Posting here has become a ritual of sorts at this point. 2004 Lexus LX470 is the car in question.
So, if you've been following my past few threads, then you'll know I just finished replacing front driver side CV axle with a used one. Well I didn't buy a new c-clip and apparently the C-clip is a non-reusable part according to Toyota. I was able to pull that axle with my bare hands out far enough to get the C-clip well seated (i think) on the groove. Well after driving about 50 miles and basically taking the car on its maiden voyage 2 days ago, I was coming home, going around 70mph, and I hear a pop and clink like a bottle cap hit the skid plate and I knew right then and there that the c-clip popped off and was sitting in the dust cap. Kept driving the car like normal (no CDL activated). Next morning, open dust cap, c-clip is sitting inside and the CV axle end is now flush with the surface of hub flange.
My questions are:
1. Just how far out from surface of flange is the end of the axle meant to be? I've seen pics and videos of it and the end of the CV axle doesn't stick out all that much but I literally had to bury my feet in the ground and pull that axle like I was in a tug-o-war for my life just to get that c-clip on.
2. If I compressed the c-clip with a set of pliers and shoved it back on, would it hold? Should I just get a new one? Given how bad the CV axle wants to be flush with the flange, will a new C-clip even hold it against all that torque and vibration when driving?
3. I heard there's a way to help hold the CV axle out (while you put the c-clip on) by using an 8 or 12 mm bolt and screwing it into the hole at the end of the axle? Is that true? How would that work?
I know I'm probably asking stupid questions, but after nearly imploding the power steering system via a botched hose installation and tap attempt, I want to be sure of everything before I do anything. And this used CV axle is shady at best.
In this last pic you can see metal shavings inside the hole where that bolt people were talking about is meant to thread into, does this mean something has already worn away?
So, if you've been following my past few threads, then you'll know I just finished replacing front driver side CV axle with a used one. Well I didn't buy a new c-clip and apparently the C-clip is a non-reusable part according to Toyota. I was able to pull that axle with my bare hands out far enough to get the C-clip well seated (i think) on the groove. Well after driving about 50 miles and basically taking the car on its maiden voyage 2 days ago, I was coming home, going around 70mph, and I hear a pop and clink like a bottle cap hit the skid plate and I knew right then and there that the c-clip popped off and was sitting in the dust cap. Kept driving the car like normal (no CDL activated). Next morning, open dust cap, c-clip is sitting inside and the CV axle end is now flush with the surface of hub flange.
My questions are:
1. Just how far out from surface of flange is the end of the axle meant to be? I've seen pics and videos of it and the end of the CV axle doesn't stick out all that much but I literally had to bury my feet in the ground and pull that axle like I was in a tug-o-war for my life just to get that c-clip on.
2. If I compressed the c-clip with a set of pliers and shoved it back on, would it hold? Should I just get a new one? Given how bad the CV axle wants to be flush with the flange, will a new C-clip even hold it against all that torque and vibration when driving?
3. I heard there's a way to help hold the CV axle out (while you put the c-clip on) by using an 8 or 12 mm bolt and screwing it into the hole at the end of the axle? Is that true? How would that work?
I know I'm probably asking stupid questions, but after nearly imploding the power steering system via a botched hose installation and tap attempt, I want to be sure of everything before I do anything. And this used CV axle is shady at best.
