I am new to 8 3/4" (hell, new to mopar). I swapped my original 2.76 open for a 3.23 Sure Grip third member. I bought a different unit, I didn't re-gear my old case.

When I attempted to re-install my axles, they seem to bottom out about an inch too soon. The splines are correct, turning the axle turns the pinion yoke as it is supposed to, it just will not seat down far enough.

I figured my new third member would allow the axles to seat at the same depth as the old one. What am I doing wrong?

I somewhat recall hearing about this situation before, but couldn't re-find it in my searches. Thanks for any help!

I attached a picture of the port in my new third member where the axle slides in.

 

Measure the depth with a tape measure to see if there is a difference between the two cases.

 

i never ran into that problem. but ive only changed 3~4

 

I made the swap from a 2.76 open to a 3.23 Sure Grip and the axles slid back in without any problems.

 

I've ran into a problem like this,

In some of the 3rd members, there are these little things that are in the axle hole. I'm not sure if they're removable or not. They will stop the axles from sealing in.

But you may also just need to give the axles a slight "PUSH" to make them slide in and seal.

Compare your 2 3rd members to make sure.

 

I,ve had that problem once, I twisted the axles. Make sure both sets of splines are lined up in the center section, and check splines on axles.

Good Luck Ernie

 

These are called thrust buttons and need to be there to set your axle end play, if you are running the OEM tapered roller bearings. IF you have green axle bearings then you will need to remove the thrust buttons as they are no longer needed. Your axles should be fine as long as you are using the same ones.

 

This is most likely your problem. There is 2 sets of splines to set the axle in, try rotating them and pushing them in at the same time. If this does not work, remove the center section and put it on the bench and pull an axle and work them into alignment on the bench and reinstall.

 

Yep! I'm pretty sure that was the problem. A little more twisting and they pushed right in. I think the last time I did it I must have just gotten lucky that both were lined up.

Thanks for the help everyone.