Front Axle Doesn't Engage After Shaft Seal Replacement

beertestr · February 2, 2011

Ok 99 Tahoe 8.25" front axle.

I am installing this axle in my 94 Silverado Z71, but currently have it out on my workbench for an axle seal replacement.

I was checking the functionality of the actuator with a bench harness I have set up. Before I pulled the shafts to do the seals, the actuator was engaging the shaft(s). After I put the right shaft back in I tested it again before crawling under the truck to install it, and it's not engaging anymore. The actuator is.. actuating. I took it out to confirm it was. I also pushed on the plunger in the extension housing (cast iron bit that holds the right shaft and actuator). It moved fine, but I can't tell if the fork is moving, or if it's just the spring deflecting and no fork movement.

Any thoughts? is it possible for the sliding collar to fall out of position when you pull out the shaft? Maybe the spider gear? Any thoughts before I pull the extension housing out and start rummaging around?

gmtech4 · February 3, 2011

are you saying the axle tube is on the truck and the right axle is out and on your bench??

sure reads like that,if so ....you did it ALL WRONG and the axle tube or extension housing u call it has to come out and start again ....

it goes up as an assembly ,you dropped the thrust washers blocking the shift collar

ALL WRONG sir and for that you get a ....

FAIL !

ChevyTech77 · February 3, 2011

are you saying the axle tube is on the truck and the right axle is out and on your bench??

sure reads like that,if so ....you did it ALL WRONG and the axle tube or extension housing u call it has to come out and start again ....

it goes up as an assembly ,you dropped the thrust washers blocking the shift collar

ALL WRONG sir and for that you get a ....

FAIL !

Holy christ dude, you seriously need to lay off......

gmtech4 · February 3, 2011

what ? to much ? lol

beertestr · February 3, 2011

are you saying the axle tube is on the truck and the right axle is out and on your bench??

sure reads like that,if so ....you did it ALL WRONG and the axle tube or extension housing u call it has to come out and start again ....

it goes up as an assembly ,you dropped the thrust washers blocking the shift collar

ALL WRONG sir and for that you get a ....

FAIL !

OK, I re-read my post, and it doesn't read that way to me.

Whole front axle unit is out.. I pulled the right side axle shaft out to install a new seal. I put the shaft back in, and when I cycled the actuator, nothing was engaging. It did before I pulled the shaft out to replace the seal.

But, based on the few words of useful info, I am going to guess that I dropped the thrust washers. Hopefully I can get to them by removing the extension housing, and don't need to split the case.

And thank you for your nearly useless posts. Are you even a technician?

txab · February 3, 2011

are you saying the axle tube is on the truck and the right axle is out and on your bench??

sure reads like that,if so ....you did it ALL WRONG and the axle tube or extension housing u call it has to come out and start again ....

it goes up as an assembly ,you dropped the thrust washers blocking the shift collar

ALL WRONG sir and for that you get a ....

FAIL !

OK, I re-read my post, and it doesn't read that way to me.

Whole front axle unit is out.. I pulled the right side axle shaft out to install a new seal. I put the shaft back in, and when I cycled the actuator, nothing was engaging. It did before I pulled the shaft out to replace the seal.

But, based on the few words of useful info, I am going to guess that I dropped the thrust washers. Hopefully I can get to them by removing the extension housing, and don't need to split the case.

And thank you for your nearly useless posts. Are you even a technician?

Yes, he is.

ChevyTech77 · February 3, 2011

are you saying the axle tube is on the truck and the right axle is out and on your bench??

sure reads like that,if so ....you did it ALL WRONG and the axle tube or extension housing u call it has to come out and start again ....

it goes up as an assembly ,you dropped the thrust washers blocking the shift collar

ALL WRONG sir and for that you get a ....

FAIL !

OK, I re-read my post, and it doesn't read that way to me.

Whole front axle unit is out.. I pulled the right side axle shaft out to install a new seal. I put the shaft back in, and when I cycled the actuator, nothing was engaging. It did before I pulled the shaft out to replace the seal.

But, based on the few words of useful info, I am going to guess that I dropped the thrust washers. Hopefully I can get to them by removing the extension housing, and don't need to split the case.

And thank you for your nearly useless posts. Are you even a technician?

Yes, if you just pulled the axle shaft out of the extension housing, without the shift fork pushed into 4WD mode, the thrust washer is out of place.

And yes, you can get to the thrust washer by just pulling off the extension housing, no need to split the case.

beertestr · February 3, 2011

Yes, if you just pulled the axle shaft out of the extension housing, without the shift fork pushed into 4WD mode, the thrust washer is out of place.

And yes, you can get to the thrust washer by just pulling off the extension housing, no need to split the case.

Thank you, fellow Michigander!! I'll dig into it the next chance I get, which will likely be a few weeks, maybe sooner if another big snowstorm looms on the horizon..

I have not pulled one of these axles out, but it looks pretty straight forward. 12 bolts and the halfshafts are out, 4 on the prop shaft, and 4 hold the unit to the frame... any tricks? All my bolts are NOT rusty, it's a very clean truck, it couldn't have been in MI it's entire life. I have the new actuator already pseudo wired up.

gmtech4 · February 4, 2011

you're awfully mouthy for a guy asking help ...ya still did it wrong and im the **** ? ,,piss off newby ,read peoples profile before yapping gums

ps ,you wrecked a bunch of stuff inside when you ripped your axle shaft out ,

good luck,

boob

00Silverado4x4 · February 4, 2011

you're awfully mouthy for a guy asking help ...ya still did it wrong and im the **** ? ,,piss off newby ,read peoples profile before yapping gums

ps ,you wrecked a bunch of stuff inside when you ripped your axle shaft out ,

good luck,

boob

As a customer I expect to receive a professional attitude from a "technician" when I need assistance. If my vehicles need repairs done & I go to the dealership or a shop I will receive appropriate customer service & repairs or I go somewhere else. The OP had done the same, he found that he needed assistance so he felt that he could come this forum to receive this help. In turn he's told he was incorrectly repairing his vehicle, no problem, but then insulted, even told to "piss off newby." What does this accomplish? How does this provide the assistance he requested? What's the purpose behind this forum? Where are you a technician at & why would I want to send my truck to your place of business? I'd rather fix my truck wrong versus dealing with the "technician" attitude displayed in this thread.

txab · February 4, 2011

you're awfully mouthy for a guy asking help ...ya still did it wrong and im the **** ? ,,piss off newby ,read peoples profile before yapping gums

ps ,you wrecked a bunch of stuff inside when you ripped your axle shaft out ,

good luck,

boob

Easy there Rob..... Get up on the wrong side of the bed today?

Have a good one.

gmtech4 · February 4, 2011

holy crap,take it easy Mark,its called "pissin around "and its the INTERNET not a shop ,

get over it

Matt_ · February 4, 2011

All the nastiness aside...

This may help the OP see what's going on in there:

beertestr · February 4, 2011

Thanks Matt.

Once it was made apparent that something can slip out of position if 4WD is not engaged when pulling the RS shaft, I pulled the same illustration up. Looks to me like item 8 or 12 is what can fall out of position.

FYI, while I obviously had to ask some questions on the front axle, I am an OEM engineer on the engine side. I was involved with the LS engines for 7 years; development on the S/T V8 trucks (TBSS/SSR/5.3 AFM trucks) and design on 5.3 H3/Colorado, 6.0/6.2 Camaro/Corvette/G8, and the 5.3L FWD Impala/Monte. Feel free to ask any questions on the subject, I'd like to contribute where I can. I also build motors on the side, and do custom swaps, my DD 94 Silverado is my second LS swap in an 89-98 truck.

I also have to admit that Rob's sigline "I'm here all week ,try the Veal !!" is something a buddy of mine uses all the time.. good stuff.

I look forward to more technical banter in the future. Thanks again.