Topic: 83' front axle install question

[David]

I'm doing a rebuild on the front end of my 83' 1/2 ton. It was tough getting the axles out of the housing. Placed the 'flat' on the birfields in the up position, worked for a while and got them out. Now trying to put them back is even more of a chore.
Placing the 'flat' on top and sliding them in, I can feel the spline engage the diff but it stops short of going all the way in the housing. The birfield is at the far outside edge of the housing (where the spindel bolts on) and won't go any further in.
I could sure use some advice or secret trick to make this a tad less stressful.  Thank you.

[MiniSimp]

...or secret trick

Turn the pinion at the same time you are pushing in the axle. Works perfect.

[DTB]

sounds like you are doing it correctly....the pinion usually has to be turned by hand (a helper may be handy) to get the splines to fully engage...

hopefully your housing isnt bent....thats what it sounds like to me if you had a hard time pulling them out

[MiniSimp]

sounds like you are doing it correctly....the pinion usually has to be turned by hand (a helper may be handy) to get the splines to fully engage...

hopefully your housing isnt bent....thats what it sounds like to me if you had a hard time pulling them out

Beat ya!

[DTB]

Damn it  always one step ahead of me....11 seconds too late

[David [OP]]

By hard I mean: the drivers side was, I had to move the axle back and forth some, jiggle, wiggle up and down and finally it released it grip on life and came out. All this was done without moving or turning the pinion.
Are there measurements I can take to determine if indeed it is bent or is this a shop thing? .
I'll try moving the pinion going back in and hopefully it will go back easier. Thanks for the advice on that.

[DTB]

By hard I mean: the drivers side was, I had to move the axle back and forth some, jiggle, wiggle up and down and finally it released it grip on life and came out. All this was done without moving or turning the pinion.

OK that sounds normal then.......the splines are sometimes held in a bit by suction from grease or oil...normal

[79coyotefrg]

By hard I mean: the drivers side was, I had to move the axle back and forth some, jiggle, wiggle up and down and finally it released it grip on life and came out. All this was done without moving or turning the pinion.
Are there measurements I can take to determine if indeed it is bent or is this a shop thing? .
I'll try moving the pinion going back in and hopefully it will go back easier. Thanks for the advice on that.

if you can get the birf into the housing completely  then its not bent  too bad  ,  if  it wont go in  then  its bent

sounds  like im being a   but thats  really  how its measured

[David [OP]]

"sounds  like im being a   but thats  really  how its measured"
I don't think that at all, I really appriciate all the help.

Well the axles are in and the hubs are installed. Turns out that rotating the pinion was the key, they slid right in with very little effort. It's Corona time!!
Installed a new Marlin tie rod and ends. What a difference in size and quality, thank you Marlin!
This is a great forum, very good info and friendly, helpful people. This old scout thanks you one and all. 

[79coyotefrg]

to Marlin,  where ya from

[David [OP]]

N.Calif in the coastal mountain range.