spindle stuck

[Seth_O]

I put a new one-piece rubber boot on my truck today, and haven't been able to get the spindle back on? Everything got cleaned and no installation problems up until I tried to get the spindle on, but it won't seat all the way.

It gets to within ~1/4" of sitting against the hub, but then is clearly hitting against something metallic. There are no obvious obstructions, so I am thinking maybe the shaft or U joint, but it seemed to come off just fine and I didn't remove any other parts.

Suggestions? Any help is appreciated, I'd like to get this project wrapped up.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Are you sure the axle is seated all the way in? It took me almost 15min to get mine in. Is this driver side or pass?

 

[Seth_O]

pass side. I did not remove the axle, but the hub assembly did rest on it for a bit. It's behaving exactly as if the axle were sticking out just a bit.

Can the axle come out that easily? The only other axle I have removed was on my landcruiser, and it had c-clips, so it couldn't come out without digging into the diff.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Yup, they slide out quite easy.

 

[Seth_O]

Tks gimp! I will check that first in the am when I can take another crack at it.

 

[Seth_O]

A'ight, I checked my axle and it's seated all the way (as evidenced by the flange being flush against the backside of the hub). However, now that it's light I can see that there is some scoring on the inside rim of the hub where the spindle is supposed to insert. Everything else is aligned, it's like the lip on the inside of the spindle that actually inserts into the hub is just a wee bit too big around.

I believe this is supposed to be a tight fit, but that seems extreme? Right now I have the hub sitting in the sun (supposed to hit 70* today) and the spindle in the freezer (hoping my wife doesn't see that ) is there anything else I should be trying? Has anyone else run into this issue?

 

[gringeltaube]

Yes, the edges prob. having some nicks and burrs and make it a little to tight... a file helps...!
Tighten nuts crosswise, ensure gap remains even all around . While bolting the spindle down in place (its called the knuckle...) rock the axle shaft in and out to make sure nothing is binding inside. Very little lateral play should be left once seated.

G.

 

[Seth_O]

To close the loop on this one: I think at some point my knuckle either got out-of-round, or another knuckle was installed on my vehicle which was out-of-round. After doing some grinding with the dremel, and freezing the spindle in the garage freezer for a couple of days I was able to get the spindle re-attached using the rubber mallet and tightening the nuts down in the correct order.

Bit of a PITA, but it's back together now and my new boot is installed.