Everet, I concur with your findings. The '98+ rear axles have larger drums brakes and use the A10 bearing set, versus the A9 bearing set on the pre-'98, 26 spline axles. The axles are really the same. Kia just left more meat on the '98+ axle shafts at the splines and the bearing journals. The shafts look identical when laid side-by-side otherwise. But that has to make them a wee-bit stronger than the 26 spline axles. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

1997 Sportage 4x4, auto-trans, Warn manual hubs, 4" UPYOURKIA front lift, TJ 106AA rear springs, 2-5/8" body lift, 31x10.50 treads, SmittyBilt SRC front and XRC rear bumper, swing-out tire mount, OBX LSD front diff, Track Finder rear locker, 5.38 R&Ps and... really crappy gas mileage! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />