Author Topic: NEED HELP!!! I think I bent my front axle housing...can't get the axle to go in (Read 5886 times)

Scarface06 · « **on:** Sep 28, 2009, 08:21:47 PM »

I'm in the process of putting in some new Marfields. Got the drivers side done and now moving to the passenger. However, I can not get the inner axle to engage in the differental splines. I've spent about 3 or more hours working on it.

It seems that the axle shaft is just a little low. I've tried prying up on it with a screw driver from the knuckle side but that didn't work. It's not a problem of simply lining up the splines by rotating the driveshaft. I'm really stuck here and not sure if I'm supposed to get another housing or what???

drayday55 · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 10:05:43 PM »

if its hangin up on the bell, most likely it is bent min was, i got a new housing and it slid in

axled89 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 10:42:43 PM »

that suck's bro. check out one of the new housings by diamond. they might be a couple $$$ tho.

Scarface06 · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 05:36:14 AM »

The inner axle will go in by itself and the burfield will go in by itself. When I put the 2 together is when I have the problem of hanging up at the inner gear spline.....is there a way to repair it?

P-DiseToy24 · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 10:04:34 AM »

I hate bending housing so much work just to have the same thing you stared with.

YotaChris · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 10:34:33 AM »

This happened to me when i was putting in my longs. What i did was wrapped a chain around both outsides of the axle as close to the knuckle as possible and hooked the chain back to itself. Then I placed a floor jack inbetween the drooping part of the chain and the housing and when I jacked the jack up it pulled down on the outsides of the axle and straightened it enough to get my long in.. I'll try drawing you a diagram since this probally isn't wxplained too clearly..

BUDDERS · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 10:43:30 AM »

YotaChris, I understand how you bent yours back, but what is going to keep it from bending again?

YotaChris · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 10:49:48 AM »

here's a quick diagram. It's probably not the best or safest way but it works..

Quote from: BUDDERS on Sep 29, 2009, 10:43:30 AM

YotaChris, I understand how you bent yours back, but what is going to keep it from bending again?

lol that's a good question! Well, once you have it straightened there are a few ways to gusset the knuckles and axle. I personally was lazy and just left mine un gusseted and haven't had any problems yet but I probably will be gusseting it soon..

axled89 · « **Reply #8 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 01:58:35 PM »

WOW!!

BUDDERS · « **Reply #9 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 02:01:27 PM »

I have Marlin's knuckle ball gusset and top gusset on mine so hopefully mine won't end up bending

axled89 · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 02:04:42 PM »

get it staighten out and put the proper armor on it. seems to me you already need it.

Scarface06 · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 02:13:08 PM »

I got it figured out....have you ever been so dumb about something that you need to just stand there while somebody punches you in the face....As of right now that's me. I don't know how it happened, but the very ends of the splines (about 1/32, and only half way around) got messed up. It would had to have happened in the axle before I pulled them out. When I had them out I was very careful not to drop or beat them on anything. With that problem being so small it was just enough to keep the splines from engaging.

Put in a different inside axle, no problems....

BUDDERS · « **Reply #12 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 02:52:49 PM »

Cool, sure beats replacing the housing. How did you get it out of the diff to begin with?

YotaChris · « **Reply #13 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 04:01:29 PM »

Nice! Glad to hear you've got it all figured out! $Beer Chug\'n$

Scarface06 · « **Reply #14 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 07:16:11 PM »

Quote from: BUDDERS on Sep 29, 2009, 02:52:49 PM

Cool, sure beats replacing the housing. How did you get it out of the diff to begin with?

It just pulled right out like it should

potter85 · « **Reply #15 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 07:19:43 PM »

i had the same problem. all i did was took a triangular file and opened the splines on just the very end of the shaft and it slid right on in

Scarface06 · « **Reply #16 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 07:20:09 PM »

I think it would be a good idea to go ahead and add the ball gusset's. Will I have to take the knuckles off to do this. I've already go them on and ready to mount the wheels and I won't be taking back apart any time soon just to do it. I would be consered about messing up the wipers and gasket.

axled89 · « **Reply #17 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 11:38:42 PM »

no man you don't they just glue on to the out side of the axle and the ball with a little wood glue.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #18 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 12:10:27 AM »

Quote from: Scarface06 on Sep 29, 2009, 07:20:09 PM

I think it would be a good idea to go ahead and add the ball gusset's. Will I have to take the knuckles off to do this. I've already go them on and ready to mount the wheels and I won't be taking back apart any time soon just to do it. I would be consered about messing up the wipers and gasket.

the felt and rubber ring should be takin off, but you could probable do it with them on.
the inner seal should probable come off too, but its your call.

82juguete · « **Reply #19 on:** Oct 04, 2009, 12:57:54 AM »

Quote from: YotaChris on Sep 29, 2009, 10:49:48 AM

here's a quick diagram. It's probably not the best or safest way but it works..

lol that's a good question! Well, once you have it straightened there are a few ways to gusset the knuckles and axle. I personally was lazy and just left mine un gusseted and haven't had any problems yet but I probably will be gusseting it soon..

I fixed my old axle this way, slowly heated the bent area as i pumped the jack. It is sketchy as hell but it did the trick. I actually bent it a tiny bit past straight, welded knuckle ball gussets and some bracing on it while it was still under stress, and let the whole thing cool slowly while still chained up. After, both shafts slid right in. Time will tell if it stays straight but im hopeful

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