1999 Chevy Blazer Rear Axle

Greetings to all! This is my first but most certainly not my last post.

My Chevy Blazer has developed a problem with the rear driver’s side axle (left side). At first, I thought the bearing had gone bad but after removing the rear drivers side axle, I noticed the bearing had worn down a groove on the surface of the axle about.030 inch deep all the way around. Finding a replacement axle for the truck on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, without going to the Chevy dealership, is impossible unless I want to purchase a used rear end. Nobody wants to separate the axles from the rear end. By the way, after inspection of the passenger side axle, the same groove does not exist. I replaced the bearing on the drivers side because the rollers bearings appeared to be galled from the abuse they had been taking. I also replaced the seal.

After stopping at the last junkyard, I was informed of a “sleeve” that can be placed over the groove on the rear axle. The sleeve cost $30 dollars (Federated Auto Parts) as opposed to the used axle price of $125 and a new axle price of $340 dollars and a used complete rear end price of $350 dollars.

My questions are there;

1. Is this a feasible idea as in how long will this “fix” last for?

2. Does the sleeve that is being put on the axle REQUIRE a new bearing or is there enough play in the bearing to accommodate this sleeve?

3. Does the sleeve “slip” onto the old axle surface or does it need any “coaxing”? (A press or special tools)

4. Does this process require and special welding or staking to hold the axle sleeve in place?


This is a farm vehicle so although the Blazer has 205,000 miles on it, it will only be used on the acreage for hauling trailers. High speed travel is never a worry.