Axle shaft help... will not seat

[jd_boggs]

An axle seal failed so I'm replacing all seals, bearings and ruined brake shoes.
I removed the bolt and pulled out the steel rod to remove the C-clip. Then removed the C-clip from the diff to pull the axle shaft and begin bearing and seal replacement. After after replacing bearings and seals I lubricated the seals and bearings both. I tried to install the axle shaft but it will NOT fit. It binds up and will not travel the last 3 inches. What am I doing wrong?
I tested bearings and seals for fit on one of the axles shaft because they make 2 different sizes. So I tested for proper fit before installing them.
Is there a special trick get them aligned?
I welcome any suggestions. BTW, it's 1981 K10 4x4

Thanks

 

[Georgeb]

Does it seem to be binding in the bearing or does it seem to come to a dead stop like it hit somthing? If its not the bearing fitment then perhaps you need to try to get the end of the axle tonrais up and align with the carrier. Give it a little turn and it should go in.

 

[87scotty]

Turn and push down a little bit on the hub face end while twisting and pushing probably just have to get splined in up alil bit

 

[jd_boggs]

Does it seem to be binding in the bearing or does it seem to come to a dead stop like it hit somthing? If its not the bearing fitment then perhaps you need to try to get the end of the axle tonrais up and align with the carrier. Give it a little turn and it should go in.

It appears to bind up at the carrier end. So, I removed the spider gears to make sure nothing is in the way. While the axle is out I confirmed that the splined gears fit the axle. I will try again today

 

[jd_boggs]

Turn and push down a little bit on the hub face end while twisting and pushing probably just have to get splined in up alil bit

It appears to bind up at the carrier end. So, I removed the spider gears to make sure nothing is in the way. While the axle is out I confirmed that the splined gears fit the axle. I will try again today

 

[jd_boggs]

It appears to bind up at the carrier end. So, I removed the spider gears to make sure nothing is in the way. While the axle is out I confirmed that the splined gears fit the axle. I will try again today

Axle fits now....
I let the axles sit over night in freezing temps and fit like a glove this morning

 

[Georgeb]

Axle fits now....
I let the axles sit over night in freezing temps and fit like a glove this morning

What happens when it warms up? I would be concerned that I
have the wrong bearings.

 

[crazy4offroad]

It's common practice to gain just a few thousandths clearance to make something go together easily. Done it before for a transmission input shaft into the fwd drum. I put the shaft in the freezer and drum in the oven on 200 degrees for a couple hours and suddenly something that's usually pressed-fit drops in like a dream. Those side gears, since they're riding on the spiders can tilt so easily and make it a real pain to do alone.

 

[Georgeb]

It's common practice to gain just a few thousandths clearance to make something go together easily. Done it before for a transmission input shaft into the fwd drum. I put the shaft in the freezer and drum in the oven on 200 degrees for a couple hours and suddenly something that's usually pressed-fit drops in like a dream. Those side gears, since they're riding on the spiders can tilt so easily and make it a real pain to do alone.

I have also used heat or cold to help in some situations and I totaly understand the concept. My only concern was that the axle inside the bearing rollers should not be an interfearance fit. If it was the side
gears holding it up thats a different issue. I just wouldn't want the OP to end up with a burned up bearing and axle because something wasn't correct so I questioned it.

 

[87scotty]

Id assume it would have fit with finess just have to have the right angle on the shaft and splines lined up just perfect

 

[MikeB]

I'd suspect 40 degrees or so didn't make much difference in axle OD and bearing ID. Freezer vs. 200 degree oven, yes; but not 30 vs. 70, or even 25 vs. 75.

Still, the problem was kinda strange. Might have been on the carrier end.

 

[jd_boggs]

What happens when it warms up? I would be concerned that I
have the wrong bearings.

I pre fitted the bearings on an axle while on the bench same with the seals.