CV Axle Clip - Not Seating?

[AppleTech]

So I just finished a CV reboot and am putting things back together. The problem now is that the outer shaft will not seat deep enough to get the outer c-clip to seat. I've tugged and banged on it but can't get it out far enough to seat the clip. The only thing I can think of is the knuckle seal is not seated enough but I installed it in a press and pushed it in until I felt tons of resistance and I was afraid I would buckle it.

Am I missing something? Would it be the worst thing in the world to shave a tiny bit off the clip? It is oh so close (it basically seats but won't rotate loosely like before) and I can't bear to take this thing apart again.

 

[aging fleet]

Are you talking about the snap ring labeled as 43410S in the image below? If yes, that part is sold in varying widths, it's possible the snap ring you have on hand is too wide now that you've disassembled/reassembled the driveshaft.

 

[gatormark91]

^that

 

[AppleTech]

Interesting. They are also marked LH and RH I wonder if I should try the other and see if it fits. Hard to see how a snap ring could be RH vs LH haha. Makes me feel better about just turning it down a slight bit.

 

[gatormark91]

The parts are listed as LH or RH just for the catalog. They are the same.

 

[Julian Stead]

I had this issue, I think it is from the added grease around the needle bearings. Try spinning the cv and pulling the bolt you put in the end of the Cv joint, it should disperse the grease and allow you to fit the snap ring. So rotate and pull is the only advise I can give. It will go, it did on mine and I was in the same dilemma you are in, thinking the snap ring was to fat. Good luck.

 

[savirc]

If what julian said doesn't work use a pulley puller that worked for me.

 

[AimCOtaco]

Yep, you need to put an M8 in the end of the stub axle and pull. If you can get some leverage even better, I have a little bar with a hole drilled for just this job.

The C-clips should go back where they were unless you're changing the axles or drive flanges around in which case you can buy different thicknesses of c-clip (Cruiser Outfitters has a great assortment kit at a great price) as different thicknesses are used to achieve just right amount of play.

 

[abuck99]

@2001LC has some good pictures of this snap ring setting process. Do a search or PM him.

But as AimCOtaco said, too much grease on the backside of the knuckle where the CV slides into the dust seal and also the front side where the flange attaches can make it difficult to pull the axle out far enough to set your snap ring.

Good luck

 

[reznunt]

Just put a flange bolt in the end of the shaft, lay a 1x1" square tube (or something similar) across two wheel studs as the fulcrum, and pry it out with a pry bar.

 

[AppleTech]

Thanks all. I tried a bit of banging and ended up trimming the clip down. I have the multi-set on order from Cruiser Outfitters and then I'll try the pry method and get the best fitting one in there.

Thanks!
-Phil

 

[JLink]

Just found this thread as I fought this issue last night. I changed cvs, hub flanges, wheel bearings, rotors, calipers, pads, ball joints. Then I wasn’t sure I’d gotten the preload right on the wheel bearings so I ordered another set of star washers and c clips. I set the wheel bearing preload with a fish scale, and greased the needle bearing with a diy pvc cap with grease zerk. Then I couldn’t get the cv through enough to get the c clip on. I tried threading a bolt in, clamped vise grips to the bolt, hooked a ratchet strap to the vise grip and to the slider on my other truck, and tightened it till I though something would snap. No go. Tried a 1x1 square tube and some sockets as sparers, no go. I double checked that I only had 1 gasket behind the hub flange. No go. Ended up having to remove the hub flange gasket and use a light coating of grey rtv instead. I still used the square tube/sockets/bolt, but I could spin the c clip afterwards.
I’ll have to look into getting a set of various thickness c clips for next time.