i’m replacing both of my axles cuz they’re pretty torn up. i started on the passenger side and it went smoothly til i was putting the new one in. it goes in but not all the way, it feels like it’s caught up on something. is there some kinda trick i don’t know about? i don’t have a helms so i’m outta luck there. if anyone knows how i can fix this let me know asap, it looks as though i’m going to have to miss work a day or to for this! TIA
btw, what tricks do you use to get the nut off the end of the axle that holds the hub on, one came easily, the others being a bitch(impact not doing it’s job)
again, TIA
I found that when the new axle would not slip in all the way, it was the C-clip that was too loose … so I pried it off, and squeezed it a bit tighter in a vice, and then slipped it back on … worked like a charm (still takes some force to get it in tho).
As for the spindle nut, I loosened those first, with the wheels on … so the full weight of the car is on them … much easier to do. Having a 4’, 600lb-ft torque wrench helped too :D.
If the snap ring was new on the tranny side of tthe axle its just tight. They are supposed to be replace per the Helms manual.
What I do is, (with the lower ball joint and steering rack ball joint loose/ removed ) install the outside splines into the hub and hand tighten the axle nut. Take the knuckle assy free from the lower control arm and steering knuckle. Put the inside splines into the tranny and make sure that the splines go in an inch or so Then I grab both sides of the rotor and basicly hammer the axle into the tranny with the weight of the rotor and knuckle assy. It’s just a little awkward because the CV axle wants to move while you are doing it, you have to try and get the axle as straight as you can before you start to hammer. Works for me every time.