Knuckle Rebuild - Snap Ring Groove (1 Viewer)

[TJ Vines]

Hello - for context I am a noob with a wrench. I repacked my wheel bearings with all new parts thanks to the kit from @cruiseroutfit which arrived very quickly. Got nearly all done with the help of @OTRAMM knuckle rebuild video. However, I can't get enough axle to come out of the drive flange for the snap ring to fully seat in it's groove. I lost daylight so couldn't continue but think it must be the hub not fully seated on the axle. Thought I'd ask the forum to see if there are any ideas before starting again after work tomorrow.

 

[voodu3]

On @OTRAMM video at 51:50 he uses a screwdriver to pull the end out to get the snap ring on. He also mentions that he puts the snap ring on before tightening down the drive hub. I hope this helps.

 

[Tedward]

You could screw a bolt in the end if it too and use that to pull her out. Forget what size but there are many like it on your wagon.

 

[Grench]

^^that.
If you've had bearing races out, though, you might have one not quite seated...

 

[Sonofaskipper]

M8, 1.25 pitch?

 

[TJ Vines]

^^that.
If you've had bearing races out, though, you might have one not quite seated...

This is what I was worried about. I used a screwdriver to get the splines as far forward as possible but it is 1mm still shy of exposing the whole snap ring groove. I did replace the races.

 

[TJ Vines]

^^that.
If you've had bearing races out, though, you might have one not quite seated...

Also I recently relocated to Omaha, would like to meet other local Mudders.

 

[Grench]

Also I recently relocated to Omaha, would like to meet other local Mudders.

Pop into Flatland Cruisers and introduce yourself if you haven't already!

Years ago we did the occasional get together. We should do that again.

If that birf won't pull far enough out to get the snap ring on, even when pulling it (gently) with a bolt stuck in the end of it... you might just be looking at disassembly and cleaning parts until you figure out what is, literally, holding it back.

When you say that the spline is not completely exposed - does this mean that it might look slightly cocked to one side or the other? This could be one of the smaller race not seated? I.e. the housing isn't quite straight due to one of the smaller bearing races being just a bit from seated?

 

[ZackR]

Pretty sure the bolt that holds the ABS speed sensor fits into the end of the axle, screw it in and pull by hand or with some pliers.

 

[TJ Vines]

Pop into Flatland Cruisers and introduce yourself if you haven't already!

Years ago we did the occasional get together. We should do that again.

If that birf won't pull far enough out to get the snap ring on, even when pulling it (gently) with a bolt stuck in the end of it... you might just be looking at disassembly and cleaning parts until you figure out what is, literally, holding it back.

When you say that the spline is not completely exposed - does this mean that it might look slightly cocked to one side or the other? This could be one of the smaller race not seated? I.e. the housing isn't quite straight due to one of the smaller bearing races being just a bit from seated?

Will do! The splines looked pretty straight and I got the other side done very easily. I ended up disassembling and noticed that the axle seal behind the inner wheel bearing sustained too much damage when I drove it in. The little metal spring that sits underneath it's lip was exposed and spinning around freely next to the inner bearing. I ordered up another and should be finished with the job tomorrow. Should always work carefully with those kinds of seals but I was losing light fast and got impatient. I'll also make sure the races are fully seated while the hub is clean again.

 

[bigredmachine]

M8, 1.25 pitch?

that is correct, just thread a bolt in by hand and pill on the head with a pair of pliers

 

[inkpot]

I'm thinking that a problem with the oil seal would NOT restricting travel outward limiting your ability to install the outer snap ring.

 

[TJ Vines]

I'm thinking that a problem with the oil seal would NOT restricting travel outward limiting your ability to install the outer snap ring.

Yeah I think this is where the issue was. I didn't drive in the oil seal as carefully as I should have thereby forcing a little spring that sits underneath it's lip to come free. It seems like that little spring held the inner bearing back just a bit from the seal, causing the 1mm difference I needed. At any rate, have a new seal coming tomorrow and learned a few lessons.

 

[Cruzerman]

Even if that wasn't you r issue, you lucked out and caught the damaged seal. No doubt it would have failed.

 

[TJ Vines]

Even if that wasn't you r issue, you lucked out and caught the damaged seal. No doubt it would have failed.

Exactly. Would have been ripped to shreds in there!

 

[TJ Vines]

Just reporting back. Received the new oil seal today. Went back in and made sure all races were completely seated and carefully installed oil seal with light taps around the rim as opposed to whaps with a seal driver. Buttoned it up without any further issues - snap ring groove was fully exposed.

Lessons learned: careful with seals, don't be afraid to give a good whap on things that need it, don't work impatiently when it's dark.

Good to be back in the 80 after 5 days, now without any bearing slop.