80 series axel rebuild question ring beyond inner axel seal what is it?

[slim]

hello fellow mudders i have recently torn apart my front axel because of a broken birf i pulled it right down to the knuckle i have removed the inner axel seal and i read on i h8mud to be aware of a spring that is beyond inner axel seal to make shure that it is not lost in the axel housing tube. well i did not see any spring but what i did see was something that looked like a oil seal laying on its side it is too big to come out. this thing i thought might have been a seal has no rubber on the inner circumference i need to know if this is from the differential side or if it fits in behind inner axel seal i have not found any mention of it in the service manual or on any break down threads on i h8mud please help its way to nice out to not be cruising

 

[Beowulf]

That is an indexing ring. The purpose is to enable you to use the ring as a fulcrum while positioning the axle shaft back into the diff.

It sounds like yours has become dislodged. You will need to get it repositioned for installing the axle shaft. There have been a couple of members that have had to reposition this indexing ring. Riley is one that comes to mind when he and Simon (semlin) did the birf service many years ago. There was at least one other thread discussing the same problem and many solutions were suggested. You should be able to search the archives here in the 80-Section and find those prior threads. Let us know if you need assistance using the forum SEARCH function.

The "spring" that you describe should be part of the inner axle tube seal. You misinterpreted the posts discussing this spring. It should NOT be outside of the seal. In fact, you should put some grease on the seal to help keep that spring from popping out during the installation.

-B-

 

[TCH2FLY]

x2 Index ring.

The only way to take it out or try to reinstall is to pull the diff. Since it is still in the housing you may be able to use a slide hammer to pull it back in place.

With it missing it is tough to reinstall the axle ... especially the long side (ask me how I know )

 

[semlin]

x2 Index ring.

The only way to take it out or try to reinstall is to pull the diff. Since it is still in the housing you may be able to use a slide hammer to pull it back in place.

With it missing it is tough to reinstall the axle ... especially the long side (ask me how I know )

that is not correct. you can booty fab a tool to press the index ring back into position from the axle hole. there is a thread about how riley and i did it. i do agree it is impossible to reinstall the long side axle without it.

 

[TCH2FLY]

Yeah, bad info on my part, it was based on a discussion I had about mine.

In my case it was loose on the axle and when I pull out the shaft it fell off and I found it in the bottom of the diff.

i do agree it is impossible to reinstall the long side axle without it.

No but impossible without something to pivot on.
Mine is still missing and I fabbed a tool that inserts through the brakeline bolt hole on top of the housing. It allows me to pivot off that.

 

[semlin]

can you describe that tool? i have to redo my birfs soon and fully expect the index ring will be loose on the axle shaft again and might have been eaten by the diff this time. it might be very useful.

if it falls onto the diff floor, you can retrieve it and position it with wire before introducing a booty fab tool to press it into position.

 

[scottm]

I remember that thread, good puzzler, lots of suggestions. I think I suggested using a block of wax to hold it upright, it would melt in the diff and cause no problems. Or a piece of dry ice would work well, or freeze a block of diff fluid in liquid nitrogen.

If you can reach in and rotate it upright, you should be alright.

No but impossible without something to pivot on.

Unless you tip the truck on it's side...

Didn't someone suggest opening the diff and reaching in to locate the axle as it entered the diff?

 

[TCH2FLY]

can you describe that tool? i have to redo my birfs soon and fully expect the index ring will be loose on the axle shaft again and might have been eaten by the diff this time. it might be very useful.

if it falls onto the diff floor, you can retrieve it and position it with wire before introducing a booty fab tool to press it into position.

Here it is, a piece of heavy steel wire (1/8" ?) bent in an "L". Before you pull the shaft. remove the bolt on the brake line and drop it in the opening. Position it under the axle and pull up until tight. Then I clamp the vise grips and remove the axle. When it goes back together you can pivot off the wire.

 

[semlin]

Here it is, a piece of heavy steel wire (1/8" ?) bent in an "L". Before you pull the shaft. remove the bolt on the brake line and drop it in the opening. Position it under the axle and pull up until tight. Then I clamp the vise grips and remove the axle. When it goes back together you can pivot off the wire.

nice and simple. thanks