Front axle install RESOLVED

[mk2davis]

Is there a trick to getting the front axles to click in place? She's getting dangerously close to running, and while all the bolts on the wheel side line up, the passenger side at least (haven't started on the driver's yet) still seems to slide left and right if I unbolt everything on the wheel side. Maybe tightened down, things just slide into place?

TIA

 

[thomcasey]

Check the clip on the transmission end of te axle. Make sure it isn't too snug or too loose

 

[mk2davis]

Seriously though, these axles are kicking my buttock. The clip looks appropriately loose. Do I need to separate the brake from the ball joint to slam the axle home? The splines are engaging, but the axles looks to still need to go in another half in or so.

 

[thomcasey]

I would remove the caliper/bracket and disconnect the strut. Then you can lock it in.

 

[FlyingEagle]

Yeah, they can take a decent bit of work to get them to click in with one decent push from a straight on angle.

It can help to use a chemical that is auto trans/diff fluid compatible and will break down or not dilute in a bad way, to put under the
clip, to keep it centered on the axle so the part that would otherwise be sagging below the splines due to gravity, isn't in the way during the push.

Hope that helps.

I use dielectric grease sparingly but there are trans gel products that are auto fluid compatible, not sure about compatibility with diff fluids.
A quick internet search should yield some results.

 

[mk2davis]

Passenger side is in! I had to pull the strut off, center the locking room with grease, and the axle slid right in once it got straight.

 

[FlyingEagle]

... ^^^ and that is what I was hoping to hear!