96, AT. I removed the old driver-side axle (took a good amount of effort with a prybar), and trying to get the new one in. Problem is, it won't slide all the way in. I went at it with a rubber mallet from the far end (where it goes into the wheel hub), also tried hammering with an extension up against the inner CV boot (against the outer metal part). I don't know how much pressure I can hit it with to try and get in it before I break a CV joint. Just for kicks, I tried removing the "cir-clip" at the end, still no luck. Any advice/other things to try? Thank you!

 

Anyone got any ideas? Max is just hangin' out on jackstands.
Also, the new axle has a very tight outer join- should be it be as easily flexed as the inner joint?

 

Does the inner spline shaft look exactly the same on the new one as the old one?

If so use some force and it will pop in. Put the nut on by hand, then put a piece of wood up against the nut and hit it hard with a large hammer. The nut and wood will protect the threads on the end of the axel. It should just pop right in.

 

I did a side-by-side comparison of the two axles, but didn't check the inner splines specifically. I'm assuming they're the same, as its about an inch and a half from being all the way in, and that it probably woudln't have made it that far otherwise. But I'll pop it out and check! I'll try with the wood black also. I probably won't be able to get to it until tomorrow evening. I'll keep the thread posted. Thanks!

 

an inch and a half is probably about the length of the inner splines if I remember correctly. I'd take it out and compare to the other one. Count the splines on both. You probably got one for LSD or a manual or something.

 

I had the same problem when I did mine. How much does it stick out? Are you sure that the teeth are lining up properly against the inside of the tranny? Rotate it as you push it in and let it go in as far as it will go. Then screw the 36mm bolt back onto the hub and it will push the remainder of the axle into the transmission. Worked for me on both the driver and passenger side. I have a 95 SE 5-spd btw (not LSD).

 

I'll defintiely be taking it out and counting splines. Don't know if I can get to it tonight.

Speedemn- by measuring the space left betwen the tranny and the solid portion of the axle, using fingers, I'm thinking 1.4 inches. My method of thinking that the teeth are lined up with the tranny is that when I twist the axle, I hear the knock of a "locked gear trying to turn" inside the tranny, if that makes sense. I rotated a bit as I pushed it in.
If knocking the heck out of it doesn't work, I'll try forcing it in by tightening the 36mm bolt. I'll need to disconnect the steering arm joint to get the clearance to stick the end of the axle back into the hub...

 

Yep I know exactly what you mean - makes perfect sense. I had about a 1.5" gap as well, on one side when I did mine and do what I suggested and it will go in perfectly.

 

OK. The old and new axle ends have the same number of splines and are identical. Still no luck. If the circlip doesn't help seal and only helps hold it in place, does anyone think it will be a problem to install WITHOUT the clip? There will be a little more horizontal play of the shaft in the tranny, but probably not significantly more. Can't think of antoher reason to not try it.

 

^^^bump^^^