 27 spline axle won't fit into the 27 spline LSD. I happen to have a parts car 82 Eagle sedan, (rusted beyond redemption) with a broken, snapped in two, left rear axle. (yes, I literally drove the Wheels off that car, well over 300k miles.!)

Anyway, I pulled the broken axle out, and guess what?, it slipped into the new LSD no problem! So, what is the difference between the 77 Hornet Dana 35 axle, and the 82 Eagle Dana 35 axle?

The spline OD is exactly the same. The difference is in the ROOT of the spline. The 77 spline root is 1.075" OD, and the 82 spline root is 1.050" OD, a .025" difference. So just get a couple of Eagle Axles? No, they are the wrong length for the Hornet housing, an 1 1/2" too short.

Hornet bare axle housing is 52 3/8" end to end, and axle is 30 3/8" long.

So, ok, I believe I need axles from a 81+ Spirit or Concord. Anyone have a couple? Or anytime  after AMC sold that axle design to Dana.

Any drivetrain specialists out there? Confirm/deny/tell me I'm stupid :), etc.

thank you, gentlemen!, gz

Anyway, education is expensive, and we have learned a thing or two. One, pre 80s AMC 15 axle shafts don't fit into modern parts, like LSDs (limited slip differentials), and possibly new carriers, though the vendors SAY they do. Two, post 80s AMC15 axle shafts DO fit into modern parts. I managed to find ONE AMC 15 axle shaft on ebay, from a Spirit/Concord, same length as 77 Hornet, slightly deeper spline depth, (.025"), and it fit the new limited slip diff. fine. However, one is not enough! So, I took the 77 axle shafts to a local machine shop, and they deepened the splines for me. Not cheap, but what can you do?! Fits fine now. There may be one more hurdle, a spacer between them that may/may not be right, but one step at a time.

One thing I'm fairly sure of, this will be possibly the MOST expensive, and "hopefully" best built 77 Hornet AMC 15 axle out there! :)  3.55 limited slip. Torsen type.

And no, I don't want a Ford 8.8!  :)

thank you, gz

It was a parts issue when shipping to Australia. Since all big cars used the AMC 20 with 232 or larger six, and V-8 Hornets were sold there too, it was just easier to ship only AMC 20 axles. Made parts and working on them later simpler too. There may have been a local supplier for the axle assemblies, having them only produce one would have made it easier and kept volume up to a more profitable level.