swathdiver
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Saw a small amount of fluid in the axle tube when we replaced a seal before. As the diff spins, the fluid expands and more gear oil makes its way into the tubes.
A leak on the parking brake passenger side
- Thread starter watuzi
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Saw a small amount of fluid in the axle tube when we replaced a seal before. As the diff spins, the fluid expands and more gear oil makes its way into the tubes.
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watuzi
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HELP! I messed up big time.
I was getting very frustrated with removing the c-clips. I don't know how you guys did it, but I was struggling for hours. I spun the passenger side axle a little bit, thinking it would help. But the two spiders gears got REMOVED from the differential. How do I put back the two ring gears? I need help ASAP guys, thanks.
I was getting very frustrated with removing the c-clips. I don't know how you guys did it, but I was struggling for hours. I spun the passenger side axle a little bit, thinking it would help. But the two spiders gears got REMOVED from the differential. How do I put back the two ring gears? I need help ASAP guys, thanks.
PMd my number call me
CountryBoy19
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I can't help with the spider gears but I'll respond to this for future information of others. It's likely the seals have a groove worn in the axle. The seal pulls the axle back into place. You have to forcefully push the axle in and hold it. I used a ratchet strap hooked on something (trailing arm maybe?) To pull and hold the axle in. And just to give you an idea of how hard the seals can hold it, after removing the c-clips I tried everything to get the axle out. I was sure I had missed a step and was going to damage something. Finally I said screw it (didn't care if I damaged anything), I grabbed the hub with both hands, put both feet on the axle assembly wherever I could get a perch and I pulled with all my might... and wiggled a little. It popped free and I nearly popped some teeth out with wheel studs.
The spider gears on the center pin can fall out while fidgeting with getting the axle c clips out. They need to be clocked exactly across from each other and rotated back into place and lined up to re-insert the center pin.
Did the new seal you installed work ok with the grooved axle shaft?
swathdiver
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I feel for you man. I moved my center chunk too much before removing the pin and spent hours trying to get everything lined up again right so the c-clips would come out and then go back in. We also had to push and pull on the axles to get the clips in and out. Thirteen hours my daughter and I were under there learning the hard way.
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watuzi
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This Youtube video helped a lot, I wish it had better lighting though when the technician showed how to put in the spider gears. I suggest watching the video first. You can't put BOTH spider gears at the same time because the other two bigger gears spin in opposite direction.
Basically, here is what I did. The first one is super easy to put in. You should put that first spider gear on the top. Once you have one spider gear aligned up with the hole, move it forward almost to the point that it will drop, but not quite yet. While holding the top gear to prevent it from falling, put the second gear on the bottom, move it forward, which will make the top gear move back. You know you got it when the all the holes line up. You will have to experiment and fiddle with it for sure. It's really hard to explain, but the youtube video explains it a lot better than I even can.
But I still can't get the goddamn c-clips off!
I give up, I'm bringing some help.
swathdiver
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You probably need like a 1/4 mm more space to get the c-clips out right? Have someone push in on the axle with all their might, maybe even use a prybar dug into the ground or something for leverage. You just need to move it a hair to get the clip out.
The real world is under a truck on your back in the driveway. He is spinning both axles to line the gears up. You can have a helper just spin one side and the gears will counter rotate into place. Really sucks this is giving you such a hard time. Maybe your parking brake shoes are in the way not givin you enough clearance?
This Youtube video helped a lot, I wish it had better lighting though when the technician showed how to put in the spider gears. I suggest watching the video first. You can't put BOTH spider gears at the same time because the other two bigger gears spin in opposite direction.
Basically, here is what I did. The first one is super easy to put in. You should put that first spider gear on the top. Once you have one spider gear aligned up with the hole, move it forward almost to the point that it will drop, but not quite yet. While holding the top gear to prevent it from falling, put the second gear on the bottom, move it forward, which will make the top gear move back. You know you got it when the all the holes line up. You will have to experiment and fiddle with it for sure. It's really hard to explain, but the youtube video explains it a lot better than I even can.
But I still can't get the goddamn c-clips off!
CountryBoy19
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Don't know, new axles at $90 each is cheap insurance that I won't have to tear it apart again.
That is very cheap. Where did you find a deal like that?
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watuzi
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Yep, just a goddamn hair is all I need, thanks for the suggestion.
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watuzi
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This is an even better video on installing the spider gears. Just imagine doing it under the vehicle, instead of on a table.
CountryBoy19
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https://www.summitracing.com/parts/MGR-12479285
When I bought them they were $96 each and Summit was running a "buy $250 get $25 off, buy $500 get $50 off" promo. With all the seals, bearings, new Eaton True-Trac diff, etc I had $750+ in parts so I placed 2 orders, 1 just over $500 and the other just over $250. My rear axle is all new except the tube/housing, and the R&P.
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watuzi
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Sorry for the late update, but here goes. My mechanic got the c-clips out by widening the c-clips with a snap ring plier and then using a screwdriver and mallet to push out the c-clips. That's why I'm not a mechanic, I got no brains. 
Sorry for the late update, but here goes. My mechanic got the c-clips out by widening the c-clips with a snap ring plier and then using a screwdriver and mallet to push out the c-clips. That's why I'm not a mechanic, I got no brains.
That's interesting I thought the c-clips were solid steel. SO it wasn't the axle wasn't pushed in far enough, the clips were bent closed???? A BFH saves the day? Did you get new clips or re-uses the old ones?
CountryBoy19
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They normally are solid steel. Only snap ring pliers I could see even coming close to bending a c-clip is the big 20" handle ones used for the big (6"+) rings in transmissions etc.
I dunno I never heard of this having to spread the c-clip open on a differential thing my whole backyard mechanic career.
swathdiver
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He put on point on each end of the clip and gave it a whalloping with a mallet I reckon! Something gave way and it may not have been the c-clip, just might have pushed the axle in enough with a good whack.
