Driver's Side Axle Replacement

Should be gap and not leaking

 

You should feel it snap in. You'll see the clip on the splined part of axel.
When you have it in all the way, you'll feel it "snap" or click in place. You can pull on the axel
and it should a little, but not pop out.

 

If you grab the inboard joint, give it a moderate tug, and it does not come out - it is fine.

On an unrelated note, why did you replace the axle? These axles can be easily rebuilt with a quality boot kit from Toyota for about $60. The only tools you need are a set of cv boot pliers, a sharp chisel and a hammer.

 

You have to be able to put it in a vise to hold it still while you smack the inner race to pop it off the axel.
If you are NOT replacing the boot, you don't have to do that.
I had to replace the outer boot on mine. It was NOT fun! I had to drill out my bench and find bolts that fit so
I could bolt my vice to it.
Next time I replace front wheel bearings, I'll be MORE careful holding the axel out of the way! I pinched the boot.

 

The outer joint does not need to be removed. After the inboard joint is removed, use a sharp chisel and gently tap off the tripod. Next, remove the damper. After that, you can slide the outer boot off of the shaft while keeping the outer joint attached.

I just rebooted a Camry axle on Friday with the same setup as the Prius.

 

Are you sure you got the correct replacement axle - all dimensions matching the original? Who is the manufacturer?

Maybe you damaged the seal? I would not pound the axle in, for risk of deforming something important.

 

If it is the correct axel, and should be since you took it out and just replaced the boots????
Then the seal is either damaged, or worn. Time for a new one.
Pounding is not really good, nor should it be needed. You should be able to just push
the axel in, or shove it in...

 

Maybe autozone, oreillies, napa??? Toyota might be open today. They might have one.

 

If you still have the old axle, measure the distance between the dust shield and the end. Make sure it's the same, and also make sure the contact area was not machined too rough on the replacement axle. If those two things check out, then you probably have a damaged axle seal.

Also, you sometimes have to tap on the axle for it to fully seat inside of the trans. This is very dependent on the condition of the snap ring. I like to screw the old axle nut onto the end of the axle and give it a few taps with a mini-sledge as this will always seat the axle.

 

Super price on OTC Tools 7509 at ToolTopia.com