Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 04:01 AM
  #1  
86camaroZ's Avatar
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From: MI
Car: 86 iroc
Engine: 350 vortec HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 370
9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

Pulled the axles out of my 9 bolt a few months ago when new backing plates were needed for a big brake upgrade. The axle halves went back in just fine. Also installed Hawks 9 bolt Girdle.

Pulled axle halves again to pound in new lug nut studs, notice a small leak from a seal. Had new seals and bearings pressed on at the shop - used hawks 9 bolt seal and bearing kit.

Went to install and the longer passenger side (PS) axle will not slide completely in. The splines engage approximately 3/4" and need to continue into the housing approximately another 3/4 - 1" further.

Swapped the shorter drivers side into the PS and yes the bearing completely seats into the housing.
Slowly turned the drivers side axle while someone pushes on the PS.
Put the wheel back on the drivers side and sat it on the ground and tried engaging PS, rotated PS and continued pushing.
Rotated driveshaft and pinion while trying to install PS and would not go in. Did this with drivers axle up in the air, and with the wheel back on sitting on the ground.
Finally tried the 4 pound sledge - gave it a few good wacks and no dice. Did not want to continue pounding.

Ideas?

Last edited by 86camaroZ; Aug 16, 2021 at 06:13 AM.
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 04:05 AM
  #2  
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Car: 86 iroc
Engine: 350 vortec HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 370
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 08:43 AM
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

May have to remove the cover to see what's going on in there.
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:16 AM
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From: Monroe,NC
Car: 90 Formula
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt/3.27
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

Isn't there a second set of splines that need to be in alignment to allow the axle to go in completely? I seem to remember something about this years ago when I had a similar experience with my 9 bolt.
I could be wrong though, it's been a while.
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 12:10 PM
  #5  
86camaroZ's Avatar
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From: MI
Car: 86 iroc
Engine: 350 vortec HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 370
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

Originally Posted by Mongoose
Isn't there a second set of splines that need to be in alignment to allow the axle to go in completely? I seem to remember something about this years ago when I had a similar experience with my 9 bolt.
I could be wrong though, it's been a while.
thats what I thought, the cone and spider gear. That’s why I keep trying to spin it to get them to align..
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 07:05 PM
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Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

Side (not spider) gear = spin freely

Cone = friction-fit to the carrier

Sounds like something got turned while you had it apart

Also sounds like at least one of your cones has no coneness left; otherwise, if both had plenty of friction, nothing would have moved; if one is just dead weight now, the other probably isn't far behind, and it's a waste of time to reassemble it anyway

Turn the other axle SLOWLY in SMALL increments while trying to put the one in GENTLY (no need for the BFH: when the splines line up, it'll fall right in)

Then take it back apart and see if you can do the usual hack to the cones to get a little bit of "posi" action back temporarily
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Old Aug 17, 2021 | 01:26 AM
  #7  
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From: MI
Car: 86 iroc
Engine: 350 vortec HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 370
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

I agree, when I had it apart a couple months ago I could see through the site window one cone was bottomed out and I weighed my options for what I wanted to accomplish this year. I'll go the Torsen route when this one gives, still acting as a good posi for the meantime.

Tried for hours rotating the drivers side axle halve and pushing the PS in. No dice. Was fishing for another trick to get the cone and side gear to align. Appreciate it.

Last edited by 86camaroZ; Aug 17, 2021 at 04:27 AM.
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Old Aug 23, 2021 | 10:32 PM
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Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 BW 9 bolt
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

What kit did you go with for the rear? I’m doing the upgrade to my 89 trans am gta and can only find kits for the front. I have the front and rear Corvette c5 calipers already. My rear end is a BW 9 bolt.
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Old Aug 27, 2021 | 09:03 PM
  #9  
86camaroZ's Avatar
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From: MI
Car: 86 iroc
Engine: 350 vortec HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 370
Re: 9 Bolt Axle Wont Push In

Originally Posted by Drgnbld
What kit did you go with for the rear? I’m doing the upgrade to my 89 trans am gta and can only find kits for the front. I have the front and rear Corvette c5 calipers already. My rear end is a BW 9 bolt.
email Scott and he can get you sorted out bigbrakeupgrade@gmail.com


https://bigbrakeupgrade.com/product-...982-92-camaro/
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