Nitro sleeve installation
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
I have to say the install of mine did not go as smooth as I read here. It makes me wonder if my axle tubes were bent a little. I froze the sleeves for days prior to install and cleaned the tubes well. Made a tool to bang them in with black steel pipe. After a lot of banging with a15lb sledge hammer the tool was so warped and the sledge hammer handle broke I almost didn't get them all the way in. <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=559895"/>
I hammered the first time and it was a few minutes of work each side. Second time, I went with the air hammer idea and it took about 10 seconds per side.
Dry ice and air hammer for the win.
JK Junkie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,539
Likes: 2
From: Tempe AZ
Froze as in freezer at 32 degrees or froze as in dry ice at -109 degrees? HUGE difference. The sleeves are an intolerance fit. A regular freezer won't cut it. Dry ice or liquid nitrogen (since it's not practical to evenly heat the axle housing). Also, metal conducts heat extremely fast. You have about 15 seconds before they expand.
I hammered the first time and it was a few minutes of work each side. Second time, I went with the air hammer idea and it took about 10 seconds per side.
Dry ice and air hammer for the win.
I hammered the first time and it was a few minutes of work each side. Second time, I went with the air hammer idea and it took about 10 seconds per side.
Dry ice and air hammer for the win.
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 505
Likes: 4
From: Anaheim, ca
What are the chances I could barrow that for a weekend? I'm happy to put a deposit on it. I'm in anaheim if anyone else wants to come over, we can knock out a couple rigs in a day.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 566
Likes: 2
From: South Bay-Los Angeles
Use an air hammer and plenty of high pressure grease. I didn't freeze and it went right in...nice and snug.
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Broomfield, CO
When I installed mine I froze the sleeves, used anti seize as a lube.l and used a harbor freight bearing race driver. But I think most importantly is that most all of the videos I see people are trying to hammer them into the axle without really immobilizing the axle. If the axle assembly can move at all when you hit the sleeve with a hammer that's that much less energy that goes into driving the sleeve. I actually removed my front axle and stood it on end while supporting it solidly on the ground. I think that makes a big difference as well. Find a way to prevent the axle from moving as a reaction to you hammering on the sleeve and you might not have to hit it as many times.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 566
Likes: 2
From: South Bay-Los Angeles
When I installed mine I froze the sleeves, used anti seize as a lube.l and used a harbor freight bearing race driver. But I think most importantly is that most all of the videos I see people are trying to hammer them into the axle without really immobilizing the axle. If the axle assembly can move at all when you hit the sleeve with a hammer that's that much less energy that goes into driving the sleeve. I actually removed my front axle and stood it on end while supporting it solidly on the ground. I think that makes a big difference as well. Find a way to prevent the axle from moving as a reaction to you hammering on the sleeve and you might not have to hit it as many times. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk