Converted to 31 spline, now axles won't go in? WTF?

6BangBronk

6BangBronk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Location
Durham
WTF this time?
This whole EB project has been a song and dance. Pulled rear center section and added a 31 splined Trac Loc. Dropped center back in last night and when I went to put the new 31 splined Yucon axles in, they won't go? WTF? I never imagined to try the axle shafts while the center was out? I can turn the yoke and feel it wanting to turn the axle shaft so it is getting there, just not sliding in. And you can turn the axle shaft and feel the grooves of the locker where it should go in. Even tried encouragement with a big brass hammer. You can look down the axle tube and see the locker splines with no obstructions?
Another lesson learned! ALWAYS TRY YOUR AXLE SHAFTS BEFORE INSTALLING LOCKER IF YOU CHANGE SOMETHING! Now I got to pull and rescrape silicone to see what needs clearanced. I'll caliper the axles to another 31 spline just to see if they are any bigger first I guess? Might try to install a longer 31 spline spare I have for a full size to see if it's the locker or the yukon axles? Anybody else ever run into this? I would have sworn 31 spline axles should go into any 31 spline locker? WRONG...
It will be the weekend before I will have time to go back in. Any thoughts?
 
Neither side will go in? I hate to ask the obvious questions but Did you count the splines on the axles and locker? Were all the splines the same or is there a master spline? I wouldnt beat on that axle too hard the hammer might be brass but the splined end of the axle hitting aginst the splines in the locker aint.
 
Gave more thought to this and something tells me the old 28 spline carrier must be the small bearing carrier that might be barely too small for the 31 splined axle to fit in? Don't know but will post my findings Monday...
No didn't count splines but was SUPPOSED to be 31 on both of them. Just can't ass-u-me anything can ya? I'm gradually learning that now! It's wierd all the things I learn every single day from mistakes. And eventually as you make numerous mistakes you start thinking about every possible failure before putting things together. I could have easily slid those axles in for a test fit but I'm kicking myself in the ass now! And then of course the job always goes quicker the second time...
 
Is it possible the spline are "keyed"? I have seen splines where one spot is "keyed" so it will only fit one way.

Just throwing one out there.
 
Good suggestion. But you can see the splines and they are not keyed. Never known anything besides steering arms to be keyed and splined though? Will know more over weekend and will post for others to learn from my ordeal.
 
No Ford doesn't use a keyed spline. 6Bang the 31 spline axles should fit in the "B" or small carrier bearing case. I had to use a little persuassion to install a new set of forged axles in a new carrier before. Tight fit but it will go in. But before I pulled the 3rd member I would see if the old 28's work.

BTW, are you using a factory Trac Lok posi unit or a "lunch box" locker?
 
shafts

I built an EB small bearing 9" with Superior 31 splines / spool and it went together smooth. NOW, with that said, I have just built a rear D60 with Yukon shafts AND a front D60 with Moser shafts- both needed to be dressed to fit (die grinder and some scotchbrite pads. Burrs were a little too much to get started to mate. But the fit is still really tight.
 
You got small bearing shafts for a small bearing housing (not carrier) or large for large...correct? How much farther does the shaft need to go?
 
Axle needs to go about 3-4 more inches. I'll try an old full sized axle first that will have more tolerance. The locker is a lunch-box installed into an open 28 spline small bearing housing. I will try chamfering a tad before pulling. Seems like they should go!
And I am 300% positive everything is 31 splined guys! Thanks for the advise! It makes me feel good that others had to persuade but succeeded. I'd imagine I would need to align the shafts perfectly perpendicular to go in. Chamfering and deburring seems like a good thing to do anyways in case I need to pull out in the field later on.
 
The center 2-piece thing (don't know my terminology) that the lunchbox locker goes in was thicker at the bearing ends and would not allow 31 splined without clearancing. It was from a 1967 F-100 according to numbers on the center and was 28 spline. Swapped out for another 2-piece center from a 31 and all was well!
Lesson for the day! TEST FIT!
 
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