USA Standard Axle Shaft For 97-04 Ford F150 / 8.8in / Right Hand Side
A rear wheel bearing that howls on a 1997-2004 Ford F-150, a seal that keeps soaking the passenger-side brake with gear oil, or a bent shaft after an accident usually ends with a new axle shaft. The USA Standard Gear ZA F880033 is the passenger-side (right hand) rear axle shaft for the 8.8 in. rear end in 5-lug F-150 pickups of those years, both 2WD and 4WD. It is a 31-spline C-clip shaft, 31-7/8 in. long, with a 1.620 in. bearing journal, and the flange is double drilled for either 12 mm or 14 mm wheel studs.
The 8.8 in. in these trucks is a semi-floating axle. That means the shaft does two jobs at once: it carries torque from the differential side gear out to the wheel, and it also holds up the weight of the truck at that corner. The inner end slides into the side gear splines and is locked in place by a C-clip inside the differential, behind the pinion shaft. Near the outer end, the shaft runs directly on the rear wheel bearing, and the bearing rollers ride on the shaft's own hardened journal rather than on an inner race. That is why a failed bearing almost always damages the shaft too: once the rollers chew into the journal, a new bearing on the old shaft will not last.
Jack the rear up, spin each wheel by hand and listen for roughness, then grab the tire at top and bottom and check for play. Pull the shaft and inspect the journal under good light; a fingernail that catches on a groove means the shaft is done. Our rear axle bearing noise and seal guide walks through the test drive and teardown, and our Ford 8.8 rear axle problems guide covers the other noises an 8.8 makes. If the differential also whines on and off the throttle, plan the job around a Ford 8.8 master bearing kit while the axles are already out.
This shaft is listed for the right hand side of 1997-2004 Ford F-150 8.8 in. rears, 2WD and 4WD, with 5-lug wheels. The left hand shaft for the same trucks is a different, longer part (33-1/2 in.), because the differential is offset in the housing, so order each side by its own number. The 2004 model year needs extra care: Ford sold the carry-over 2004 F-150 Heritage alongside the redesigned 2004 F-150, and USA Standard lists a separate 2004-2012 F-150 shaft. Seven-lug heavy-duty half-tons are not covered by this 5-lug part. Measure your old shaft from the flange face to the spline end and count the splines (31), or send us your year and VIN to confirm. More parts are under axle hard parts.
Thinking about a stronger setup? See our C-clip vs C-clip eliminator guide.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | ZA F880033 |
| Fits | USA Standard Axle Shaft For 97-04 Ford F150 / 8.8in / Right Hand Side |
| Vehicle fitment | Ford F150 (1997-2004) |
| Type | Axles |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Right hand, which is the passenger side on a US-market F-150. The left side shaft is a different, longer part.
Yes. It is listed for 1997-2004 F-150 8.8 in. rears in both RWD and 4WD, 5-lug wheels.
The 2004 model year includes the carry-over Heritage and the redesigned truck, which uses a separate 2004-2012 shaft. Measure your old shaft or send us your VIN before ordering.
Yes. The bearing rollers ride directly on the shaft journal, so always install a new wheel bearing and axle seal with a new shaft.
The flange is double drilled for 12 mm or 14 mm wheel studs, so it accepts either size. Use new studs if the old ones are stretched or damaged.
