front drive shaft fighting back

[Previologist]

I took it out last spring when i did my clutch, and i can't quite get it onto the front flange. Trying to compress it a little but my arthritic wrists are too weakling. Tried to coax it on with various smacks and pries and wiggles, to no avail. I'm sure there must be an easy trick/technique but i don't know it

 

[GhostRing]

Try removing the zerk and see if it allows the shaft to collapse a bit.

 

[pluton]

Try removing the zerk and see if it allows the shaft to collapse a bit.

This is what I'd do.

 

[Previologist]

That worked. Thanks.

 

[phattyduck]

That worked. Thanks.

That also means you might want to compress it with the zerk out to push out the old grease and hit the splines manually with some grease. You don't want a hydraulic piston for a front driveshaft... the diff and transfer case do move slightly with drivetrain forces.

The same issue can happen with the rear driveshaft.

-Charlie