1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse AWD LSD REAR AXLE REPLACEMENT

THEROBVOLTA

MEMBER
1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
130,000 MILES

I replaced the rear axle and wheel bearing on my 1996 mitsubishi eclipse. I had to special order a rear axle that was for the LSD diff on the vehicle. It came as a half shaft. So I had to reuse the diff side bearing and attach it to the shaft with the snap ring, and put a new boot on it with some grease. When I put everything back together I got into my car and put it in gear and it doesn't want to move. And I don't want to force it.

What could I have done wrong? I made sure the axle was secure in the diff it popped in with the ring on the end. Im halfway back to taking it out again and trying. Could I have torqued the axle nut too much while only the rear wheel passenger side was on a jack stand? I torqued the bolt to 175ft lbs. Could I possibly have messed up my diff even though I didn't drive it?

The previous axle was not broken in any way. The previous owner stripped out the end where the 32mm bolt would go on. It was so bad and mushroomed it had to be replaced.

Any help would be appreciated thank you!

3 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

There are two different types of shafts for this car. One has to be scribed so it goes back together the same way and the axle needs to be adjusted out prior to putting boot clamp back on. The snap ring that you put on may have slipped out of the spider so that may be why it doesn't work. Of course we do not know what you have done either nor what type of axle you have. Se pic

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Thursday, November 7th, 2013 AT 5:56 AM

THEROBVOLTA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

That is exactly how I put it back together. Thank you for the nice diagram its perfect. Is it possible that I put the boot on the diff side a little too far down the axle?

I took it all apart again today. This time I put a jack stand on both sides of the car. After I put both the wheels on I put the vehicle in neutral. And spun the opposite wheel side and the other wheel moved. So it seems as if it is seated properly.

It was a rather expensive replacement, the only replacement axle I could find for the LSD Rear end in the eclipse. They assured me that I could replace one side with this and it would be fine, even though it is a more "heavy duty" axle.

Im so stuck here, when I first started the vehicle I pumped the brakes pretty tight to get the caliper pressure back up. Could I have maybe seized a brake on the car?

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Thursday, November 7th, 2013 AT 7:49 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Youi wouldn't have seized the brake just maybe it needed some initial movement. You really shouldn't push them tight anyhow, just get the brake pedal up and when you drive it normally then do a few stops after it moves. What may have happened is the boot has to be adjusted so it may not had enough length to seat it self inside the rear end. I doubt you did any damage. The axle that you bought is a good one as it's already has hardened steel then hardened more to take abuse but the weak spot is always the joint. Sounds like you are on the right track.

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Friday, November 8th, 2013 AT 6:44 AM