Well I had a productive evening after work last night. Got boith axles out, drilled out the rest of the ball joints, disconnected the drive shaft, and the crack almost completely closed. The just weight of axles and knuckles was tearing the differential apart...and the passanger side axle was in so tight I seriously think I had just forced that driver axle in, the crack is consistent with where the pressure would have been from, so I am going to drop the differential after work, and take it into autozone with the wrong axle they sold me and see what they say. It's my fault, I installed wrong part....but I can still be mad that they sold it to me, and my old axle was in two pieces so it wasn't like I could easily compare them. Oh well. I will fix this and make our blazer happy once more.

 

Poor Blazy

 

Well dropped diff last night, wow that was difficult. Didn't even bother with the upper mount, it was broken clean off. didn't realize that it was a bad thing that the axle shaft pulled out of the tube when I pulled the CV until I took off the tube and the gears were already fallen. Damn. This afternoon I took a long lunch break and went with Tara over to the junk yard to grab one. Got the right gear ratio, thanks to the RPO code sticky and El_beautor's post ;-) went ahead and pulled this one out with the tube and shaft still inplace Would have been almost impossible if it wasn't for just bending the frame mounting bracket out of the way. My wife is really smart Super stoked we got the whole thing for $70 + core. Now gotta get this thing back up. I wish I had a tranny jack...oh my .

Any advice on dealing with Autozone creeps who sold me wrong axle? I know I installed it, so i am mostly to blame, but my other axle was in pieces so it's not like I could easlily compare.

 

Google "How to file small claims online" with your state attached.

Put your case togethere and send it in.

Most larger companys will just send you a check.

Without letting on try to get as many names as you you can from the store, manager and person who sold you the part.

Pics, dates and recipts are important. Use Chiltons job hour book to put togther your damages.

Do not argue with anyone in the store, all smiles.

BEST OF LUCK!!!

 

Thanks spittybays that is very good advice!