Need help ASAP: pulled axle out of the diff

[aliomalley]

While pulling the front bearing hub off my 95 cherokee 4x4, it pulled the axle out of the differential. I put it back in but it won't.lock in. The jeep is in 4wd right now.

Did i just eff this up royally?

 

[the_weirdo]

What do you mean it won't "lock in". When you tighten the 3 bolts on the back of the unit bearing it keeps the shaft in.

 

[aliomalley]

Ok i think that's what i needed to.know. The axle.won't 'lock in' to the differential. I.know.some.old chevys have a clip in The dif, i wasn't sure.if keeps were the same.

 

[the_weirdo]

The front shafts do not lock in like a C-clip axle. Push the shafts in, tighten the 3 bolts that secure the unit bearing to 75 ft-lbs (pretty sure that is the spec) and put the wheel back on. Done.

 

[aliomalley]

I can spin axle.freely right now, i guess is what.I.mean. Im new to jeeps, this is a foreign language to me haha.

Sorry about all the periods, my phone sucks.

 

[aliomalley]

Awesome thank you!

 

[the_weirdo]

I think we are talking about different things. What exactly are you doing and why do you think it is not working correctly?

 

[aliomalley]

I am replacing the front right bearing. When i pulled the bearing.hub off, it pulled the axle out of the differential. I slid it back in, but there was no locking in.noise, and i can.spin the axle freely. The jeep was in 4wd, and still is, but its not actually anymore (its in gear in 4high)

I just got done putting the bearing back on, and im about to.put the wheel on and test drive it. I was worried that pulling.the axle out may have screwed up my 4wd, or any drive, for that matter.

Im uses to drag cars, not 4x4s, so bear with me!

 

[nick86]

If you have no locker it will turn freely, but you should be able to feel it mesh with the splines of the spider gear. If you got the hub assy bolted up, I'm guessing it's in all the way.

 

[aliomalley]

Just test drove it and all is good. Thanks guys!

 

[WI88XJ]

If you're new to Jeeps, XJ's in particular, then you are at the best possible forum you can be. has the best tech for XJ's.