Putting the half-shaft back in...

[Lostboy]

Righty,

I've been rebuilding my nearside swivel (the bearing was shot) so I've got to the point where I have to put the complete half-shaft/cv joint back in. How do you do it and get it located in the diff without knackering the axle oil seal - is there a trick I'm missing?

[Henry Webster]

Can't think of a useful trick - you just need to be quite strong.  The axle oil seal can take a little bit of abuse. Definitely a job that's improved with an extra pair of hands.

H

[Xtremeteam]

yep,not mcuh of a trick to it,get the tip in & slide it home

[Range Rover Blues]

IIRC there is a bronze bearing in the inner end of the swivel to support the half-shaft, this will prevent the oil seal from being damaged.

[Lostboy]

Yeah - thinking for attempt 2 I'll put the shaft through the swivel assy and then mate that up to the axle, that will maybe reduce the risk of knackering the seal - at the expense of knackering my back as I lift it all!