Putting new axles in and one spider gear came out

[HeavyHauler]

I was installing new axles into my 1968 Chevy C10 SWB with 12 bolt rear. I got one of the axles in and installed the C-clip but when I went to put the other axle in I must have bumped the spider gear and it came out of the rear end.

Can somebody tell me how to put it back in?

[AussieinNC]

Line the spider gear up with its mating gears and turn the installed axle slowly,,,the gear should mesh into place....

You could put a little grease on the back of the gear to hold it in place while you install the other axle...

Did you put a little grease inside the cages of the axle bearings?

[LS short box]

Also make sure you get the concave washers that go between the spider gear and the case in place. Getting the spider gear in is a bit of a pain because if they aren't directly across from each other you can't get the cross pin back in.

[HeavyHauler]

I appreciate the help guys but I got that spider gear back in earlier after my initial panic. LOL. I just went back out to the garage and figured it out right after posting this.

[HeavyHauler]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Line the spider gear up with its mating gears and turn the installed axle slowly,,,the gear should mesh into place....

You could put a little grease on the back of the gear to hold it in place while you install the other axle...

Did you put a little grease inside the cages of the axle bearings?

I installed brand new axle bearings and seals. Thanks for asking and yes I put some gear lube on the bearings and put a little on the lip of the seal before installing the axles.

[HeavyHauler]

Originally Posted by LS short box

Also make sure you get the concave washers that go between the spider gear and the case in place. Getting the spider gear in is a bit of a pain because if they aren't directly across from each other you can't get the cross pin back in.

I didnt see any concave washer fall out and didnt see anything laying on the garage floor either or in the differential housing either. I will double check to make sure I didnt miss anything though and thanks!

[Redneck Rydes]

Concave washer probally stayed in there with the gear oil stuck to it,it is fairly thin.

[AussieinNC]

I have seen gear sets both with a concave washer and without....
the washer is used to set the gear backlash and occasionally to take up wear points in the housing....

The washer is the size on the rear face of the spider gear and is only about 1/16" in thickness....double check the interior of the spider housing to make sure it hasnt rolled around as the gear was pushed back in...