Problems reinstalling rear axle

[jcwalsh1]

Hello all,

I replaced the axle seal last week and have been having a F#@*ing time getting the axle back into the housing. I did have a new bearing pressed on the axle.

The Axle slides into the rear and I can feel it slide into the the 3rd member. It seems to stop aginst something well before the bearing slides into the axle. The bearing is not hitting because I can spin it by hand. When I spin the axle the drive shaft and opposite tire both spin.

Any ideas?

 

[Mark]

I had this problem. Don't use force.
You replaced just one seal? You didn't pull the other axle? I ask, because they are different lengths.
I pulled mine out, clocked it a few degrees reinserted it, still caught on something. I repeated this for a few times, then, for some unknown reason, slid all the way in.
Had this happen to me twice.

 

[jcwalsh1]

I was planning on replacing both sides, but need to get this side back in to turn the bronco around in the garage for the other side.

So no I just pulled this one axle.

I have tried rotating the axle and reinserting, but gave up after a few tries.

Thanks

 

[bobbyray27]

Some of the new bearing dont require a new seal. My axel that I bought from wild horses require that you remove the seals dont replace them.

 

[Apogee]

How hard did the axle come out? If the splines are twisted, you should replace the axle. If the splines are straight, take a good look at the lead-in of the splines and using an appropriate file, clean up any burrs that may exist.