Has anyone attempted to use a pneumatic hammer with a bearing/race driver to install these?

 

Installed 3 sets of these. We used a brass race driver and a 8 lb sledge. Freeze and lube helped a little. The biggest thing that helped was cleaning the tubes really well. If you have an older jk make sure to clean the first couple of inches of the tube since it may have rust build up. Not sure about using pneumatic tools though.

 

Thanks for the info. I will be sure to do that. Anyone used a pneumatic hammer for the install out there?

 

Good info! Im doing this soon as well and hope it goes simply...

 

do you need to drain the diff? I have my Nitro sleeves just sittin waiting for me to get it done.

 

You do not have to drain the diff. Clean the stock axle tube good and use a product like PB Blaster lubricant or Wd. Its a bitch to hammer them in but they will go. The short drivers side went in easier for me. Even the passenger tube goes in pretty smooth till you get to the knurles or ridges on the Nitro Tubes. Its just the last 4 or 5 inches thats a pain.

 

okay thanks, that's what I figured. Yeah I've seen that most people installing these say the same thing about the knurled ends being the toughest point for install.

 

That's what I've heard. A couple have mentioned taking a Dremel to the first two inches of the outer portion of the axle tube. I guess there is a small ridge in there from welding when they manufactured them. Thanks for the tips.

 

When i hosted a install party to do 5+ sleeves on a weekend,several ideas came up including a jackhammer due amount of effort to drive them in.In all,i custom built a tool to drive them in plus a 20lb BFH made life easy

 

I've seen the video you guys put together. Nice job! I don't have any welding experience to make such a tool however.