I was asked to do a write up on the hub that stripped out. We were in the hills above Banning, mostly trail. It's a beautiful close place to waste some time. OK I noticed on a steep grade a popping noise, it was loud enough for me to hear (I'm near deaf) when we got to top I looked it over and the axle nut had backed off and the axle could turn inside the hub. No Buenos! I had the torque on all axles at 150lbs but had not noticed anything odd when driving. So now I will check before each trip. 

I limped back with rear wheel drive 

Please add any of your experiences with this problem for the search button.

80s jeep cj's had a 2 piece rear axle shaft.. one thing we did when installing new ones (when customer wouldnt spring for 1 piece axle kits), after we installed them we would have the customer bring it back in after a few days and we would retorque the nut..when i replace the hub i just stripped im going to retorque after running it a day or 2..

It happens to those hubs when they get old. I have bought several cars over the years that were stripped just like that . They were a great find ... buy them dirt cheap throw on a hub and away you go. Is it caused by a loose nut ? I don't think so, to much spline contact. I think they get old and crystalize and one day under load "POP" sound familiar? 

Steel doesnt "age" like that. Outside of corrosion, in 1000 years it'll be the exact same composition as it is today.

They can and do wear out though. I stripped a hub on my 84 just driving down the road like normal. Made a couple of popping sounds and then it was gone. Got home in rear wheel drive.

The axle nut on mine was terribly loose, and that is probably the culprit.

Being a slip fit, there is some play in there, but the nut should help keep it all snug.

If the nut isnt tight, then all the variations in torque and vibration will take advantage of that slop and bang it all to death.

It happens to those hubs when they get old. I have bought several cars over the years that were stripped just like that . They were a great find ... buy them dirt cheap throw on a hub and away you go. Is it caused by a loose nut ? I don't think so, to much spline contact. I think they get old and crystalize and one day under load "POP" sound familiar? 

The only way the metal would change would be from heat from a seized bearing, or PO with a torch (and I have seen that), trying to remove the axle. The biggest reason is not checking the torque on the nut. Not installing the cotter pin ect. IMO.

off topic but a fellow idahoan! hey buddy! lets go wheelin! im down in poky

OK Hellbilly fix on axle which was junk and hub even more junk. 

I ground two flat spots in axle opposing each other..

and welded two spots on hub 

several passes and ground down with die grinder.

Oh I tried to drill into both but could only get about 1/2 inch before it hit the tempered steel.

I will update as I drive it on the trail. So thanks to several members here I have the right fix with the right parts so no harm no foul on this lil experiment. Just exploring for the day when no replacements are available, and I still hope to be wheeling SubaRude then. Peace to all and may the trail never end.

Still wheeling this experimental axle. I am noticing a little play from reverse to 1st but I've got about 500 miles on this. I haven't had the time to put SuperBrats axle in her. Maybe this summer.

Axle was getting some slop from 1st to reverse so It was time.  My 11 year old volunteered to do the wrenching so bonus. Installed new bearings with it. I am proud of him he did the fix with guidance and a little help. He was so proud of himself for wrenchin on the Ol Brat by himself.

in the picture is the bearing press I made years ago.