Axle Shaft Not Going In

[spartacus216]

In my 2015 Jeep JKUR, I pulled the front axle shaft, came out easy, it has been out once before from the previous owner so there was no plastic guide rings. However, I went to put it back in and won't go back in easily. My question is, how much force can I use, such as slight taps with a hammer or do I need to angle it different? I looked into the empty shaft and its clear, all i can see are the gears. Should I rotate the other tire or something like that. What's the safest methods?

 

[WJCO]

In my 2015 Jeep JKUR, I pulled the front axle shaft, came out easy, it has been out once before from the previous owner so there was no plastic guide rings. However, I went to put it back in and won't go back in easily. My question is, how much force can I use, such as slight taps with a hammer or do I need to angle it different? I looked into the empty shaft and its clear, all i can see are the gears. Should I rotate the other tire or something like that. What's the safest methods?

How far is it sticking out? Splines look ok? Sometimes you have to lift it up to center it.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

In my 2015 Jeep JKUR, I pulled the front axle shaft, came out easy, it has been out once before from the previous owner so there was no plastic guide rings. However, I went to put it back in and won't go back in easily. My question is, how much force can I use, such as slight taps with a hammer or do I need to angle it different? I looked into the empty shaft and its clear, all i can see are the gears. Should I rotate the other tire or something like that. What's the safest methods?

You need to lift it up slightly to get it through the axle seal. If you don't and force it, you will unseat the seal pushing it inward. Once you get past the seal, you will have to rotate the shaft to line up the splines to full engage it.

 

[spartacus216]

How far is it sticking out? Splines look ok? Sometimes you have to lift it up to center it.

Splines look great. This is how far its sticking out now.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Splines look great. This is how far its sticking out now.

View attachment 434210

Yup, that's the point where you need to leverage the shaft up and more level to index the internal seal.

 

[spartacus216]

Yup, that's the point where you need to leverage the shaft up and more level to index the internal seal.

Thank you, it popped mostly in now! Just not all the way. Heres where im at now.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Thank you, it popped mostly in now! Just not all the way. Heres where im at now.

View attachment 434211

now push while turning the axle shaft to get the splines to slide in.

 

[wayoflife]

Did you check to make sure that the plastic shaft spacer ring didn't come off and is now blocking your shaft from going in?

EDIT : stupid me didn't read your whole post carefully before responding LOL

 

[spartacus216]

Did you check to make sure that the plastic shaft spacer ring didn't come off and is now blocking your shaft from going in?

EDIT : stupid me didn't read your whole post carefully before responding LOL

All good, never hurts to double check anyway. Which I did.

 

[Mike Pierson]

All good, never hurts to double check anyway. Which I did.

Also, in the future, make sure you lube up the splines section with fresh gear oil so it slides easily through the seal to avoid catching and damaging it.

 

[WJCO]

Also, in the future, make sure you lube up the splines section with fresh gear oil so it slides easily through the seal to avoid catching and damaging it.

I do that as well. I've always dreaded tearing one.

 

[spartacus216]

Also, in the future, make sure you lube up the splines section with fresh gear oil so it slides easily through the seal to avoid catching and damaging it.

I actually did that just didnt mention it but thank you. This is awesome advice for everyone. I just got it seated all the way in now. Thank you all for the help!!!

 

[jeeeep]

I actually did that just didnt mention it but thank you. This is awesome advice for everyone. I just got it seated all the way in now. Thank you all for the help!!!

never get the urge to tap or use more force, the lesson learned sucks.

 

[spartacus216]

never get the urge to tap or use more force, the lesson learned sucks.

Sounds like you've had a bad experience with it before

 

[spartacus216]

it turns nice and smoothly so I think I did it right.