I'm about 90% done with replacing the DS half-axle on my 1993 Toyota P/U. After heating and banging the rusty suspension and drive components for the better part of 3 hours, I got everything loose and the old half-axle out. I had to cut the stabilizer bar attachment to the LCA, destroying the tie-rod end, and end-up breaking two of the four 12mm TCA bolts. I finally squeezed the old half-axle out and got the new one in (so I thought). I proceeded to bolt everything up after throwing a new rotor on and repacking the wheel bearings. ( I just bought the truck 3 months ago w/ 135k miles). I subsequently noticed that the half-axle does not appear to be fully seated in the spindle. The is a gap of approximately 1/8 in at the back of the spindle/rotor guard. I attempted to seat the 12mm gold bolt in the end of the spindle and use it to pry the half-shaft through the spindle...no luck. I tried rototating the axle back and forth....no luck.....I also tried raising and lowering the front IFS ...no luck....any ideas out there ?

Thanks,
Joe

 

SAS it so you don't have to go through that ordeal again.

 

sounds like you didn't put the snap ring back on

 

My truck lived the first part of it's life in Ohio - I can't imagine yours was more rusted than mine and I didn't have to go through ANYTHING like that.

x2 for the circlip/snapring (the bolt/washer is more like a "safety" - won't actually pull the axle in)

 

Which snap-ring...isn't there only one which is on the outboard side of the axle ?

"x2 for the circlip/snapring (the bolt/washer is more like a "safety" - won't actually pull the axle in)"

I don't have enough room to get the splined space and the circ clit back on the axle.....I was investigating that when I noticed that the axle was not fully seated to the backside of the spindle.


Any other ideas...t minus 30 minutes before everything comes apart...AGAIN

Joe

 

Sometimes, they are a bit of a pain to get in and seated correctly. I usually have to push the axle in from the backside while trying to work the clip down the splines into the groove.

 

So the secret was ensuring the outboard end of the axle was seated prior to raising the LCA....once I unbolted every thing and flexed the LCA down it slid right in and fully seated.

Thanks for all the recommendations !

Joe