I removed the right rear axle on my 2001 F150 in order to replace a leaking seal. I have since replaced the bearings & seal. I am now trying to reinstall the axle but it will not go back in. I crawled under the vehicle and saw that the holes on the top/bottom spider gears and assembly are not aligned and I cannot get reinsert the cross pin back into place.

If I remove the left axle and rotate the drive shaft will the holes re-align or do I need to do something else? Can someone please help me?

Novice Al

 

Maybe insert the pin with the axle out and then insert the axle as far as it will go, pull the pin, complete the axle insertion, clip installation, being careful not to turn the diff, and perhaps the hole will align.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately the differential was turned. Do you know if it is possible to remove the s springs and manually align the top & spider gears with the assembly?