So I tackled my ball joints today for the first time. I followed the write up from superdutypsd.com and ran into a little snag when I tried putting the snap ring on the driver side axle behind the hub. When all three spacers are installed, the groove for the snap ring is now under the spacers. I replaced the inner dust shield( the one that always falls out), and the inner seal. I made the diy axle seal driver and the seal is seated all the way. Everything went back together without a hitch. I tried lightly prying on the axle yoke behind the hub, but it didn’t budge. For now, I put the snap ring on as far as I could and buttoned everything up. I took it for a test drive tonight, but it was too late to get back in there to see if the axle moved out at all. Tomorrow I will check it. Has anyone ever had this issue before?

 

I don’t have the mechanical skills to answer your question, but generally if something’s not fitting correctly or is the wring part if it doesn’t fit all the way in like it should. General life experience tells me that taking a break and looking at it again the next day with fresh eyes may work.

I personally wouldn’t drive it with everything not securely back together

 

I just swapped hub bearings the other day and know what you mean. You are on the right track just have to pry a little harder and make sure you are pulling the knuckle up flat and not cocked. Just double check that the hub is bolted up flush to the knuckle flange all the way around. Pry against the rear of the yoke and knuckle not in the u joint area. Don't kill it though just firm pressure. When I did mine I put the pry bar in place and kept pressure on it with my foot while I put the snap ring in with the pliers. With the pressure still on tap on the end of the snap ring with a flat head or flat punch to insure its in the groove. Good Luck

 

I would check and see if you have the vacuum seal on the axle all way.

I just did my frt axle on my 2000 Ex, I have the OTC tool that installs the seal onto the axle and then it’s used to install the axle with seal into the knuckle and sets it to the correct depth.
I can see if the vacuum seal is not on to the correct depth it would hold the axle out a bit and not allow the snap ring to be installed.

 

This is should take care of you. It is a tight fit. But push it in with a long screw driver and listen to confirm the snap.

 

Thank you guys for the responses. I will give it another try today after the Father’s Day events. Happy Father’s Day to all

 

Prying on the axle worked. Thank you very much for all the responses. This is what makes the FTE family great.