Hey guys,
I've spent the last few days working on my old 86 Samurai (I've owed it since 1989) attempting to rebuild it's front end with a wheel bearing and knuckle kit. I have replaced all bearings and races with new ones and have greased and reassembled everything.... My problem is after torquing the axle nut to the required 57 lbs then adding the lock washer and second nut I don't have enough room to slip on the circular retaining clip at the end of the axle... I need another 3/32" or so to accomplish this.
Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is? It's making me very nuts.

Also I have a rookie question about the inter wheel bearing grease seal... Does the rubber side of the seal with the circular coiled spring in it face towards the inter bearing or away? Nothing is mentioned in the manual or on the seal box. I installed it as described above (towards).


As always thanks for any help,
Dennis

I'm guessing the clip that you are talking about is in the middle of the locking hub, the other hub that it hooks to might be sticking out too much maybe the bearing races are not seated, try torqueing the 2" nut (just one for now) to 150 lbs or so to make sure that they are seated then take them back to 57 lbs. see how that does.p.s. oh ya the spring faces inward, gets grease on it, LOL.

yep. it sounds like you may need to pull it back apart again. youve either got a bearng race not seated all the way, the axle shaft isnt pulled out far enough or the knuckle isnt on all the way. ive had mine apart a few times and they always went back together just fine. i cant think of anything that would cause your issue other than whats been said or maybe the axle bushing is hanging up somewhere.

the seal goes on with the spring to the inside of the hub facing the inner wheel bearing. flat side out.

Thanks guys for your expertise and knowledge.... I will be heading out to the shop right now to give it another try. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Again thanks,
Dennis

I took it all apart and reassembled it again only this time I made sure the joint/axle was pulled all the way out.... That was the problem. Thanks again for your help.

Dennis