'87 30 spline cherokee Dana 44 axle drum brakes. I just put new bearings and seals on and I am putting the shaft back into the axle. Is the axle all the way in? There is 1/8" or more of the seal sticking out past the drum backing plate. I tapped it with a mallet but nothing changed. I also made sure to put the correct length axle on either side. The retaining plate does not sit flush with the backing plate.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/DSC03075.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/bearings1.jpg

No one knows? WTF. Simple question guys

I am not too familiar with the dana axles, but on some yota axles, the bearing doesn't have a spot to bottom out on when pressing it onto the axle shaft so you need to make a mark with a hacksaw blade to get the new bearing exactly where the old one came off

does the 44 axleshaft have a lip to have the bearing pressed directly up against??? maybe you didn't press the bearing on far enough?

I didn't put a mark where the old bearings were situated. The only lip is where the flange begins. Should I just tap it into the axle tube?