Real time help - driveshaft snap ring

[DJWUZJ]

First time packing bearings on the LC. I have it all back together except I don't have enough clearance on the driver side to get the snap ring back on the outside of the flange.

Tried pulling the drive shaft, using the bolt trick, etc... No luck.

Help?

 

[Supra88]

How are you "pulling" on the threaded bolt? I thread it through a pry bar to get more torque, especially if you just loaded up the needle bearing with grease. Buy 2 of each snap ring next time .

 

[DJWUZJ]

Tried it... No luck

 

[Amendonsa]

I had the exact same problem yesterday. No matter how hard I pulled, I couldn't get it out far enough for the snap ring. I took everything apart and re-assembled and got it to go, just barely. Frustrating, but it worked for me. Drivers side went together with no issues. Good luck, hopeit goes.

 

[Sandroad]

If you have lots of fresh grease in the spindle bearing it will take a lot of pulling to get that spindle back out. I borrowed my wife's help and we both pulled with a long crowbar on the bolt threaded into the end of the axle. It didn't come all at once; it took pulling for at least a couple of minutes for the spindle to slowly come out far enough to get the snap ring on. That grease has to squish around a bit. A quick search noted 2 specific things that may help. First, make sure you have the correct snap ring pliers (photos of those are on this forum). They will open the ring without bending it sideways. If you opened the original snap ring with pliers that bent it, it will be VERY hard to get back on and seated. You'll probably have to buy new rings. Second, make sure you removed the old flange gasket. If you doubled up that gasket, no ring will go back on and seat correctly.

 

[DJWUZJ]

Got it - lots of pulling and wiggling... After tearing it all apart for the 3rd time.

Cleaning up a little while ago after 12 hours of fun, I noticed the flange gasket on the ground. Poop. Back at it tomorrow!

 

[SupraTuRD]

A floor jack under the lower control arm helps. Raise until the axle is almost horizontal (no angles at joints).

 

[APKhaos]

A floor jack under the lower control arm helps. Raise until the axle is almost horizontal (no angles at joints).

^^ THIS! Learned it the hard way, and it was the only way to get my new OE shafts positioned to install the snap rings.

 

[OregonLC]

Just be careful when you do this because it will lift the truck as the spring takes the load. If you go back under the truck and the jack fails or slips off the lca you could have a problem. The jack stands 'should' catch it, but that's not a guarantee.

 

[SupraTuRD]

Just be careful when you do this because it will lift the truck as the spring takes the load. If you go back under the truck and the jack fails or slips off the lca you could have a problem. The jack stands 'should' catch it, but that's not a guarantee.

Yep. Safety first.

 

[jonharis]

A floor jack under the lower control arm helps. Raise until the axle is almost horizontal (no angles at joints).

Agreed, helps tremendously. Also, keep in mind that there are 5 or so thicknesses of snap rings to make up for loose tolerances. The dealer can sell you the whole set.

 

[super90]

Also, keep in mind that there are 5 or so thicknesses of snap rings to make up for loose tolerances. The dealer can sell you the whole set.

That's what I did, buy the whole set and use the one that just barely fits. Only had the problem on one side.