FRUSTRATED! need help with carrier swap

FRUSTRATED! need help with carrier swap

These are all advice about misaligned splines and how to get them aligned again. Print them out and take them with you next time you work on the car and I'm sure you get it fixed. I also posted an exploded view of the 8 3/4 axle a couple of post back, might come in handy aswell. Good luck.

SGBARRACUDA said
Sounds like the cone splines and the side gear splines are not lined up! Take a large bar and turn the alxe a little bit till it will go in, you may have to tap on the end as you turn it. You need to lock down the other axle so it doesn't turn while your trying to get that alxe in.

SGBARRACUDA said
Bolt a wheel/tire on the other side and let it rest on the ground. Next turn the other axle a little at a time while pushing or tapping on the end of it. It won't turn easy, it is a Sure grip after all, right. I have had this problem when a cone type SG was taken apart and then put together without using axle stubs to hold the teeth in line while bolting them together.

Badsport said
OK, if they are stock follow previously mentioned directions on securing the opposite side. What is happening is there is two sets of splines you are encountering, the first one slips in and the other one is probably not lined up, so inward pressure and rotation should pop it in there.

Try measuring it as suggested.

BRONZEBEE said
The splines are not lined up in the carrier DON'T CUT ANYTHING!!
Install a tire on the side that is in and put it on the ground.
On the there side take your longest pry bar and rotate the axle forward or backward in doesn't matter and push in or have a buddy tap with a hammer.
It will go in,just turn and tap.It may take a little force but keep working with it.

When you turn the axle it will take a little force because it will be tight.

good luck:burnout:

trebor75 said
If the splines were not misaligned before they are probably gonna be so now. You are not supposed to turn it with just one axle in there. That is what causes the misalignment. You will get it back with instructions in previous post though so dont worry.

If everything is stock on your axle then there is a threaded adjuster (see pic) on the passenger side of the axle. You can try to back that of, then do the spline aligning trick. If you succed dont forget to set the axle play back to specs with the adjuster. Sorry bout my poor spelling and english.

trebor75 said
I can also add that It can be both simple or quite tricky to get them aligned again. I had to use a pry bar and use quite some power to turn it and push in at the same time. Or maybe Im just not that strong lol! That was a cluth type sure grip. When I got them aligned the axle would finally settle nicely in all way. I had the same problem with a cone type but did not have to use the same force with that. Good luck!

fishy68 said
Agreed. Cutting the axle may make it go in but if it doesn't engage into the inner spline the car won't move and you might destroy the sure grip unit to boot. I just read through the whole thread and it sure sounds like it's just a spline not aligned. Seen it happen several times. You just need to do what SG said earlier. Bolt the other axle in and put a tire on that side then put the side in that isn't going all the way and using a pry bar lodged in the wheel studs turn it while pushing in. It won't be easy but it'll go.

SGBARRACUDA said
If you think it is bottoming out than you should be able to remove the side that goes all the way and then try the other axle. If it goes all way in like this than yes it is bottoming out. If it still won't go in your splines are not lined up!

fishy68 said
Yes that's what I'm saying. You are incorrect that there is only 1 spline. When their aligned you have to look real hard to see there is 2 sets. I have rebuilt numerous sure-grip units (clutch and cone type) and know absolutely beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is 2 sets of splines, both about 1/2" wide, on each side and they have to be perfectly lined up for the axle to go in. Your description tells me it's going into the first spline but the 2nd isn't lined up so it's not going in it. Sometimes their a real bugger to get aligned once their out of alignment. Especially if the sure-grip is nice and tight.

p.s. I know some of you guys will read my post and say the cone type is not rebuildable. Technically it isn't rebuildable like a clutch type. But you can machine the sides of the cones to get more life out of them as long as the carrier and/or cones aren't totally trashed.