Axle reinstallation.

[Toms63SSQB]

I'm beyond frustration with reinstalling my axles. They slide right into the spline but stop cold when they reach the O ring on the bearing. I have switched to a two O ring bearing and the axles just wont get past the first O ring. Any secrets or tricks of the trade to make this happen? I have done this before with no problem, something so simple....

 

[Don Jacks]

It sounds like the splines in your posi clucthes aren't lined up Tom.Is this situation on both sides of the car or just one side?

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Just make sure the opening on the axle tube is clean and smooth. I usually polish it up with 320 sand paper then apply a light coating of gear lube or grease on the o rings. They fit tight, so you may have to give it a whack, I use a plastic dead blow hammer. Others may have a different method. or as Don posted, the splines may not be lined up. He posted as I was typing.

 

[Toms63SSQB]

Splines are lined up as I was able to install the old axles and bearings all the way in. The new axles with the 2 groove O ring bearing goes in but stops right at the first O ring. Cannot get the bearing to slide into the race.
Would the temperature have anything to do with it? It is cool in the shop, 60°. Normal temp when I'm not working can be 30°.

 

[Junky]

Lay the old axle and bearing alongside of the new axle and bearing, and see if they are both the same length. It could be a manufacturing error. Don't force it, get a bigger hammer.

 

[Skip FIx]

Also see if the bearing is pressed on the same length as well as axle length.

 

[Toms63SSQB]

Still struggling with this. The bearing is on all the way. I actually took the O rings off and slid the axle in all the way, no problem. I reinstalled the O rings and the damn axle stops dead when the O ring touches the tube
The O ring it seems just doesnt want to compress into the tube. Going to pick up a new set of O rings this evening and give it another try tomorrow. Somehow this reminds me of Phil's double nut experience.....

 

[La Hot Rods]

Lube the O rings and take a block of wood set on the end of the axle then give it a good smack with a 64 oz hammer. If it cuts the O ring then the O ring is to big.

 

[Toms63SSQB]

Lube the O rings and take a block of wood set on the end of the axle then give it a good smack with a 64 oz hammer. If it cuts the O ring then the O ring is to big.

Tomorrow !

 

[b a king]

Spray silicone on bearing/o-ring

 

[oldskydog]

There were differences in the bearings for 55-56, 57, and 58-63, Not sure about 64 but the parts catalog should show. I assume you have the right bearing.

 

[1964SuperStocker]

Still struggling with this. The bearing is on all the way. I actually took the O rings off and slid the axle in all the way, no problem. I reinstalled the O rings and the damn axle stops dead when the O ring touches the tube
The O ring it seems just doesnt want to compress into the tube. Going to pick up a new set of O rings this evening and give it another try tomorrow. Somehow this reminds me of Phil's double nut experience.....

Its also possible the material the O ring is made of is the wrong stuff. The company selling the bearing may not have determined whether its the right rubber compound because it fits the bearing ok so good enough. Also, you don't happen to have that rubber O ring turned in on itself? Does the O ring have a flat side on it or is it completely round? I've run into all kinds of issues like this, you are on the right track though.

 

[32witha409]

Double check to see that the bearing bore has a generous and smooth lead in radius. Even polish it up and blend the corners.
Cold will raise the hardness of the orings as well to using a lower Durometer oring should help.

 

[55Brodie]

You're not gonna do too much blending on 60-64 Rockwell C through hardened steel.

 

[Toms63SSQB]

Ok everybody, got it done today. Bryan Fugate stopped in and said all you need is a bigger hammer and that's all it took. A 4×4×12" long and a couple of taps with a sledge hammer and the axles slid right in. Yahoo, but that is not the end of the story, to be continued. Thank you all for the advice and replies. I read everyone of them.

 

[32witha409]

You're not gonna do too much blending on 60-64 Rockwell C through hardened steel.

Bearing or axle housing? I'm referring to the bearing bore in the housing, and doubt it's 60-64RC. Likely 45-50 tops.

 

[55Brodie]

I was referring to the bearing bore as you stated.

 

[blkblk63ss]

Ok everybody, got it done today. Bryan Fugate stopped in and said all you need is a bigger hammer and that's all it took. A 4×4×12" long and a couple of taps with a sledge hammer and the axles slid right in. Yahoo, but that is not the end of the story, to be continued. Thank you all for the advice and replies. I read everyone of them.

You put long wheel studs in axles so you could double nut the wheels!!!

 

[Toms63SSQB]

The rest of the story. After we installed the axles I tightened down the axle flanges and installed the driveshaft all I had left was gear oil in the pumpkin. I have a small hand pump with a spout and pickup I started pumping gear oil and the tube on the hand pump popped off and slid right into the fill hole and to the bottom of the differential.
Aaaaaaaagh. So I removed the driveshaft, removed the nuts on the flanges, pulled the axles and removed the gear set far enough to reach in and get the 4" piece of tubing. Reinstalled the gear set, reinstalled the driveshaft, tore the O rings on the bearings so I had to order new O rings, now waiting for O rings to finish. Geez, life used to be so simple.

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

You're right Tom.....the Simple is all gone anymore. Seems like things are a fight from the start to the finish. I feel your pain.