Passenger Side (right side) Axle doesn't seem to be in all the way

[WesStevens]

Hi all. I'd made the rather rash decision to replace everything on the front end of my new to me '06 Liberty while I was installing my lift kit. I figured it would be smarter to do it all at once, and not have to go back and replace something in 6 months or whatever. So, in addition to the new longer springs, and Bilstein 5100 shocks, I also got new extended upper control arms, lower ball joints, tie rods, rotors, calipers and new CV Joints/Axles, sway bar bushings and ends.

While installing the new axle on the passenger (right) side, the axles doesn't seem like it is going in far enough. I've put as much force as I feel comfortable exerting on it to jam it in there, but there is still a pretty good gap. (See picture "axle one" below). I checked the other side, which still has the OEM axle and there is a gap on that side too, but maybe a bit smaller. The second picture "axle 2" shows more of the axle for context.

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Can anyone tell me if the gap is normal, or should it go in further? I wish I would've paid more attention before I removed it. I did put quite a bit of oil on the splines to help it go on easier, but it just doesn't seem like it is fully seated. Is it OK to put more pressure on the entire axle to get it to seat, or maybe a few hits with a rubber mallet?

I really appreciate any advice on this.
Thank you

 

[DadOSix]

You may want to compare new and old axles.

I * think * this is a function of how long the splines are on the new shaft as compared with what you are taking off.

I don’t recall ever seeing this on my 2, but then, none are home right now, or I could roll under and check.

 

[KJowner]

Isn't there a snap ring on the spline? Might not have seated

 

[WesStevens]

You may want to compare new and old axles.

I * think * this is a function of how long the splines are on the new shaft as compared with what you are taking off.

I don’t recall ever seeing this on my 2, but then, none are home right now, or I could roll under and check.

Thanks for the reply. So...I did take the new axle out, and took a picture side by side with the old one. The new one is a tiny bit shorter overall. But, I wasn't sure if that was because the original one has 188,000 miles on it, and is definteily worn and stretched out. I did reach out to the company to confirm that they sent the correct ones. I guess I'll see what they say. There are some differences in the lengths of the housings (looks like a tin can) and the axle length between the inner and outer housings, but the overall length is pretty darn close, and the splines seem to fit perfectly.

The inner axle shaft (with the spring clip and o-ring) seem to fit in perfectly in the new axle and go in as far is they did on the original. But, I'll put it back in the original one, and confirm. I appreciate the input.

 

[WesStevens]

Yes, there is a snap ring on the inner axle shaft. It appeared to have seated correctly, but I'm going to remove it, and put it back in the original one to confirm they're both the same. Thanks!

Isn't there a snap ring on the spline? Might not have sea