I bit the bullet and replaced my lower swivel pin bearing today as well as the wheel bearings (both).

However when I went to put it all back together I couldn't get the circlip on the axle shaft - much less the 2 (TWO!) shims that came out with it (I kept the circlip and both shims in a baggie and only did the driver's side.

The circlip will go back, but not even one shim will go. I put a bolt in the end of the shaft and pulled it out as far as it will go.

So I know that some have 1 shim, some have 2 and even some have no shims, but since I pulled two out, I figured 2 should go back, right?

What did I do wrong? I'm pretty certain I got the bearing races back all the way in place which is the only thing I can think that would cause this to not seat right. Should I take it back apart and check those races?

Or did new bearings (the old ones seemed to be fine) push me out so I don't need the shims? I would think I'd need at least one.

 

Nothing? No one has any suggestions? I know about pulling the shaft back out, did that, it just doesn't come back out far enough.

 

Use a bolt off of the hub flange to pull the axle out far enough to put the cir clip back on. Should help