Dana44 axle sounds bad

[boltbrain]

I just replaced the long axle on my Dana 44 with one from the wrecker’s and putting the hub together noticed when the axle engag s and turns it sounds like it’s not engaging at the gears much at all. Sounds bad. The wheel bearings are tight, and the axle went back in with no problem. Is there a wrong way of putting it in? Hate to take it out again., the inside splines looked fine. Thanks

 

[boltbrain]

I replaced it because the guy I bought it from left that hub engages full time due to the fact the insides of the hub were full of rust, (no O ring) and the axle was rusted real bad

 

[boltbrain]

Took it out, I got a smaller one from the wrecker. Fewer splines. Everything in the front was bigger when they used the 14 bolt rear end with float. My calipers were bigger too. All I have to do ( if possible) is swap the stubby outer axles at the U joint