Gen 1 - How To Get Spider Gears Back In differential?

[ScottM713]

Well.. fixing up a differential whine.. fixed everything and bolting it back up. The spider gears came loose. Can't figure out how to get them back in.. everything I find on the internet is refering to basic F-150 9.75" that doesn't have the electronic locker. When I attempt to do it the basic F-150 way, it doesn't seem to work (using a bolt and compressing the gears outward, which should allow for the spider gears to go back in. I noticed that my locker isn't really compressing. Any tips?

 

[ScottM713]

Nevermind.. .figured it out.. It was actually easier than regular F-150. I just put in the driver side axle, installed the c clip, pull the axle out to compress the locker gear or whatever it is called - then I was able to get the spider gears in.

 

[EricM]

For those reading this in the future having issues with the axle not moving inward enough to put clips on, just rotate the axle a bit. The heads for the lugs on the back of the axle flange can hit parts of the backing plate and keep it from moving in as far as you you need it to put the c-clip in.

Been there, done that. WTF'ed for a good 10 minutes.