Need some assistance with a troublesome half-shaft....

[jquirit]

Hey all. I got the half-shafts from NAPA (they cut me a smokin' deal on them) but I've ran into a snag. I've managed to get the driver side in but I'm having an issue with the passenger side. The first inch of the spline goes in easy, then it seizes up solid and I can't get it to budge. I checked the splines and they appear all clean, so I can't figure out (for the life of me) what it's binding up on.

I really don't want to really start hammering away too hard at it and damage the half-shaft (or the bearing). Been using a mini-sledge and a piece of wood but it's just not going in any further (this was after 4-5 hours of dickin' with it... inspect/tweak it, install it, remove it, wash, rinse, repeat). I even took a Dremel tool to what I thought might be an imperfection that would be binding it up but it still didn't go any further.

If there is anybody out there that'd love to lend a hand (I'm out in Forest Grove), I'd greatly appreciate it. I'll even provide beer and pizza (just need to tell me what kind of beer/pizza you'd prefer).

[Matt-B]

they sell spline lube, its like anti seize, same basic principle, try this first.

Its often sold with clutch kits, etc

[Jand3rson]

The first inch of the spline goes in easy, then it seizes up solid and I can't get it to budge.

Spit on it and tell it you really do love it. That usually seems to work.

[jquirit]

Tried the anti-sieze. It's still binding up pretty hard. How hard was it for you folks to install your half-shafts? I'm using a 3 lb mini-sledge and a piece of 2x4 and it's barely moving. At this rate, it'll take 5 hrs to install the passenger side, if ever.

[CorvallisBMW]

damn, mine have always slid right in. Sorry I don't have any ideas :(

[Matt-B]

get a wire brush and clean the splines...Im out of ideas, id just clean the splines on car and axle and see if it matters

[LuckyHenriksen]

If I had better ideas than the sledge/2x4 trick I would come over and help but I can't think of any :(

[redhatpat]

Make sure the hub splines are clean. Take a V shaped file to them if you have to to straighten them out - but do this very carefully and clean out any metal filings in there before putting the drive shaft back in.

[jquirit]

Before I started installing it, I took a wire brush to the splines and cleaned it out. Looking at it, it looks pretty clean on the hub side. I'll have to remove the anti-sieze and clean it again.

Also, called up NAPA and they'd say they'd exchange it since it's defective with the casting issues I've found with it. we'll see how it goes after that. Now going to have to wait 4-5 days for the new part to come in.

Thanks for all the assistance, guys. You've all been a big help. I just want this done so I can finally finish assembling the rear end (Billy Sports, H&R Sports, new RSMs, new sway bar links, new brake pads, new brake rotors, new braided brake lines, new half-shafts).