Does this look right?

I'm just about finished changing out the axle on my alltrac and I am not sure if the axle is properly installed. There seems to be a bit of a gap on both ends...Does this look right?

Kinda hard to tell from the pics, but it looks good on my crappy monitor. The stub isn't flush with the splines in the hub, but the axle nut will draw that out.

Looks OK. Did the boot slip some and make you worry?

Did you lay the new and old ones side by side before you started? Looks OK to me but I didn't take it apart.

Dan

Both were the same size, I just wanted to make sure as the stub wasn't sitting flush with the splines in the hub. thanks guys

Bolt it up and drop it down.

If you are unsure, do what I do anytime I'm not sure about the integrity of a repair; let the wife drive it first

Should I tighten the axle nut as best as I can while it is in the air? Or should I just wait and tighten the crap our of it once the tire is installed and is on the ground? (currently waiting for the tranny fluid to drain)

I torque it in the air, usually prop a pry-bar between the seat and brake pedal. There have been times when it'll only torque on the ground though.

DrBoost wrote: If you are unsure, do what I do anytime I'm not sure about the integrity of a repair; let the wife drive it first

This needs to be in the "Say What?" column.

DrBoost wrote: I torque it in the air, usually prop a pry-bar between the seat and brake pedal. There have been times when it'll only torque on the ground though.

Is one method better than the other? Or will either method tighten just the same?

I've found that dropping a good HD screwdriver in the blades of the rotor via the brake caliper tends to keep things from turning when installing or removing axle nuts on FWD cars.

It's always safer to tighten it on the ground. Always.

Smog, I think the best and safest way (thanks mr2peak) is to do it on the ground. I've done many, many of these in the shop on a hoise that doing it with the wheel off is my habit. If the car as an alloy wheel with a center hole too small for a 30+mm socket I'm not digging out the spare tire just to torque the nut.
so, chaulk it up to the fact that I'm lazy.

DeadSkunk wrote:

DrBoost wrote: If you are unsure, do what I do anytime I'm not sure about the integrity of a repair; let the wife drive it first

This needs to be in the "Say What?" column.

Thanks Skunk, I take that as a compliment.

I would pound on the trans side myself a little more. You want to make sure it clips in right other wise it can pull out under droop, cause the fuild to drain and ruin your trans. Learned that one the hard way, wouldn't want you to have to learn it as well.