** SOLVED **

Problem: Rear axle shaft bolts did not line up with bolt holes. Fit in perfectly when turned 15 degrees CCW.

Solution: Hammer on bolt studs with 3/4" Brass Drift Punch until bolts grabbed onto holes and came free of snag. Fit in perfectly after.

** SOLVED **

Hey all, trying to replace my rear axle seals. Took my rear axles to a shop to replace bearings, etc. putting them in today. My passenger side axle goes in smoothly, albeit with a tiny touch of gap that I’m hoping the bolts will snug up (1st attachment).

The problem lies on my drivers side rear axle - it snugs up PERFECTLY….when the bolts aren’t lined up properly (2nd attachment). Won’t seat in when they are (3rd attachment). So what gives? Did I mess up the inner seals?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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The shop could have put the bearing on wrong

I don't know how much that would have to do with it though - it's a perfect circle, so orientation shouldn't matter, right? Especially if it seats up perfectly when the bolts are just turned to the left 15 degrees. I could be wrong.

Have you tried rotating the axle flange so that the splines align into the carrier? The gap on your passenger side is fine and should go away once you tighten the nuts.

how i do dat

many job and hobbie involve use of helmet, need hand hold ty

Grab your driveshaft and turn it so the splines on axle can align with those inside.

@fourfive wasn’t this what happened when you did your rear axle seals? If I remember right one bearing wasn’t entirely seated in the retainer.

Hold the bearing cup and rotate the lug studs/axle shaft.

Looks & sounds almost identical to my situation. Correct, the bearing wasn't seated far enough into the housing. I turned the axle shaft vertical & lightly slammed the splined end into a piece of wood on the ground which seated the bearing deeper into the housing & everything bolted up perfectly after that.




See 30m 17s - 31m 8s in @mtbtim & @infamousRNR video.

Toyota Rear Axle Seal/Bearing Replacement (ABS Rearend) - YouTube

Right on ya'll thanks for the ideas. Unfortunately neither the wood drop nor the driveline rotation worked. Still gets hung up at the same spot. I called the shop and they said to bring it on back. Here's hopin

What happened to the shroom on the end of shaft?? Want that you

Did you visually check/measure if the bearing is fully seated the same distance within the housing on both sides?

Also make sure that the studs are fully seated.

Here's a picture I took when I was trying to troubleshoot a similar issue I had. I put a straight edge on the studs and measured that distance to the ABS ring. You can see the subtle difference in the amount of the ABS ring above the straight edge. May be worth checking that distance to see if there's a difference.

Also take measurements to make sure you have the same amount of polished axle showing to rule out issues with the press work and compare the press work on the seals to make sure they are properly seated.

???

@fourfive I'll check those while I wait for my buddy to _pick me up and take me to the shop_ (this is getting tiresome, I need a second car!) :P

Got it back in. One bolt was a little "lazy" and needed some encouragement from my new friend, 3/4" Brass Drift Punch.