D28 Driver's Side Axle STUCK inside Diff!?

[atvkid4eva]

Ok guys i just bought an 89' Ranger with 8" of lift for an offroad truck..and of course it has a wimpy D28 and came with the Driver's side axle snapped which i knew was common and was going to just get one from a junkyard..so i got one from a yard and took everything apart on the drivers side to replace the shaft..i took the 5 or so bolts off the hub chissled it off and removed the broken piece of axle..I then proceeded to pull the shaft out and it was stuck inside the pumpkin! im aware of the c-clip on the passengers side but thought the drivers sisde should just slide out? i tryed prying it and tapping it with a hammer it will move in and out about 1 inch but then it stops and wont come out? truck sat for about a year before i bought it i believe...Could there be a locker? or some other hillbilly contraption in there? the shaft spins fine when the driveshaft is turned..im stumped guys anyone have this problem before? i will upgrade to a 35 eventually but cant afford it right now..so any help is appreciated thanks!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Perhaps when the shaft broke the splines twisted inside the spider gear in the differential.

 

[Boggin]

Could there be a locker or some other hillbilly contraption in there?

 

[CopyKat]

There is an oil seal. The broken part is likely getting hung up on that. The seal opening is a bit smaller than the shaft dia. this ensures a snug seal.

May have to remove the seal. If the shaft broke it's likely munched the seal anyway.

 

[atvkid4eva]

my first thought was that the splines did get twisted and mesh with the spider gear...is there movement in the spider? could that be what i am feeling? it definetly seems like it dosent wanna let go of the spider gear..im not sure...i put a flashlight in there and the seal is a little chewed up but is not what it is getting caught on..i mean it is REALLY stuck! lol anyone else?

 

[atvkid4eva]

haha Boggin you like that quote huh? not saying im not a redneck hillbilly haha

 

[atvkid4eva]

but...why would the splines twist in the spider if they fit snug as it is what would of allowed for the extra movement for them to mesh?

 

[86ford]

I will revert back to what I guessed previously. The diff had collected water at some point in time before it was parked and had caused the shaft to rust to the spider gear.

86

 

[atvkid4eva]

yeah chuck your prolly right...once i get some money i will be giving you a call to hit up pull a part for a d35...was just trying to see if this exact problem had happened to anyone else.

 

[atvkid4eva]

anyone ever have this happen and know why for sure? BUMP

 

[Jspafford]

Wasted post.

anyone ever have this happen and know why for sure? BUMP

I've never heard of this happening before. Please let us know what you find. With such a big lift it shouldn't be hard to drop the 3rd member.

 

[atvkid4eva]

yep theres tons of room to work under there..will eventaully drop the third member when i get time.and will post the results thanks

 

[arren]

this same thing happened to me on my 83. i just got a new pumpkin from a junkyard and dropped the drivers side beam and replaced it

 

[atvkid4eva]

interesting...when you dropped the old pumpkin what was causing the axle to be "stuck" inside?

 

[arren]

i couldnt figure it out. i couldnt see anything that would be keeping it in there and i was anxious to get my 4wd goin so i just took it to a junkyard and was done with it.