Not sure which UAZ axle you have? You’re not alone. Over the years, many vehicles have been repaired, swapped, or upgraded, so “model year guessing” often leads to the wrong parts.
This quick guide helps you identify your axle family in under 10 seconds using one simple visual check. Once you know whether it’s Spicer or Timken, ordering the correct seals, gaskets, differential parts and upgrades becomes straightforward.
Fast goal: identify your axle type in under 10 seconds so you can choose the correct seals, gaskets, covers, differential parts and upgrades.
These two axle families get mixed up the most. The photos below show the differences clearly.
Quick ID in 10 Seconds
| Step | Look at | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back of the differential housing (rear face of the “pumpkin”). |
Spicer: you see a clear rear diff cover (removable plate on the back). Timken: no rear cover. The center looks more “classic” and is typically split-style with bolts around the joint. |
| 2 | Pinion input area (where the driveshaft flange goes into the diff). |
Spicer: usually a longer snout (longer protrusion). Timken: usually a shorter snout (shorter protrusion). |
Side-by-Side Photos (Loose Axles)
What you are seeing
- A rear differential cover on the back of the housing.
- A longer pinion input protrusion where the driveshaft connects.
- A more “modern” center section compared to classic split housings.
Ordering tip: if you need cover related parts (gasket, cover protection, cover bolts), confirm Spicer first.
What you are seeing
- No rear differential cover on the back of the housing.
- Typically a split-style center section with bolts around the joint.
- A shorter pinion input protrusion.
Ordering tip: Timken setups often use different sealing parts and different axle-family components.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Spicer | Timken |
|---|---|---|
| Rear diff cover | Yes, clearly visible on the back | No, the back is not a removable cover |
| Housing style | Rear access cover on the diff housing | Typically split-style center section with bolts around the joint |
| Pinion input protrusion | Often longer | Often shorter |
| Most common confusion | People assume “modern model means Spicer” | People assume “classic model means Timken” |
| Reality | After years of swaps and repairs, photos are more reliable than model-year assumptions. | |
Why This Matters When Ordering Parts
Spicer and Timken axles may look similar at a glance, but the differential housing construction is different. That affects what parts fit correctly. Picking the wrong axle family can mean the wrong gasket, wrong cover parts, or a rebuild that does not go smoothly.
| Area | Spicer (rear cover type) | Timken (no rear cover type) |
|---|---|---|
| Diff access and sealing | Rear cover related parts matter (cover, gasket, cover protection) | Split-style sealing and housing joint parts matter more |
| Pinion input area | Often longer snout, check flange and related parts | Often shorter snout, check flange and related parts |
| Upgrades | Cover and diff related accessories are usually axle-family specific | Lockers and internal diff parts must match the axle family |
Common Russian Terms You Might See
If you read Russian listings or forum posts, these words show up a lot. They help you match what you see to the axle in your hands.
| Term | Meaning | How it helps you |
|---|---|---|
| мост (most) | axle (front or rear) | General word used for the whole axle assembly |
| Спайсер (Spicer) | Spicer axle family | Usually the axle with a rear diff cover |
| Тимкен (Timken) | Timken axle family | Usually the classic style without a rear diff cover |
| разрезной (split-style) | split housing | Commonly used when describing Timken-style construction |
| хвостовик (pinion snout) | pinion input area | Useful when people discuss short vs long protrusion |
Other Axle Types You Might Run Into
Hybrid axles: some vehicles have mixed components after years of repairs and swaps. Always trust the photos more than assumptions.
Portal (military) axles: usually easy to spot because of the portal reduction at the wheel ends. The hubs look very different and ground clearance is noticeably higher.
If You Are Not 100% Sure
Send us two photos and we can confirm quickly:
- Photo 1: straight shot of the back of the differential housing.
- Photo 2: close-up of the pinion input and driveshaft flange.
- Optional: a wider shot showing the full axle left to right.
Sharp photos with good light are perfect. A phone picture is enough.