Hi all,
I am replacing my front axle shaft passenger side with a new one from Napa. 2001 XJ. The old one had to be replaced because it had bent ears.

Here is my problem. When I put the old axle shaft in, it usually goes in *almost* all the way in (about 1/2 inch short of where it needs to be). Then when I put the wheel bearing on the stub shaft, the entire axle shaft clunks into place and goes to its fully-seated position.

Now, when I do this with the new axle, the new axle goes *almost* all the way in (just like the old one), but when I put the wheel bearing on, I can't get it to go the rest of the way in.

I'm about 1/2 inch shy of being able to seat the wheel bearing inside the knuckle.

I tried to turn the steering wheel--no luck.

I used a light amount of pressure to slide it in. I am wondering if I could put a 2x4 on the back of the wheel bearing and lightly tap it in with a hammer?

Please help. I need to get this in today if possible.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Have you checked the new one against the old one for length? Are there any differences between the two parts?

 

they probably screwed up and ordered one for a grand cherokee. the parts guys don't know there's a difference.

the main shaft is most likely the same, but the difference would likely be in the stub shaft. look closely.

 

The length of both shafts (old and new) are identical.

I can get the wheel bearing onto the new stub shaft all the way (so the stub shafts are exactly the same too).

The problem is that I can't get the whole axle shaft assembly pushed in that last 1/2 inch or so. It sticks out so far I couldn't even get the 3 12pt bolts to touch the edge of the wheel bearing.

I read somewhere that inside the diff, there are basically 3 rings that the shaft needs to go through to seat all the way. I can definitely feel the new shaft going through the initial ring...it just won't go in further.

Now, I am not pushing too hard because I'm afraid of messing it up. But I wonder if I am babying this new shaft and just need to push a little harder?

 

That was the next direction... But usually only if you have a limited slip or locker up there. You may have to get someone to turn or hold the other side to turn and align the spines into the rings. Used to have issues with Ford limited slip 9 inch diffs the same way.

 

I am embarrassed to ask this, but how do I know if I have a limited slip or locker? This is a stock 2001 xj 4wd, with no mods.

 

Actually I don't think it should have as a rule? And if it doesn't then I wouldn't think it has more than just a spider gear in there and wouldn't have multiple rings to spine. Turn, wiggle and push.

 

Good news.

I got it in. I think it was a tighter fit because it was a new axle shaft, but I just tapped with a 3lb hammer on the wheel hub (used a 2x4 on the outside) and it started to go in slowly.

I panicked for a second and thought I was forcing it in the wrong way, so I pulled it back out all the way and looked at the teeth (splines?) on the shaft. They looked good, so I put it back in and tapped away again and it started to slide right into place.

Just took her out for a test drive and all is good.

Thanks to all for your help. For anyone who runs into this problem again, I would encourage light tapping to nudge the shaft into place.

Cheers.