Front Hub - Excessive snap ring (external circlip) gap on drive flange (1 Viewer)

[LandCruiser105]

I've just been working on a front axle rebuild, which included a new spindle, drive flange, axle and CV (Birfield) set. With all these new parts fitted, I discovered that the snap ring gap is excessive in that with the 'B' grade shim (2.8mm thickness) I still have endfloat of about .45mm, where the FSM specifies 0-0.2mm gap.

The drive flange was OEM, the spindle axle and CV was from Terrain Tamer. All new. I suspect the slight variation is down to the different manufacturing tolerances. Lots of discussion in the forum about what the gap should be, and shims etc., but unless I missed it, I couldn't find anyone who had tackled an excessive gap on new parts.

The endfloat (snap ring gap) is determined by the position of the brass bush on one side, and the drive flange on the other.

So, how to reduce this gap and prevent sawing of the teeth as LC2001 and others have pointed out? One (easy) option is to add a second drive flange gasket. This gets the gap close to spec on the B ring. The other (not quite so easy) thought was to add a 0.5mm or 1mm 40mm shim under the shoulder of the brass bush, to space that backwards slightly.

Thoughts? (Other than replace it all with OEM!)

Jon

 

[Malleus]

I thought the 105s had a solid front axle? No?

The end float snap ring business was all about the independent front suspension 100 series.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Yeah I've never seen anyone comment about a bit of float with birfs in a solid axle. Also never seen a comment about measuring this.

The FSM had no spec for this.

IME 0.5mm would not be abnormal. I'd run it. Grease the splines with some noh grease before you put the flanges on

I would not double up the flange gasket.
This will affect clamping force, and potentially increase shear loads on studs and dowel pins

 

[SNLC]

Snap rings come in a variety of thicknesses.

Cheers

 

[LandCruiser105]

I thought the 105s had a solid front axle? No?

The end float snap ring business was all about the independent front suspension 100 series.

Yup - it does indeed have a solid axle like the 80s.

 

[LandCruiser105]

Yeah I've never seen anyone comment about a bit of float with birfs in a solid axle. Also never seen a comment about measuring this.

The FSM had no spec for this.

IME 0.5mm would not be abnormal. I'd run it. Grease the splines with some noh grease before you put the flanges on

I would not double up the flange gasket.
This will affect clamping force, and potentially increase shear loads on studs and dowel pins

Thanks @mudgudgeon I agree - the 80s FSM I have just says install a snap ring - no mention of gaps, ring sizes or specs. The 100s FSM gets the mention of the snap ring, but the IFS is a completely different setup and the the gap is much more important compared to the rigid front axle. The 105 FSM mentions the shim and <0.2 gap, but only for the 1998 onward version, which *is* rigid front axle, but has a locking hub setup. My 2002 105 model has rigid front, but no locking hub mechanism.

So the short version of that = treat as 80 Series. I'll stick the biggest shim in, which will leave a 0.5mm gap, and stop overthinking it!

Cheers! I appreciate the wisdom of the mudders.