AMC20 axle locker intstall problem

[njjeep]

i went to put new alloy axle one piece axles along with an aussie locker in my amc20. i installed the locker first which went in fine than i put in the driver side axle and it went in fine also. it took a couple good hits with a hammer to get it to fully seat. when i went to put in the driver side it would not go in at all. so i took the locker apart and pulled the axles out again. the side gears are really tight going over the splines i cant even get the side gear on over the passenger side (even after hitting it with a hammer) axle but the stock spider gears slide right on. any suggestions or comments appreciated.

[runemuck]

try the drivers side shaft in the side of the locker that wont go??..that should be the proof

[njjeep]

i cant since the driver side is shorter than the passenger side

[runemuck]

sorry I thought you had it back out...I guess I am as lost as you..the obvious..have you compared the splines??sorry i am not more help

[nhgpnut]

You should definitely not need a hammer. Call the vendor, sounds screwed up to me. The new splines will be tighter but not that tight. Slide your old shaft in to the locker and see if it fits the splines.

[njjeep]

yeah the splines are the same i guess in need to contact aussie locker to see why the side gears are so ridiculously tight going over the splines

has anyone have this or have not had this problem with any aussie

[nhgpnut]

Will your old axle shaft slide into the locker?

[njjeep]

i dont know i will check tomorrow

thanks for the help.

if its the locker i might just put the spider gears back in and lincoln lock it for now

[njjeep]

i did some tests today.
the original spider gears slide on the old axles and the new alloy axles with no effort.
the Aussie locker side gears slide on the old axles fine but they do not want to slide over the splines of the new axles even when hitting them on with a wooden block.

so now i am really confused

[jeeperman19]

I have the Aussie and superior axles in my junk, all went in smoothly...maybe try running your old shafts for a little while to loosen up the locker???

[MonsterSeven]

i say put your aussie back in. with your axles still out, do a side by side comparison of the splines, the length, etc. put your 2 pieceers back in there and loosen up the locker for the break in period which is 500 miles i believe. good luck.

[njjeep]

doesnt the locker part of the aussie break in not the splines that accept the axles.

also my brake backing plates are now pressed on my new axles and i would have to buy new bearings for the 2 piece axles which i dont want to do.

my friend suggested putting the axles in a deep freezer overnight and trying to put them in the morning

[runemuck]

Have you talked to Bill at aussie or the axle people?? I am getting ready to put in a aussie so I am following this

[njjeep]

i emailed aussie today and alloy says since my stock gears slide on fine it is the locker. so we will see what aussie says tommorow.

i might just take a file to the splines i need to get these axles in.

[runemuck]

whats the latest??

[Warpig58]

I wouldn't freeze the axles. If you ever need to get them back out you'd have to heat the locker while it's still installed.

[fishotro]

Sounds like the locker is a tad to small. Use emery cloth to open it up about .005, and do the same to the shafts, basically hone it.

Should work, make it happen.

[aussielocker]

The problem is that these Moser aftermarket axles have a slightly different ramp on the axle spline than the OEM axle design and since the Aussie Locker is a precision locker and designed around the tolerances of an OEM axle, the Moser is incompatible with the locker. In the past we have seen communications from Moser indicating they had a manufacturing issue at some point with AMC20 axles, but we are not suggesting that this is what is going on here as that would be up Moser to confirm or refute. But the Aussie Locker is within spec.

[njjeep]

raining today so i got nothing done but i will be trying the emery cloth tomorrow and i will report back asap

[MonsterSeven]

that might void the warranty of the aussie locker...

[fishotro]

MosterSeven is probably right.

I really don't know what to tell you, if it where me, I would hone it. But I run welded spider gears.

I do plan on an aussie up front later though.

[njjeep]

finally got them to slide right in.

I filed the axle splines, than used 350 sandpaper and wire wheeled the splines until they where smooth.

thanks for all of the advice.