Pulling an axle?

Here is my front axle I waited 9+ months to get.



Overall its ok, but not impressed with a couple areas. Clown didn't realize the dust shields needed to go on first, so I get to pull the spindles. Meh. Another thing was he pressed in 2 types of upper ball joints - one side is a Moog (as usual, Moog wasn't smart enough to put the correct part in the correctly labeled box 2x in a row), so he put another brand in the other side. He didn't realize the second brand had a 90 degree zirc fitting, so it was pressed in almost too far ccw to get a zirc in the hole. Guy who was supposed to do this axle retired from Dana (40yrs) and does them in his sleep....but of course he had to have some surgery so this slug did them instead. Not impressed for the time and money involved, but for the area we are sentenced to live in, its as good as it gets.

Anyways.....I want to remove the 2 upper ball joints and replace them both with 90 zircs properly positioned so I can grease them from time to time. This FU will never be easier to correct than now.

Since my spindles are coming off, I believe I have to pull the axle to get the ball joint out? QUESTION: will that damage the new seal that was just put in?

Thanks.

The seal will be fine, just kind of give the shaft a little finesse and jiggle when you put it back in.

Kind of crappy you had to pay good money to have them done, now you are having to take them apart to do it the right way.

A little grease on the seal (going back in) help any?

Also....this is a corporate 10 bolt - does the diff cover have to come off to pull the axles? IIRC it doesn't, but not 100% sure.

THANKS Bucket!

The oil seal is all the way in the axle tube, next to the pumpkin. If you want to smear some lightweight grease on the end of the axle shaft before you stab it in, it won't hurt.

Try to use the outer stub axle to "lift" the inner end thru the seal as you install it?

bucket said:

The oil seal is all the way in the axle tube, next to the pumpkin. If you want to smear some lightweight grease on the end of the axle shaft before you stab it in, it won't hurt.

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Will the axle come out without pulling the diff cover?

idahovette said:

Try to use the outer stub axle to "lift" the inner end thru the seal as you install it?

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This sounds like a great idea.....that I dont quite follow.

Doppleganger said:

Will the axle come out without pulling the diff cover?




This sounds like a great idea.....that I dont quite follow.

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He’s saying to use the stub shaft to increase leverage to the splines can safely travel through the center rather than drag the lip.

Ok - wasn't sure if the seal came out with the axle or stayed in the tube.

Wish I had known that before sealing up the diff cover.

Thanks.

Waiting 9 months, paying $$$ and the work is done wrong that's bad. It feels there are more and more unreliable and bad shops out there. I try to do everything I can on my own. If I mess up I'm the only one to blame and at least it didn't cost me loads of money.

@Doppleganger you shouldn't have to pull the cover, the axle will slide out. The spindle is the part that holds the axle in place. Thanks @Frankenchevy for helping with the explanation..........now go wash your square!!!.......lol

ali_c20 said:

Waiting 9 months, paying $$$ and the work is done wrong that's bad. It feels there are more and more unreliable and bad shops out there. I try to do everything I can on my own. If I mess up I'm the only one to blame and at least it didn't cost me loads of money.

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I'm figuring out enough that if there's ever a 'next time' thats how it will be. I was told there were special tools, etc to install seals (something about they went in from inside to out?) and I never did one so I avoided it. I haven't painted a vehicle in 30 yrs but am going to do my truck for the same reasons. For what these body shops want and the average job I see coming out of them....I cant do any worse.

I did my axles and there is a special tool for the front axle seals.

https://torqueking.com/product/6648...ller-kit-for-1977-1991-gm-10-bolt-front-axle/

I made a DIY version of it with a threaded bar, some long nuts and round steel plates. Worked, no leaks.

Should the axles pull out without taking the knuckle off? The u-joints will not clear the opening....and I know I have seen guys pull broken axles on site when they needed to. Lower ball joint needs an 1-1/8 box wrench to get it loose - of course all I have a 1 and 1-1/4. Got a socket I could use if the axle would pull out.



Just wondering WTF the asshat that did these cobbled now. I am an enth degree from parting this thing out and walking away. A money pit and cobbed POS from the beginning, its at the point of just needing to leave.

Yes, the axle is supposed to come out before the knuckle is removed. The knuckle doesn't have clearance to be removed if the axle is still installed.

bucket said:

Yes, the axle is supposed to come out before the knuckle is removed. The knuckle doesn't have clearance to be removed if the axle is still installed.

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I have no idea then how to get it apart. I cant take another hit on this truck. Its gone.

Thanks.