Need help!!!!!

Im installing my axleshafts and for the life of me i cant get the c-clip back on the spline on the end of the axle! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Anyone who has replaced their axleshafts, please respond with tips on getting the c-clip back on. When using needle nose pliers, the large ring gear is in the way, not allowing for a straight fit into the grooves. Im a strong guy, so its not a matter of more muscle-power.

[whunter]

Egad, I gave an answer for some older domestic half shafts.
Sorry for the mixup.
Hope all is well.

[Lycoming-8]

Is the groove clearly visible or do you have issues with the shaft seating properly in the pinion gear? I was told that you should fit the clip up to the slot and with an appropriate small hammer just tap it home. Seems like you might need three hands to use a hammer and drift punch sitting in the "loop" or small hole used to remove the clip earlier in the process. Hope this helps and you are successful, am looking at the same job in a few days!!!

The shaft is seated as far as i can physically seat it in the pinion. The groove for the c-clip is visible. Ill try using a small hammer to tap it on.
whunter, Thanks for making that graphic, but i dont understand it. How do the spoons work?

[Lycoming-8]

Local Indie has indicated a number of items for me to check on doing this job. Item 5 was:

"Ensure that the axle clip is fully-seated in groove. Check the force required to turn the clip. There should be no noticeable end play. The locking ring should just barely turn in the groove. If required, install thicker or thinner spacing ring."

Ibe300D,

You may have a too thick spacing ring!?! If you have a shop manual or look at the on line one, it shows where that spacing ring goes.

Originally posted by Lycoming-8
Ibe300D,
You may have a too thick spacing ring!?! If you have a shop manual or look at the on line one, it shows where that spacing ring goes.

i thought the same thing. i tried installing it without the spacer and the clip went right on, but you could rotate it fairly easily on the shaft, however there was no end play. I dont know if i should leave it or keep trying with the spacer. For clarification, Im using the carquest units and the spacer came off the old axles.

[Lycoming-8]

Yeah, my Indie friend says "just move the spacer from old shaft to new one."

However, I'm thinking that manufacturing differences may require a different spacer. Not sure about how thick or thin or where to try to obtain one if it would be necessary!?!

Im still struggling with this c-clip. I wasnt comfortable leaving it without the spacer installed, so i put the spacer back on. With the spacer installed, the c-clip groove is visible, but just not enough to get the clip in the groove. So, this time with the spacer installed, I put the other end of the axle in the hub and used a brass drift and hammer to see if I could pound it in...... Guess what? No luck.

Originally posted by Lycoming-8
Local Indie has indicated [...] If required, install thicker or thinner spacing ring."

This may be the next step. Any idea where to get a spacer ring?

[Lycoming-8]

Well you might check with the folks here at Fastlane. If that does not get you help I suppose the dealer in your area might have what you need.

FWIW.....I have measured two of mine; and eventhough the two axle designs were different, both spacers checked out the same at .039" to .040". The circlips themselves are about .069". Do you have a feel for about how much thinner the spacer needs to be in your case?

Mine were really tough to get off, and I bopped myself in the nose once. I currently do not have a really good tool to remove or replace, but I did get two shafts removed and the good shaft remounted along with the clip.

Originally posted by Lycoming-8
[...] but I did get two shafts removed and the good shaft remounted along with the clip.

Are you using carquest shafts?
Did you have to do anything special to get the shaft all the way into the diff to put the clip on?
-pound it?
-different spacer?

[Lycoming-8]

No, the shaft I installed is/was off of a parts car. The shaft had been installed on that car not too long before it was wrecked and still had the paper tag on the center portion of the shaft. Believe that the shaft was a new one when installed on the parts car ( GKN "Lobro" manufacture)?!?

Did not need to do any thing special when sliding the diff end of the shaft into the spline of the gear. Had the diff lifted up pretty high to give room to quickly fit the other end into the wheel bearing spline. Reused the spacer with the shaft that came from the parts car, but determined it was the same (.039" to .040") as the other one I had with the bad shaft from the good car.

This all has been done with a bad shaft that has two "cans" covering the u-joints where the boots are attached, while the good replacement has one "can" at the wheel end and a bolted cylindrical box at the diff end. In other words the two shafts look a lot different, yet have swapped out very well!

Has anyone successfully installed carquest axleshafts? Im really stumped here.

I just returned from the dealer and found out that they offer 7 different thicknesses for the spacer!! I ordered some thinner ones, along with new c-clips and they should be here friday. I think this may work!!

[diesel don]

Ibe:

I think you're on to something with the thickness of the spacer.
Notice that "Lycoming" and myself have done the job with an axle shaft from a parts car. That would assume more wear and then the thickness wouldn't be an issue.

I hope Friday turns out good news for you.

I simply don't have any other ideas because mine went on without an issue and I've done it to (2) different cars.

Don