Installing Inner Axles-Hose clamp idea fail

[Peters Moose]

Quick question.... I am prepping the front end components to have as much ready to go before I complete my mini truck/disc brake swap on my 1969 FJ55.

Having a tuff time getting the inner ring to slide into the birf. I have tried the hose clamp method several times however this is not possible as the clamp itself makes contact with the inner birf housing long before the ring and it's groove can get past the splines. Also-the hose clamp idea fails to fully compress the ring as you can see by the pics.
Is this an issue with most axle/disc brake swaps?? If so i have not heard of it.
Any ideas would be great if there is any previous mods done on early cruisers.

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

 

[PabloCruise]

I have never separated birfs and inners, but would a nylon zip-tie work?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Good time to do a MAR-TACK if you have a welder

 

[Peters Moose]

I have never separated birfs and inners, but would a nylon zip-tie work?

Thanks for the quick reply PC.
Yes I actually tried that too except I was unable to get enough purchase on the nylon clamp for it to fully compress the ring evenly.

Because the clamp seems to get in the way, it's difficult to get the splines to initially line up. Even if the clamp is at the very-very edge of the ring, (exposing as much of the splines as possible) its a total guess if the splines match up. Here's what happens if they don't. Going to be a lot of grinding and file work before this gets assembled.

 

[Peters Moose]

Thanks LCPhil:
Mine is a little different set up in that there is a fat cir clip that stops the axle from going to far into the joint. This problem is at the outer end of the inner axle where it goes into the birf. Unless the weld is meant to stop the axle from floating too far into the diff gears, that may be a good idea. But have been often told to keep the splines in perfect condition.
Thanks again and will take a look at that.

 

[mudlva]

this is how i do it, unfortunately i have done lots so ive got rather good at it now
find a steel pipe that the axle fits into ssnugly
place pipe into vice in upright position
slide axle into pipe with ring in groove, ensure that all splines are in mint condition, if not file to suit
use a solid piece of timber to support the axle so the the seal seat and spline are clear of the pipe, and that the spline is at a good working height
place cv over axle pressing gently so the splines slide down to locate onto the ring
with a little pressure downwards and using a screw driver push the ring so it is nice and evenly loaded
this is shy its in a pipe so you can turn the axle cv unit to fully inspect the seating of the ring
use the leather end of your copper hammer and a good solid hit and the cv will slide down past the ring
notes
if the spline is not in good smooth order keep filing
the cv should slide down the axle with the ring removed with just a little amount of resistance

 

[Peters Moose]

this is how i do it, unfortunately i have done lots so ive got rather good at it now
find a steel pipe that the axle fits into snugly
place pipe..... order keep filing
the cv should slide down the axle with the ring removed with just a little amount of resistance

Thanks all for the ideas... Finally got both short/long side into place.
Ended up laying everything on the bench and with a lot of hammer taps and a larger blade screwdriver, was able to maneuver the ring into position all the way around. (That and a fair bit of creative english to coax that $#%#&$%# ring into the grove)

Don't see how the hose clamp idea can work because it hits the guts of the assembly long before the groove hits the splines. If it's an internet hoax thing, then that's on me for falling for it!!

Thanks again for all the great reply's. Now back to the front end!

 

[lowtideride]

Hose clamp and a brass hammer normally do the trick for me. Glad ya got it.

 

[nuclearlemon]

some hose clamps have a wider band so the mechanism is back a bit.

i've stood the birf in a vice, place the axle in and let it gravity feed while i work the clip with a small screwdriver

 

[Peters Moose]

Thanks Nuclearemon: That's pretty much what I ended up doing except I did with the axle on the bench and gently tapping in as I worked the clip in. Your way is best I think as it is also the method in the Toyota FSM.
Thanks for the reply!