I'm trying to reinstall the drive axles, and I can't get the passenger side axle to go the last .5" on my 2002 MCS. I got the driver's side axle installed fine, but on the passenger-side I can't line up the bolt holes for the middle support bracket. It engages the splines, as I can turn the passenger-side axle and the driver's side will turn with it.

Any suggestions before I resort to the BFH?
Ian

 

No takers? Okay, I resorted to shade-tree mechanics' strategy. Because the passenger-side axle has two flexible joints, I pulled them out slightly and then rammed them in like a slide-hammer. Worked fairly well to get the axle in the last .25", and hopefully easier on the joints than a BFH.
Ian

 

Did they click into place?

 

The driver-side axle has a snap-ring and it clicked into place. The passenger-side axle does not have the snap ring, and slides into the splines.
Ian

 

Yep...you have to use a bit of force to get it in. FWIW, I also splurged for the MINI tool that protects the seals while passing the splined part through. They weren't cheap and may be considered by some to be overkill, but I wanted to take every precaution against having to replace those seals...

 

The Mini tool looks like a good idea, but I didn't plan ahead to get one. I made sure to hold the axles horizontal to protect the seals during insertion into the splines, and it doesn't appear (yet) that I caused any damage. However, I haven't filled my transmission yet, so I haven't passed the ultimate leak-test
Ian

 

I'm having a similar problem. If I push the axle all the way in, the middle support bracket will not be aligned and I will not be able to bolt it down. I ended up aligning the bracket but now the axle still needs to go in some more.

Any ideas?

 

A little wiggling will get it in. I'm guessing that with the tool, it pre-centers the sealing surface, and makes insertion easier. Definitely don't force it, because that seal is $60 or $80, something along those lines. Also, use a 13mm Gearwrench (or gearwrench type wrench) on the bracket bolts. I didn't have one the first time I did it, and suffering with a 36 tooth ratchet one click at a time was no fun.