axle spline alignment help

[rr74cuda]

I just put a 3.91 ratio center section in my cuda. The driver side axle is in and bolted down. The inner and outer splines on the pass. side of the diff are not aligned and are making me miserable.I have tried to insert the axle with one tire on the ground,both in the air, etc, but still cant get the axle to line up to go in! It seems like the rear is locked up because with one tire on the ground the other side wont turn at all.(Suregrip) I replaced the seals and used a "green bearing kit" to rid myself of the adjuster. The seals have plenty of clearance from the bearing surface. HELP ME TO BURN RUBBER ONCE AGAIN!

[Chryco Psycho]

use a pry bar between the wheel studs on the axle & twist it a little

[rr74cuda]

Chryco, I have tried a crowbar,breaker bar,pipe extension etc. it just seems like there is no give in the center section. My understanding is that a suregrip should let one axle turn freely of the other(for cornering etc.) until 15lbs of torque is applied to either side. I cant even turn the free axle by hand when the opposite wheel is on the ground. Am I missing something? This is a 742 clutch pack sure grip that seemed to work ok before the gear change. I will try again today

[Chryco Psycho]

it will be  tough , the sure  grip should have axles in it as it is assembled , you need to force the axle gear to turn behind the sure grip hud the get the spline to align

[ShelbyDogg]

  A sure-grip will not let you turn the other side with one tire on the ground without lots of force, when the clutches start slipping.

Have you looked inside the axle tube with a strong flashlight yet? See what's in there.    If you have to, pull out the center section and put both axles in without the housing to see what is happening.

[rr74cuda]

Thanks for the advice.Wife just had her ankle operated on so I'll see if I can work on it a bit between being a human crutch

[rr74cuda]

Ilooked down the tube-no obstructions just un-aligned splines

[Challenger6pak]

I had the same problem around 20 years ago, so I am a little foggy on the details.  In the center section, where the axils go into and butted up against was a piece (or spacer) that would fall over and not let the axil go in.  I do not remember many details.  Maybe this will send you ion the right direction.

[ShelbyDogg]

No, that was the spacer that keeps the axles apart bor the bearing preload.

74Cuda, with the one tire on the ground, you are going to have to get a longer bar for leverage till that thing slips then aligns itself with the inner splines.  You either get it to turn or pull it all apart again. Keep trying while cussing out loud and you'll get it.

Rob

[rr74cuda]

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree you need an old Trosion bar or somethign to pry it

[rr74cuda]

Well-----------I found a good way to turn the axle. I put a tire iron thru the lugs and put a floor jack under one end and started pumping. It actually had enough force behind it to turn the tire that was on the ground!(Guess my suregrip is working) Still couldn't get the axle in yet though Just a stupid question-Does it matter which axle I'm trying to turn? The one that IS in or the one thats not lined up?

[Chryco Psycho]

turn the one not lined up with it slid in as far as posssible

[rr74cuda]

Finally got it IN!  I think my mistake was not putting inward pressure on the axle while I was turning it. I tightened down the axle nuts a bit THEN I turned the axle with the tire iron/floor jack combo I described before and WALLAAAAAAH! it popped in. Want to thank you guys for the help. Always makes me feel better if I think I'm going in the right direction. Now if I can remember how much to torque those nuts to.145ft/lbs comes to mind but

[tactransman]