Can't get DS axle back in

[ptmacp]

What's a trick on getting the long side axle back into the diff? I've tried rotating both the PS wheel and the driveshaft but I can't get it to side home. Flat spots on the birf are north and south.

Pete in Pegram

 

[Riad]

You have to be very gentle and patient. Make sure, nothing's in its way, especially the ABS pin. You have to play a little bit with the inner shaft's teeth to sink in properly with the spider gear teeth inside the 3rd member. If you rush, it will pull your strings then you're gonna break some thing.

 

[Riad]

oops, didn't realize you have factory locker, I wouldn't know in that case but same pinciples should apply.

 

[Beowulf]

Pete,
Can you see the indexing ring? Use that to pivot the axle like a teeter-totter.
-B-

 

[ptmacp]

You have to be very gentle and patient. Make sure, nothing's in its way, especially the ABS pin. You have to play a little bit with the inner shaft's teeth to sink in properly with the spider gear teeth inside the 3rd member. If you rush, it will pull your strings then you're gonna break some thing.

Yeah, I've had my eye on my 15lb sledge all afternoon...

Pete

 

[ptmacp]

Pete,
Can you see the indexing ring? Use that to pivot the axle like a teeter-totter.
-B-

Yeah, like a drunken sailor in a whorehouse.

Should I concentrate more on adjusting the position of the the drive shaft or the passenger tire? What will cause the DS spider to rotate a smidge? I figure it's got to be a matter of the splines not meshing.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Ok, here's some awesome artwork to help you see what you're doing. Inside the axle housing is the indexing ring B is talking about. When you slide the shaft in, it's weight will cause it to sit at the bottom of the housing. So, levering gently downwards on the birf end, you can tip the opposite end of the axle shaft up and and slide it home.

I about slit my wrists the first time I did this with my 4Runner. Had to call a friend over and he coaxed it in. I called him the Birf Whisperer after that.

 

[Cattledog]

Did you lock the axle before taking it apart? I am not sure of the side, but the dog gear for the locker can drop making it very difficult to reinstall the axle shaft. Do a search on dog gear or look in the faq. I recall some one using a broom handle to realign the gear.

Good luck.

 

[RavenTai]

the locker is on the short side, US passenger side,

 

[IdahoDoug]

Excellent drawing. Don't rotate the PS tire, just get a feel for when you've used the indexing ring to get the inner end of the axle halfway between it's upper and lower movement limits and try to keep it there while rotating the axle shaft back and forth slightly while pressing it home. Takes some fiddling. Don't bang on anything lest you knock your indexing ring loose. Somewhere there's a heck of a thread on the fun and games that begin at that point (translation: your truck is down for days).

DougM

 

[stlcruiser]

Make sure your not trying to put the long axle into the short side. Don't ask me why I would think of that.

Steve
94' 160,000

 

[ptmacp]

Did you lock the axle before taking it apart? I am not sure of the side, but the dog gear for the locker can drop making it very difficult to reinstall the axle shaft. Do a search on dog gear or look in the faq. I recall some one using a broom handle to realign the gear.

Good luck.

I didn't lock it and that's the first thing Lance Williams at Ironpig asked when I called yesterday. Lesson learned.

The locker is on the other side, so I should be OK with the dog gear?

 

[tarbe]

Make sure your not trying to put the long axle into the short side. Don't ask me why I would think of that.

Steve
94' 160,000

 

[IdahoDoug]

Just to alleviate your concern. I did my 93 at home long before all these wet-behind-the-ears types had these fancy websites to tell you things like "lock the lockers first" and such. Mine turned out fine. Recently, I did the repack on my 97 also unlocked and it was fine. Just takes a little fiddling and jiggling. Have someone else gently take a crack at it, maybe??

DougM

 

[ptmacp]

Just to alleviate your concern. I did my 93 at home long before all these wet-behind-the-ears types had these fancy websites to tell you things like "lock the lockers first" and such. Mine turned out fine. Recently, I did the repack on my 97 also unlocked and it was fine. Just takes a little fiddling and jiggling. Have someone else gently take a crack at it, maybe??

DougM

Yeah, that's good advice. I was trying to get it back in without changing the seal since the local parts store sold me the wrong one and I had to get to work until I found the right one. Got the right one today, and tonight, bent it on intallation. Seems I scored the seat on removing the old one. I am hosed I fear.

Pete in Pegram

 

[ptmacp]

Thanks for the drawring and the encouragement. I have since created a new disaster.

 

[Romer]

Thanks for the drawring and the encouragement. I have since created a new disaster.

We learn more from the disastors than our successes. I know a hell a lot about putting a DUI Dizzy in a 2F Motor. I also learned what rod bearings were the same day.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I have since created a new disaster.

That's how we learn. That's how I came to be able to install a Lock-rite in the rear end of a 60 in under an hour, by my mistakes.

 

[Taz]

just remove the whole housing...tip up on end and she slides right in .

 

[Riley]

As someone up above mentioned, make sure the indexing ring has not become unseated and blocking the shaft. You should be able to see the ring with a flashlight (it also has 1 or 2 small holes on ring plus the large hole in the middle where the shaft passes through it).

If the indexing ring is in place, use it as a pivot point to get the axle to line up with the diff.

of course you're stuck until you've got a new seal. As you probably now know, buy a couple. They're cheap and easily messed up.