Hi All, In process of replacing front drive axles on 88, DL Sedan, FWD; outer CV joints went caput. Got old axles out no problem, but can't the new axles in...correct size and shape, ie new ones are perfect match. Any advice would be much abliged.

 

By the way, this is a great site; just get the repair manual up and running again...I'm a back yard hack mechanic that needs all the help he can get.

 

I'll be out trying to find the perfect curse words to get the spindle in the hub, and will check back again later.

 

Thanks for any kind words of wisdom in advance,

 

WoodChip

Whenever, I have trouble getting the spindle through the hub, I unbolt the hub from the rotor, remove it, and that makes it much easier to get it started.

Hi All, In process of replacing front drive axles on 88, DL Sedan, FWD; outer CV joints went caput. Got old axles out no problem, but can't the new axles in...correct size and shape, ie new ones are perfect match. Any advice would be much abliged.

 

By the way, this is a great site; just get the repair manual up and running again...I'm a back yard hack mechanic that needs all the help he can get.

 

I'll be out trying to find the perfect curse words to get the spindle in the hub, and will check back again later.

 

Thanks for any kind words of wisdom in advance,

 

WoodChip

I've had luck taking the rotor/hub off, leaving just the inner hub with the axle seal exposed.

 

I found a big crescent wrench to set right by the seal and pry off of. Using a combination of screwing the castle nut farther on the spindle and a larger object to pry off of, I've gotten the axle far enough in I can pull it the rest of the way with the castle nut on the hub/rotor.

 

Hope this helps

And, in my experience, it is pretty critical to get the spacer sleeve between the 2 bearing races dead even with the races. The axle hits that spacer and won't move no mo'.

EdRach,

 

Thanks for the advice, I took the rotor off; and used a bunch of large washers/various spacers, and managed to draw the spindle into place. Now I just need another set of hands to pull on the hub in order to attach the inner drive axle to the transaxle....I'm also using your drive axle replacement instructions that I had printed before the repair manual went off line. Many thanks for the reply and for you instructions from the repair manual.

 

Time to rest, manana will be the time to "git 'er done."

 

hasta luego-WoodChip

 

Muchas Gracias to NorthWet and Hooziewhatsit tambien.

 

Whenever, I have trouble getting the spindle through the hub, I unbolt the hub from the rotor, remove it, and that makes it much easier to get it started.

I've had luck taking the rotor/hub off, leaving just the inner hub with the axle seal exposed.

 

I found a big crescent wrench to set right by the seal and pry off of. Using a combination of screwing the castle nut farther on the spindle and a larger object to pry off of, I've gotten the axle far enough in I can pull it the rest of the way with the castle nut on the hub/rotor.

 

that's how I did it earlier today... and will do again tomorrow... (:

 

...

 

my big 12"...

 

crescent!

 

(and my pickle fork helped too)