I'm having trouble installing the drivers-side drive shaft - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

84reb · 05-17-2007, 12:43 PM

The manual says:
"1. INSTALL LH DRIVE SHAFT
(a) Using a snap ring expander, install a new snap ring"
--The new axle already had the snap ring on it

"(b) Coat gear oil to the inboard joint tulip and differential case sliding surface"
--I didn't have gear oil so I used some di-electric grease instead

"(c) Using a brass bar and hammer, tap in the drive shaft until it makes contact with the pinion shaft. Hint: Before installing the drive shaft, set the snap ring opening side facing downward. Whether or not the drive shaft is making contact with the pinion shaft can be known by the sound or feeling when driving it in."
--I dont have a brass bar so I used a wratchet extension and did some serious tapping...it was more like hammering. It seemed to go in half way and not want to go any more. And I did set the snap ring opening facing down.

Also what is the sound or feeling its talking about?

The manual says you "check that the drive shaft can not be removed by hand"...well I can remove it by hand.

Anyone know any tricks or tools that would make this go easier?

Stillrunning · 05-17-2007, 01:21 PM

It takes quite a bit of force to override the snap ring. Put the drive shaft in the transmission by hand as far as you can, then put the other end in the hub. Grab the hub and push. The extra weight of the suspension will snap the axle in. You'll hear it and confirm it because you will not be able to remove the axle by pulling it. This will work if you have removed the tie rod end and ball joint knuckle so that the hub assembly will pivot.

***toyomoho*** · 05-17-2007, 02:42 PM

Also you can try to position the shaft into the diff housing making sure the splines are engaged; then ram home the shaft, as in really hard and fast. If this fails, repeat proceedure.

Keep clip slot at bottom of shaft, a little grease will hold it in place.

ghettosled · 05-18-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyomoho

ram home the shaft, as in really hard and fast. If this fails, repeat proceedure.

i feel sorry for your girlfriend/wife.

i know, jouvenile humor...

did you need to install the dust cover off of the old drive shaft (on mine i had to)? i gives a good gauge on how far the shaft has to be inserted into the transfer case. like everyone said, it takes a lot of force. i ended up using a small mallet to give it a good shot to compress the snap ring.