71 k10 dana 44 help
 

ok so i have a 71 k10 with a dana 44. my axle shaft u joint broke and the shaft was done...got a new shaft installed a new u joint. put the shaft in all go so far. then when i install the spindle and tighten the bolts down the shaft wont turn by hand like the other side. put a pry bar in turned it, but its not right . lets the bolts off shaft is all good again...what is going on??? the dust shield goes on after the spindle does it not ? ive looked at lots of dana blow aparts and the show the dust shield going on after the spindle. am i wrong? what is going on here??? i need help and thanx for it....:gmc2: ok so my dust shield was def on after the spindle... what am i doing wrong?

Re: 71 k10 dana 44 help
 

How is your spindle bearing ? Is the spindle setting flush against the knuckle ?

Re: 71 k10 dana 44 help
 

assuming it's still a 71 front diff you should have a seal on the inboard side of the spindle, a pound in type seal that keeps dirt out of the spindle bearing. there should also be a thrust washer on the axle shaft and a sleeve that goes into the seal when the spindle is tightened down. it is a tight fit when all components are brand new. hopefully your replacement shaft is a 71-72 and not a 73 up, they are totally different and NOT interchangeable, if it is a 73 up shaft you need the spindle and seal for that type shaft.

Re: 71 k10 dana 44 help
 

It is a 71 axle.. so your saying if all is new it's ok to be so tight that the axle takes a pry bar to spin it ?

Re: 71 k10 dana 44 help
 

Ok so just to put a end to the thread. I had the seal on the shaft.and the PO added another seal to the spindle. When I was trying to tighten it up it was sandwiching them together so tight that the shaft couldn't move free. ( by hand)....if it was on the road it would have easy but I wanted it right . Thanx for the help ...now I have another problem. ...lol new thread. ..hubs