RTH, Birfield snap ring alternative? (1 Viewer)

[Spook50]

In a pinch and have to get my knuckles done before Wednesday night, but I need new snap rings for my birfs and not only is overnight $65-$70 for less than $5 in parts, but no dealers around here have them. Closest is Portland.

Does anyone know if there's an alternative part or a number that the OEM one (90520-27091) will cross reference to?

Or maybe is there a way that I've never heard of to separate the birf without having to break the ring? If I can get the one I haven't destroyed out intact, I can take it around and try to find a match at Fastenal or somewhere.

 

[cruisermatt]

Is it because you need to drive it? If so I don't see why you wouldn't be able to drive without front axle shafts, would be a lot if work tearing and rebuilding twice...

 

[Spike Strip]

Other than Mar-tacking, I don't think so ...

 

[cruisermatt]

I'm going to look into this, Ace Hardware has a variety of types of snap rings, might stop by Napa too.

 

[Output Shaft]

If the car absolutely HAS to be driven right away, I would follow cruisermatt's suggestion.

Using anything other than the OEM snap rings is Not A Good Idea. Could something be found that might work? Maybe. Could you count on it to retain the axle inside the birf? No. Could you count on it to shear off properly the next time the birf is separated for service? No.
My 2 cents: Use the OEM snap rings no matter what. I would wait 6 months for them.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

The inner snap ring that holds the inner axle shaft onto the birfield star gear is not a regular snap ring. It's a round ring that compresses into the groove and opens up once past the star gear splines to lock the inner axle in place. The reason you have to break the snap ring to take it apart is because it's impossible to access the snap ring once its installed into the birfield.

I doubt you'll be able to find a snap ring that will do the trick at your local parts store, but give it a shot!

 

[norsk]

I couldn't find a source, other than SOR or dealer, and SOR was faster, and not so bad if you choose USPS on shipping, but I could wait. I bought a total of 4 each, to carry spares

dougbert

 

[Spook50]

I elected to go the OEM route, for the exact reasons that Output listed. given I'll have to wait, I managed to coordinate to get rides to/from my job with a buddy of mine. Ain't the ideal solution, but at least I know I'll have my truck back together right the first time.

 

[cruisermatt]

Whoops I was thinking of the ring on the outside of the birfield. Yeah might be a good spare to keep a few of in the back of the truck.

 

[Spiva]

I'm planning on doing my inner seal this weekend... I've never done it before. I've been reading everything I can about doing the knuckles, and this is the first I've heard of the disposable snap ring??? I got the rebuild kit from cruiser outfitters with the bearings, gaskets, felts, seals, etc, but there's no snap ring. Do I need this for what I'm doing? Or is this only to take apart the birf?
Thanks

 

[Spook50]

Only if you plan on separating the birfields. If not and you're just doing a basic knuckle job, you don't need the rings.

 

[Spiva]

Only if you plan on separating the birfields. If not and you're just doing a basic knuckle job, you don't need the rings.

Thanks so much! I was starting to sweat bullets. I'm just doing the basic knuckle job.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Hmm. I've rebuilt knuckles twice all the way to separating the race, cage, and bearings. I reused the old snap rings but maybe I'm pushing my luck.

 

[Spook50]

Hmm. I've rebuilt knuckles twice all the way to separating the race, cage, and bearings. I reused the old snap rings but maybe I'm pushing my luck.

The ones I'm talking about are the internal snap rings actually inside of the birf joints. The ones that are pretty much impossible to avoid breaking if you break apart the birfield.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

The ones I'm talking about are the internal snap rings actually inside of the birf joints. The ones that are pretty much impossible to avoid breaking if you break apart the birfield.

That's the one I'm talking about too. I've always used the method demonstrated in this video starting at about 31:30

 

[Mace]

I use the pipe method or a sledge hammer to remove birfs. It's a tossup on whether the snap ring is reusable or not.

Martacks work great tho.

 

[Spook50]

That's the one I'm talking about too. I've always used the method demonstrated in this video starting at about 31:30

And no broken snap rings huh? I had thought the pipe trick was a guaranteed shot for breaking the snap ring. May as well try it myself then...

 

[rusty_tlc]

IIRC the handle of a Hi-Lift jack is the right sized for removing the inner axle. I've never broken a snap ring with the pipe method.

 

[norsk]

And no broken snap rings huh? I had thought the pipe trick was a guaranteed shot for breaking the snap ring. May as well try it myself then...

IIRC the handle of a Hi-Lift jack is the right sized for removing the inner axle. I've never broken a snap ring with the pipe method.

Just did mine last month and used the pipe trick, broke the round rings on both sides. got some and extras from SOR

dougbert

 

[Output Shaft]

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