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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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

 

That protects inner seal from getting hit.

 

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.

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.

 

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.