Yukon Gear 1541H Alloy Replacement Left Hand Rear Axle For 99+ Dana 44-Super

This is a single left-hand (driver side) rear axle shaft for the Dana 44 rear axle Jeep used under the 1999-and-newer WJ Grand Cherokee, often called the Super 44 or Dana 44HD. Yukon Gear and Axle part YA D76454-4X is made from 1541H alloy, has 30 splines and a 5 x 5.5 inch bolt pattern, and is meant for owners who have a bent shaft, a chewed bearing journal, or worn splines on the driver side and want a new shaft instead of a used one.

What the rear axle shaft does in a WJ Dana 44

The rear axle shaft carries torque from the side gear in the differential out to the wheel flange. On the WJ the shaft also rides on the axle bearing near the outer end of the tube, so the bearing journal on the shaft is a wear surface. When a bearing fails and is driven for a while, the rollers can groove that journal, and a new bearing on a grooved shaft will not live long. A bent flange or shaft from a curb strike or a hard off-road hit causes a wobble you can feel and see, and it also chews up the seal. In any of those cases the shaft itself is the part to replace.

Yukon lists the shaft at 30 splines with the 5 x 5.5 inch pattern used on the WJ. Its description gives the length as 31.34 inches while its fitment table lists 31.75 inches, so measure your old shaft before you order.

Symptoms that point to the left rear shaft

• Growl or hum from the driver-side rear that changes in turns, usually a failing axle bearing that may have damaged the journal.
• Gear oil on the inside of the left rear wheel or brake parts from a leaking axle seal.
• Wheel wobble or runout you can see when spinning the tire, or a vibration that started after an impact.
• A clunk on take-off or no drive from that wheel if the splines are stripped.

How to confirm before you buy

Lift the rear, spin the left wheel, and watch the flange with a fixed pointer or dial indicator; visible runout means a bent shaft or flange. Pull the shaft and inspect the bearing contact area: smooth and bright is fine, pitted or stepped means the shaft should be replaced along with the bearing. Rear axle noise can be confused with transmission or transfer case noise, so our guide to telling differential noise from transmission noise is worth a read, and the Dana 44 axle problems guide covers the carrier side.

Fitment

Yukon fits this shaft to the Dana 44HD rear in the 1999-2003 Grand Cherokee 4WD and 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee 2WD, while its product description says 1999-2002. It is the left-hand side only. The most important check is the differential: Yukon notes that if your WJ has the factory Hydra-Lok posi, the correct shaft is YA D76454-2X, not this one. Some WJs also came with a Model 35 rear instead of the Dana 44, which takes different shafts. Look for the axle tag or send us the year and VIN and we will confirm. Other axle parts are listed in our hard parts category.

Install notes

• Drain the gear oil and pull the diff cover so you can see how the shafts are retained in this axle before you pull anything.
• Remove the wheel, caliper, and rotor, then pull the old shaft without dragging it through the seal.
• Install a new axle bearing and seal with the new shaft. The Yukon AK D44-SUPER bearing and seal kit covers one side of the WJ axle.
• If the carrier bearings are noisy too, the Yukon Dana 44HD bearing install kit handles the differential side. A steel Dana 44HD cover is a cheap upgrade while the cover is off.
• Refill with the gear oil grade in your owner's manual and add friction modifier if your axle has a clutch-type limited slip.

Is this the driver or passenger side?

YA D76454-4X is the left-hand rear shaft, which is the driver side on a US-market Grand Cherokee. It is sold as one shaft.

My WJ has the Hydra-Lok posi. Does this shaft fit?

Yukon says no. For a WJ with the factory Hydra-Lok posi, Yukon specifies YA D76454-2X instead.

How long is the shaft and how many splines?

It is 30 spline with a 5 x 5.5 inch bolt pattern. Yukon lists the length as 31.34 inches in one place and 31.75 inches in another, so measure your old shaft to confirm.

Should I replace the axle bearing and seal too?

Yes. A new shaft should always get a new bearing and seal; reusing a worn bearing will damage the new journal.

Does it fit a WJ with the Model 35 rear?

No. This shaft is for the Dana 44 (Super 44 / 44HD) rear only. Check the axle tag or send the VIN if you are not sure which axle you have.