Driver side axelshaft installation
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
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Ok here is something interesting, not sure what it means though, but when I just now reinstalled the shaft, again its hitting the studs, mainly the ones on the right hand side (ones towards the rear of the vehicle) so this time I stuck a pry bar through the little opening behind where the brake pads sit, and put some pressure on it to move the shaft foward (towards the front of the truck) and then I had free play, it was able to move in every direction without binding... what would this be? is there a bearing or something inside the differential that is maybe out of whack, or would it be the whole axle shaft it self that is bent? heck maybe it has nothing at all to do with it, but just a thought...
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Scrape the heavy build up of dirt off the outside of it as best you can working so you do not get more in it so you can handle it to put it back in, then just before you do flush it out with plenty of clean diesel fuel.
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Senior User
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Yes it always binds on the same spot - no matter how much I turn it, if I have someone else turn the main shaft while watching the spindle, it stays in the exact same spot and turns, it does not wobble as you would expect if the shaft it self was bent. I did check the actual studs them selves, and they are all in, I also checked the front side with a straight edge to ensure it was not warped at all, and nada.
The part that is throwing me off is when you say "That flat spot is supposed to be towards the inside of the hole like stated" What flat spot? Sorry been a long day so memory is really starting to fail! hah!
I am going to go snag the axle shaft and slap it in with the differential off, and take a look at whats going on internally... if anything major comes up ill post it, if not then tomorrow morning im going to clean the crap outta it, then slap it back on and see where that gets me, who knows maybe it is just a fluke install!!! *crosses fingers*
And thanks danr1, ill go snag a few gallons of diesel in the am and flush the crap outta it, maybe ill accidentally catch it on fire while im at it, good riddance, hah!
The part that is throwing me off is when you say "That flat spot is supposed to be towards the inside of the hole like stated" What flat spot? Sorry been a long day so memory is really starting to fail! hah!
I am going to go snag the axle shaft and slap it in with the differential off, and take a look at whats going on internally... if anything major comes up ill post it, if not then tomorrow morning im going to clean the crap outta it, then slap it back on and see where that gets me, who knows maybe it is just a fluke install!!! *crosses fingers*
And thanks danr1, ill go snag a few gallons of diesel in the am and flush the crap outta it, maybe ill accidentally catch it on fire while im at it, good riddance, hah!
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Senior User
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Ok heres a pic AND video of 2 points.. first the pic...
Pic shows how far in the shaft goes - is that correct? I noticed that the left shaft is touching that rod, yet the right side does not, is that normal?
Video is of me showing the play that is there, when the shaft is in, it has maybe 1/4 inch if that of free play, which is about the same as when I was prying on it with the bar... should it be super rigid or is some play allowable?
Also on the axle shaft, the nice smooth part right before the actual teeth on the rod, it is grooved in 2 spots, can't imagine it was designed as such, which may be why I have that play there? the part inside the differential that is smooth, right before the teeth, is still nice and smooth, just the shaft it self is grooved, maybe the differential was rebuilt before but the shaft was kept?? If this is something that has to be replaced, where the heck do I go about getting one of those? I have looked online but nada, junk yard??
Video link --- VIDEO ---
Pic:
Pic shows how far in the shaft goes - is that correct? I noticed that the left shaft is touching that rod, yet the right side does not, is that normal?
Video is of me showing the play that is there, when the shaft is in, it has maybe 1/4 inch if that of free play, which is about the same as when I was prying on it with the bar... should it be super rigid or is some play allowable?
Also on the axle shaft, the nice smooth part right before the actual teeth on the rod, it is grooved in 2 spots, can't imagine it was designed as such, which may be why I have that play there? the part inside the differential that is smooth, right before the teeth, is still nice and smooth, just the shaft it self is grooved, maybe the differential was rebuilt before but the shaft was kept?? If this is something that has to be replaced, where the heck do I go about getting one of those? I have looked online but nada, junk yard??
Video link --- VIDEO ---
Pic:
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Flat side of back side of studs,
I never paid any attention and it might not matter but the flat side of those may just be needed for clearance for the stub shafts dust shield. Might be cut for another reason to, just something to check to be sure. A PO may at some point replaced them not paying any attention to their orientation.
If so knock them back out, rotate them so the flat section is toward the center line and draw them back in. Use a couple flat washers and a nut to reseat them.
I never paid any attention and it might not matter but the flat side of those may just be needed for clearance for the stub shafts dust shield. Might be cut for another reason to, just something to check to be sure. A PO may at some point replaced them not paying any attention to their orientation.
If so knock them back out, rotate them so the flat section is toward the center line and draw them back in. Use a couple flat washers and a nut to reseat them.
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Senior User
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ohhhhhhh I gotcha - ok ill take a look and see - thanks!
*edit*
Well just went and took a look, the other side has the flat edges every whitcha way as well, BUT I will go ahead and whack them out and reseat them with the flat edges along the inside rim for extra clearance just incase, who knows, may get lucky!
*edit*
Well just went and took a look, the other side has the flat edges every whitcha way as well, BUT I will go ahead and whack them out and reseat them with the flat edges along the inside rim for extra clearance just incase, who knows, may get lucky!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
ohhhhhhh I gotcha - ok ill take a look and see - thanks!
*edit*
Well just went and took a look, the other side has the flat edges every whitcha way as well, BUT I will go ahead and whack them out and reseat them with the flat edges along the inside rim for extra clearance just incase, who knows, may get lucky!
*edit*
Well just went and took a look, the other side has the flat edges every whitcha way as well, BUT I will go ahead and whack them out and reseat them with the flat edges along the inside rim for extra clearance just incase, who knows, may get lucky!
You must have had the side gear on a bind, the old u joint must have caused it. When you used the bar to center it it popped it free back into place like it should be.
That is unless it still rotated off center after you did so?
Only problem with that theory, what I don't like about it, is the way the side gear fits in the carrier, it shouldn't or wouldn't allow it.....
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Heres the back side, you can see it is seated properly in the rear, looks exactly the same on the other side, even rotating the entire shaft there is never any play, ie gapping, but the spindle on the open side stays in the same position, cocked to the left, but rotates just as is...
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When I put the pressure on it and got it centered, if I released the pressure, then it went right back into the same position, off center...
Which led me to believe the shaft was bent, but problem with that theory is that if that was the case, then the whole shaft would wobble, which it doesn't, which leads me back to being the side gear, yet it looks perfect, granted im no expert, but looking straight down the hole, it is centered... blah!
Which led me to believe the shaft was bent, but problem with that theory is that if that was the case, then the whole shaft would wobble, which it doesn't, which leads me back to being the side gear, yet it looks perfect, granted im no expert, but looking straight down the hole, it is centered... blah!
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Is the axle shaft, that is touching the crosspin of the carrier, on the side that is giving you problems? If so that is fine. When you get your binding figured out and re-assemble everything it wont touch. It just touches now because there is nothing holding it in it's final posisition.
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Ok thanks for the clarification, I will for sure knock those out and reposition them first thing in the AM. Really hoping that all this tear down and reassembly will maybe fix it, without having to go too extreme and rebuild the blasted differential!!!
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Senior User
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Is the axle shaft, that is touching the crosspin of the carrier, on the side that is giving you problems? If so that is fine. When you get your binding figured out and re-assemble everything it wont touch. It just touches now because there is nothing holding it in it's final posisition.
No, its not the side giving me problem, the side giving me problem has the gap, the good side is what is touching the crosspin, or at least is so close it might as well be touching!
Pic for clarification:
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
When I put the pressure on it and got it centered, if I released the pressure, then it went right back into the same position, off center...
Which led me to believe the shaft was bent, but problem with that theory is that if that was the case, then the whole shaft would wobble, which it doesn't, which leads me back to being the side gear, yet it looks perfect, granted im no expert, but looking straight down the hole, it is centered... blah!
Which led me to believe the shaft was bent, but problem with that theory is that if that was the case, then the whole shaft would wobble, which it doesn't, which leads me back to being the side gear, yet it looks perfect, granted im no expert, but looking straight down the hole, it is centered... blah!
You may be able to tell something rolling it on a flat table, stub shaft off the edge of the table while doing so.
Something is not right there, if nothing is wrong with the diff it has to be the shaft.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
It touching the pinion shaft on the passenger side is normal, that is what holds the "C" clip in place, the C clip holds the stub shaft in place.