Refitting UJ's with splines to prop? Wont go back in?

[hammoj28]

Hey,

need a bit of advice.

Putting my defender V8 back together at the moment. When we took the engine and box out we left the props on the vehicle. instead we took the universal joint bit with the splines out of the the end of each prop shaft, well the rear one came out with the transfer box.

Problem is, when i try and slide the splined bit back into the shaft i cant seem to push it back in? I have undone the grease nipple but it still wont go back in.

Prob sounds stupid but iv never done this before so not sure how they go back in.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

James.

[western]

IIRC some props have a master spline to aid correct assembly & most splined sections have a Rilsan semi clear coating on them to protect against corrosion, if the coating is damaged it's unlikely the splines will refit back together.

[hammoj28]

Ah, will have a look to see if there is a master spline. The slines themselves look in good condition. Its on a 1993 model if that changes anything.

[western]

either rilsan coating is stopping it sliding back together or it's just a very good fit & might need the assistance of a mallet to get it to slide inj fully.

also there should be a alignment arrow on the shaft tube, make sure this is lined up with it's mate on the splined part.

[hammoj28]

Is the arrow on a plate on the prop? And is the mark on the uj part like a lump in the casting? Cant seem to see anything else.

[western]

it's engraved/stamped into the propshaft. the pic below is of my old front prop, I haven't got the other part to hand, but it should have a similar arrow on it, you might have to do a bit of cleaning to see it.

[hammoj28]

Cool, il go look for it now. Thanks for all the help so far.

[hammoj28]

Still looking for that arrow on the prop, found a black line on the UJ bit though which im assuming is the mark.