9" issues

[Viperwolf1]

Today I decided I would replace my worn rear outer axle bearings. Both sides came out easily and the splines looked good. Went down to Napa for seals and to get the bearings swapped. Came back home, put the new seals in along with the passenger side axle. It went right in. The driver's side axle however is a different story. I can get it started into the side gear splines and push it in only about 1/2". From the wear marks on the axle and distance the bearing sticks out it needs to go in about another 1/2". Re-indexing the splines did not help. I even took the longer pass side axle and tried it on the driver's side to see if it would go in the full 1". It wouldn't.

Is this indicative of a major problem with my Trac-lok? It hasn't been working as well as it used to lately. Should I just bite the bullet and use this as an opportunity to upgrade to a locker and some 31 spline axles? It just pisses me off that I bought the new bearings and then have diff problems.

On a positive note I did find a minor problem on one of the rear brakes and get it taken care of.

 

[Tito]

Did you check for some burrs on the splines? Rubber mallet persuasion?

 

[Viperwolf1]

No burrs or twists. Bearing area is clean too. Seal is all the way in. I gave it about 4 lbs of persuasion. It ain't going in.

 

[broncnaz]

The trac loc clutch hub is on the drivers side it may have turned a little whe the pass side axle was removed or installed. Might try getting a helper to turn the pass side axle while you hold the driverside and push in. I dont think anything is inheritly wrong with your trac lock other than normal wear as you stated its not working like it used to. You could check the breakaway torque anything less than 50 ft lbs(actually I think the book says 75 lbs.) is considered worn out. Might be time for a clutch kit and maybe a extra shim to tighten it up. I would also suggest putting in new thrust washers for the side and spider gears at the same time. I would also suggest getting a currie billet steel clutch cover.(trac locs are easy to beak I've broken one with 31in tires and to much gas pedal) but by that point you've spent about 1/2 of what a true locker would cost. so its up to you

 

[chris]

Jack the whole rear end up and turn both sides back and fourth and it should go in. Can be a bitch sometimes.

 

[bax]

Good info from Chris and Broncnaz. Your only problem is you have not got it YET.

You will

 

[DonsBolt]

I had a simmilar problem once

After not being able to get the splines to line up by just trying to turn the axle by hand.

I ended up snugging up the 4 bolts for the axle retainer, and then turning the axle. Then I snugged the 4 bolts a little bit more and turned the axle again. The little bit of pressure made all the difference, and allowed the splines to line up, and let the axle slip in.

Give it a try

 

[Viperwolf1]

Thanks for the help. It was just a matter of setting the other side down on the tire so it wouldn't turn.

 

[bax]

Man we are good!!!