First is the Axle supposed to float over the shaft? As in it doesn't stay hard fastened?

I have been having so much trouble getting my axle installed. This is the 3rd one.

The first 2 were from Advance
This one is from Orielly

I also replaced the keeper (C clip) but it didn't change anything. The axle just wants to float off with a moderate tug.

Should I try forcing it with a hammer? That isn't an idea I like. I have never had to force an axle like that.

Could it be that that mid shafts have been switched? or is that not possible? I took a picture of the one from this side of the car. I removed it to see if MAYBE there was something wrong with it but there isn't. I couldn't even get it to fully engage with it off the car on a vice.

 

Didn't you kind of answer your own question?
The c-clip is what keeps the axle in without slipping out easily... on top of the fact its bolted through your bearing. Its only suppose to take a moderate slam to get it engaged over the retaining clip and than the same to get it off...

Do you have your old axle? are you sure it is even the correct axle?

 

I do not have the oem axle I wish I did.

As for answering my own question sort of. But the amount of force the keeper required wasn't something I was certain of.

Do I know it is the right axle well no. It certainly doesn't work like it is the right one. But this is the 3rd axle from 2 different parts manufacturers and none of them engaged.

Do you have pictures of your oem axle shaft? Or dimensions?

 

It takes a good amount of force to get it installed. I typically use a block of wood and a hammer to tap it in. When you have it in, is there still a large gap? Are you getting the metal seal to mate to the tranny?

 

Negative I am not getting a good mate. It doesn't seem like it is making it to the keeper.

 

I think the most important thing is to measure the axle length first...because you may have a regular lancer axle or something... I do have one out of the car, which side is the one you're trying to replace?

Mine is LH passenger side.

 

It takes a good hit with a hamme or how I do it is I get the axle started then when it gets to the point where it's stopped by the retainer I grab the middle of the axle pull out so the cv joint extends slightly and just give it a bit of a tap inward until it pops over the clip. U are essentially using the axle itself as a slide hammer. And it does take a decent pop to get it in. If anyone says this is wrong or bad for the axle, I have done it with both front reinstalling them numerous times and the axles are still fine.

 

Passenger front GTIJoejoe. I ordered another one. And this will be number 4. I will get a little more aggressive with it today.

 

Note that you put the side through the bearing/hub first and then jack up the hub with a jack until it is as level as you can get it without interfearing with the shock. Then you can use the hub as a hammer and slam it a few times. The metal cup should be within a few millimeters of the transmission case.

It is possible you have the wrong part, but I understand the OEM replacement is a bit pricey ($500). My axle boot recently got a hole in it, but I caught it in time and they simpy replaced the boot/filled with grease for $100 and I was good to go.

 

Yeah we used that method. I was able to actually get it over the keeper today with the shaft out of the car but if you grab ahold of the stub shaft and yank it just comes off.

 

The stub shaft should require a slide hammer to get out. Make sure the stub shaft has the threaded hole facing out (where you would thread a bolt for a slide hammer).

 

That was one of the first things we checked. One of the concerns was that the drivers side/passenger side were switched. But I found a picture of the drivers side stub shaft and it is quite a bit longer than the one I took out of the passenger side.

Shep Trans told me to expand the keeper. That is what I will try next.

 

My passenger stock axle is end to end 26.25" from hub mating end to end is 22"

My replacement axle which I got for the time being is
AUP 9622N from RockAuto.com

if any rockauto axle says EXCL EVOLUTION... it means excluding the evo.... not exclusive....
Hope that helps dude.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the help. I got the axle installed properly. I am still having an issue with a noise while driving. But that is unrelated to the axle it seems.

 

Hey guys I'm bringing this thread back from the dead.

Any there any tricks to getting the axle to go all the way into the tcase? I think I'm getting past the clip but I just need some way of hammering it in. Thanks guys

Fred