Drive Axle wont seat all the way in - Honda-Acura.net

H.C.I.C. · 07-08-09, 05:02 PM

Hello. I searched on this forum but couldn't find a topic about this. I recently put a new clutch in my 96 civic and started it up without tightening the axle nut. I placed in first gear to see if the cluch and tranny works. I heard a light thud and stopped the engine. I looked down where the axles where and the splines came out a bit.

It popped out a bit but luckily my axle is ok. So now I'm trying to push the drive axle back into the transmission and it won't seat all the way in. Did putting the tranmission in 1st gear lock it up or something?

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Shameinator · 07-09-09, 09:10 PM

pull it out of first gear and put it back into neutral that should solve your problem.

honda newb · 09-17-09, 01:30 PM

actually I'm having the exact same problem in a 97' civic and no matter what I do I cannot get the axle to lock in the tranny, I've gone through three axles now thinkin that was the problem but still nothing, try'd the neutral thing and nothing! I just hope its not the tranny, so If anyone has any advise that might help me get my dd back up in running it would be very much appreciated its been way wayyy to long!

Shameinator · 09-18-09, 12:10 AM

get some spline grease and lube it up and try slipping it back in. it takes a lot to get it in sometimes. You will want to make sure that you didn't screw up the bearing visually check to see if there is any damage. Make sure the axle nut is off also so that you have all the free play you can get.

Line7 · 09-18-09, 09:40 AM

Grease i up and inspect the retaining clip. Try replacing it.

JoePoonani · 09-19-09, 01:02 AM

make sure the retaining clip's open end is facing downward

cruzalekz · 09-19-09, 03:42 PM

u might have to play with the axles for it to go in.. i usually flip the exle nut and hammer it there while twisting the axle at the same time until you got that positive feel of the axle.

honda newb · 09-21-09, 08:14 PM

I've tryed now for days to just wiggle this thing in there, I made sure the clip was facein down(when I put it in atleast, dont know exactly how long it stays like that due to twisting back and forth) but still no luck now my buddie also told me some thing about the axle nut, turnin it backwards and hittin it with a hammer. but not the exact details do I need to have it all setup castle nut on the ball joint and all then hit it from th outside of the caliper?? or do I push that stuff outta the way and kinda hold it and hit it?? also I read on another forum uh he took a 2x4 and had his brother hold it against the cv joint and hit that with a hammer. so you think this would be safe to do or could it possibly damage it further? really I am doing this by myself minus the information from my handy manual and when I sometimes ask my sister to help hold the break and stuff outta my way but you know how that goes... anyway thanks for the info so far plz send more I really need to get this thing going anything helps really I'm down to try just about anything to get this thing running

thanks

honda newb · 09-21-09, 08:21 PM

also I'm thinkin(hoping) its my axle I've heard from many people they can be a pain, but could it possibly be something in the tranny like maybe something stopping it from going in?? I really do hope thats not the case but still ya never know... any info much appreciated and again thanks for everything so far

Shameinator · 09-23-09, 12:15 AM

did you make sure you have the correct axle for your car? They can be a bitch but ou shouldn't be struggling this much. I would hit a balanced rotating piece of a car with a hammer but that just me.

honda newb · 09-23-09, 06:47 PM

what do you mean by that exactly? and yes I'm sure its the right one for the car according to napa and my haynes manual plus as I said before this is my third so I have two others(havent taken back for core yet in case I needed a piece maybe) for caparison and all four match. um anyway I really wish I wasnt have this much trouble with it either but I defiantly am so if anyones got ne help for me let me know

aliientranz · 09-23-09, 10:07 PM

Let me make sure I'm understanding you correctly. Are you having trouble getting the axle to snap into the transmission, or are you having trouble getting it to go through the hub where the brake rotor is? If you didn't have the axle clipped into the trans and started it up and the axle popped out and the splines started rubbing it's possible you damaged the splines, but if you shut it down right away you shouldn't have damaged it that bad. Check the clip on the end of the axle and make sure it's not bent or opened to wide. You just need to use some force sometimes to get that axle in. Have someone pull the wheel bearing and hub out of the way and grab the end of the axle and force it in like you are plunging a toilet. Once it clips in you'll feel it. Don't be afraid to use some force. If you are nervous just get a new axle clip from the dealer it shouldn't be more than a couple bucks.

Shameinator · 09-23-09, 11:15 PM

what I mean is the axle is what rotates your wheel if you hit it with a hammer you risk messing it up and having it wobble not to mention the damage you could cause to your tranny. its never a good idea to force stuff on cars.

aliientranz · 09-24-09, 12:05 AM

Shameinator: I was reffering to the original post, the guy with the problem. I was trying to understand which side of the axle he was having he problem with. I don't mean I want him to take a sledge hammer to the thing I was talking about grabbing it by hand and doing a fast jolt to get it snapped into the trans. If the issue is with the splines and it won't even start to spline into the trans, then yeah you need to be carefull and file the splines to clean them up, or replace the axle. The splines on the differential could have taken a beating as well, and if it got bad enough, then yeah he's in a world of hurt. I've dealt with this situation more than twice, and usually the axle clip just needs to be replaced, but i've always been able to muscle the axle in. Reman axles are cheap from auto parts stores if you are really worried just spend the 50-100 dollars and just replace it.

honda newb · 09-28-09, 04:45 PM

ok so I'm tryin to get the axle in the tranny just so everyones clear. I have bought a new axle actually three new ones lol um and I did have it running and driving I went about 3/4 of a mile and it popped out. so is it possible when it popped out it messed up my tranny? Thanks for all the help so far keep it coming thx

Shameinator · 09-28-09, 06:29 PM

I was reffering to honda newbs post not yours alien but thanks for explaining what you meant.

I would guess you messed up your bearing in your tranny. Take it to a shop figure out whats wrong with it and fix it. You have screwed with it long enough at this point.

aliientranz · 09-30-09, 09:14 PM

I agree, I think you did damage to the splines on the differential, or possible even broke the spider gears. I've seen the pin that goes through the spider gears get worn out really bad before, it's possible that it is what is causing your problem. When that gets worn it allows the spider gears to move up and down. Eventually if it gets bad enough something is going to snap in there. Not saying that is your problem, but it's a possibility. That would be a horrible coincidence for that to happen right after you just replaced the clutch. It really sounds like it's time to have a shop take a look at it and get an opinion from a shop.

09-18-09, 09:40 AM	#5
Line7 Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 942	Grease i up and inspect the retaining clip. Try replacing it. __________________ For Sale: ITR/SiR rear LCA's JDM!!!

09-19-09, 01:02 AM	#6
JoePoonani Lexus Tech y0!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CT Posts: 8,313	make sure the retaining clip's open end is facing downward __________________ 09 Civic EX - current DD 03 VW Jetta Wolfsburg Edition 1.8T APR tuned - totalled 94 Integra LS - sold 94 Civic Ferio - stolen/raped

09-24-09, 12:05 AM	#14
aliientranz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 27	Shameinator: I was reffering to the original post, the guy with the problem. I was trying to understand which side of the axle he was having he problem with. I don't mean I want him to take a sledge hammer to the thing I was talking about grabbing it by hand and doing a fast jolt to get it snapped into the trans. If the issue is with the splines and it won't even start to spline into the trans, then yeah you need to be carefull and file the splines to clean them up, or replace the axle. The splines on the differential could have taken a beating as well, and if it got bad enough, then yeah he's in a world of hurt. I've dealt with this situation more than twice, and usually the axle clip just needs to be replaced, but i've always been able to muscle the axle in. Reman axles are cheap from auto parts stores if you are really worried just spend the 50-100 dollars and just replace it. Last edited by aliientranz; 09-24-09 at 12:07 AM.

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07-09-09, 09:10 PM	#2
Shameinator Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 229	pull it out of first gear and put it back into neutral that should solve your problem.

09-17-09, 01:30 PM	#3
honda newb Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	actually I'm having the exact same problem in a 97' civic and no matter what I do I cannot get the axle to lock in the tranny, I've gone through three axles now thinkin that was the problem but still nothing, try'd the neutral thing and nothing! I just hope its not the tranny, so If anyone has any advise that might help me get my dd back up in running it would be very much appreciated its been way wayyy to long!

09-18-09, 12:10 AM	#4
Shameinator Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 229	get some spline grease and lube it up and try slipping it back in. it takes a lot to get it in sometimes. You will want to make sure that you didn't screw up the bearing visually check to see if there is any damage. Make sure the axle nut is off also so that you have all the free play you can get.

09-19-09, 03:42 PM	#7
cruzalekz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 477	u might have to play with the axles for it to go in.. i usually flip the exle nut and hammer it there while twisting the axle at the same time until you got that positive feel of the axle.

09-21-09, 08:14 PM	#8
honda newb Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	I've tryed now for days to just wiggle this thing in there, I made sure the clip was facein down(when I put it in atleast, dont know exactly how long it stays like that due to twisting back and forth) but still no luck now my buddie also told me some thing about the axle nut, turnin it backwards and hittin it with a hammer. but not the exact details do I need to have it all setup castle nut on the ball joint and all then hit it from th outside of the caliper?? or do I push that stuff outta the way and kinda hold it and hit it?? also I read on another forum uh he took a 2x4 and had his brother hold it against the cv joint and hit that with a hammer. so you think this would be safe to do or could it possibly damage it further? really I am doing this by myself minus the information from my handy manual and when I sometimes ask my sister to help hold the break and stuff outta my way but you know how that goes... anyway thanks for the info so far plz send more I really need to get this thing going anything helps really I'm down to try just about anything to get this thing running thanks

09-21-09, 08:21 PM	#9
honda newb Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	also I'm thinkin(hoping) its my axle I've heard from many people they can be a pain, but could it possibly be something in the tranny like maybe something stopping it from going in?? I really do hope thats not the case but still ya never know... any info much appreciated and again thanks for everything so far

09-23-09, 12:15 AM	#10
Shameinator Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 229	did you make sure you have the correct axle for your car? They can be a bitch but ou shouldn't be struggling this much. I would hit a balanced rotating piece of a car with a hammer but that just me.

09-23-09, 06:47 PM	#11
honda newb Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	what do you mean by that exactly? and yes I'm sure its the right one for the car according to napa and my haynes manual plus as I said before this is my third so I have two others(havent taken back for core yet in case I needed a piece maybe) for caparison and all four match. um anyway I really wish I wasnt have this much trouble with it either but I defiantly am so if anyones got ne help for me let me know

09-23-09, 10:07 PM	#12
aliientranz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 27	Let me make sure I'm understanding you correctly. Are you having trouble getting the axle to snap into the transmission, or are you having trouble getting it to go through the hub where the brake rotor is? If you didn't have the axle clipped into the trans and started it up and the axle popped out and the splines started rubbing it's possible you damaged the splines, but if you shut it down right away you shouldn't have damaged it that bad. Check the clip on the end of the axle and make sure it's not bent or opened to wide. You just need to use some force sometimes to get that axle in. Have someone pull the wheel bearing and hub out of the way and grab the end of the axle and force it in like you are plunging a toilet. Once it clips in you'll feel it. Don't be afraid to use some force. If you are nervous just get a new axle clip from the dealer it shouldn't be more than a couple bucks.

09-23-09, 11:15 PM	#13
Shameinator Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 229	what I mean is the axle is what rotates your wheel if you hit it with a hammer you risk messing it up and having it wobble not to mention the damage you could cause to your tranny. its never a good idea to force stuff on cars.

09-28-09, 04:45 PM	#15
honda newb Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	ok so I'm tryin to get the axle in the tranny just so everyones clear. I have bought a new axle actually three new ones lol um and I did have it running and driving I went about 3/4 of a mile and it popped out. so is it possible when it popped out it messed up my tranny? Thanks for all the help so far keep it coming thx

09-28-09, 06:29 PM	#16
Shameinator Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 229	I was reffering to honda newbs post not yours alien but thanks for explaining what you meant. I would guess you messed up your bearing in your tranny. Take it to a shop figure out whats wrong with it and fix it. You have screwed with it long enough at this point.

09-30-09, 09:14 PM	#17
aliientranz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 27	I agree, I think you did damage to the splines on the differential, or possible even broke the spider gears. I've seen the pin that goes through the spider gears get worn out really bad before, it's possible that it is what is causing your problem. When that gets worn it allows the spider gears to move up and down. Eventually if it gets bad enough something is going to snap in there. Not saying that is your problem, but it's a possibility. That would be a horrible coincidence for that to happen right after you just replaced the clutch. It really sounds like it's time to have a shop take a look at it and get an opinion from a shop.