Replacing balljoints, and can't for the life of me get the short-side axle shaft back in. The splines are somehow magnetized and want to stick to the inside of the tube. I can get it by the oil seal with some difficulty, but no dice on into the diff. Any ideas?

 

magnetized?? pull your axle shaft out and shine a light into the housing. if you look real carefully, i'll bet you'll see a plastic ring inside near the axle seal. you need to reach in there with something like a coat hanger and remove it as it's preventing you from reinstalling your axle shaft.

 

Yep magnetized. I will check for the plastic ring. Thanks

 

okay, just checkin - either way, that shouldn't make a difference and your axle shaft should just ramp up and go into your carrier. the plastic ring getting in the way of the shaft is a common problem and something that's easy to over look.

 

You were right on! I got extra lucky and had to remove two of them...



And here is visual evidence of the magnetized axle shaft...



Thanks again

 

LOL!! i believe you, it's definitely magnetized
still, it shouldn't make a difference in the installation of your shafts.
glad that i was able to help you out