Doing Ball Joint Have One Question

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Mar 13, 2019 | 03:49 PM

Walleye Hunter

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From: Douglassville, PA

Doing Ball Joint Have One Question

I'm finishing up ball joints and need to know about putting the axle back in. What does it take to get the axle back in through that inner seal? I don't want to push on it if it's just hitting that seal in there.

Thanks.

Mar 13, 2019 | 04:21 PM

derek0525

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Just push the axle in. It will just slide right in never had any problems when i have had my axles out. Yout axle tube outer seal kinda guides the axle back in.

Mar 13, 2019 | 05:12 PM

Fat Diesel

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From: Morgan Hill, CA

Put some grease on the end of the axle so it's got a little something to slide on rather than try to tear the seal.

Mar 13, 2019 | 10:32 PM

bigb56

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as the other's said and I will add that I am very gentle/careful to get the splines slid past the seal so as not to cut it.

Mar 14, 2019 | 08:22 AM

Walleye Hunter

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Thanks, it's already sitting in there so I hope I didn't damage that seal, I guess I'll find out soon enough. I'll get out there today and finish the install. Let us pray.

Mar 14, 2019 | 08:28 AM

bigb56

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You may see a few drips for a week or more if any gear oil got past the seal when it was open but it will eventually go away.

Mar 18, 2019 | 03:06 PM

Josh Ross

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From: Tennessee

My '99 had guides outboard of the inner seals (near the third member). They taper inward to ease installation of the axles. I doubt you did any harm.

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Mar 18, 2019 | 04:28 PM

Walleye Hunter

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From: Douglassville, PA

Thanks, it makes me feel better. It went together too easy if you know what I mean.

Mar 18, 2019 | 04:28 PM

#10

derek0525

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That protects inner seal from getting hit.

Mar 19, 2019 | 08:52 AM

#11

brian42

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From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walleye Hunter

Thanks, it makes me feel better. It went together too easy if you know what I mean.

Sometimes easy is just that...easy. I've had a couple of times where the axle slid in without any problem and I thought "what did I just do". I've had other times where I've given the axle a few smacks with a dead blow (with a 2x4 between the hammer and axle) to get it in far enough to put the hub on and tighten it down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek0525

That protects inner seal from getting hit.

Mine had those which gave me peace of mind. I don't think it came with all axles though. I would check in the housing with a flashlight to see if you have them in there.

Mar 19, 2019 | 11:09 AM

#12

papadave

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Clean out the axle tube . I ended up pushing debris back up into the seal causing a leak and had to do it all again. Happily Free of leaks now but ....

Mar 19, 2019 | 02:31 PM

#13

brian42

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From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by papadave

Clean out the axle tube . I ended up pushing debris back up into the seal causing a leak and had to do it all again. Happily Free of leaks now but ....

Good recommendation.

The old version of the dust seals end up coming apart in short order and my tubes had plenty of sand and dust from the desert. I taped a paintbrush to the end of a broom handle to clean them out.