willysmjeeps.com

Hello all- new rear hubs for a Dana 44 axle came in today for my 1952 M38A1. Ready to complete the work on the rear axle and get her back on the road, I slid the new hubs onto the axle shafts and to my dismay both of them will not fully slide into place. They appear to have about 1/4 of an inch to go but refuse to do so, even with a tap from a mallet.

Confused as to why this is, I decided to see if the old ones would slide back into the proper place but when I tried, these too fell short by about 1/4 of an inch. I should note that pulling the old hubs off was incredibly difficult--ended up ruining the threads on the heavy duty puller designed for the Jeep because it took such force to get them off. (It felt as thought they were pressed on!)

So here is what im hung up on...if the new AND old hubs both fall short about 1/4 of an inch on both the LH and RH axle shafts, it would appear that the axle shafts themselves are slightly too big. Has anyone run into this problem? Am I to assume I need new axle shafts?

I have checked to make sure the hubs were not catching or getting stopped by improperly seated bearings by taking the grease slinger and gaskets as well as the break assembly off so I can visually inspect as I slide the hubs on--they are not being impeded.

I also know to slide the key into the keyway after one gets the hub into place--i know often times it will be near impossible to get a hub on if you try and put the key in at the same time.

Thanks to any and all who have some much needed advice!
-WDM

What are you using as a reference for "about a 1/4 of an inch to go"?

Essentially, the hubs ARE pressed on, with a minimum torque of the axle nut of 150 lb-ft on a fine thread creating a substantial axial force on the tapered joint.

Hi Jim, thanks for posting. When I say a 1/4 of an inch to go i am referring to the remaining distance the hub has to be pushed onto the axle to return it to the position it was in before I pulled it.

I had tried using medium pressure on the axle nut as a way to "press" the hub on but shied off because I did not know if this was a good thing to do. From what you say it sounds as though I should apply more pressure that way. Ill give it a try tomorrow.

Many thanks,
WDM