Do not tap in a snap ring. Doing so will make it to tight (no gap). That said: Better tight (no gap) then loose (wide gap). When hub flange to snap ring gap 0,00mm, we'd then need to tap into axle groove. In will wear down brass bushing until at least .001mm gap. Not the worst thing, but does wipe off all grease except that in the groove of brass bushing.
Here's to tight a gap, after 1K miles. It changes the color of grease as brass wear dust gets in grease.
High & tight spots on brass, wear shiny.
We can see where axle butt, butts brass bushing VVV was rubbing, and wearing brass shiny in spots ^^^.
That axle needle bearing turnout to be bad, in this one. I doubt from brass wear, just old and under services
We see scoring (scoring indicates bad bearing) on axle where needle bearing rides, in just 2K miles.
Few reason snap ring will not fit on.
- Aftermarket parts, like FDS. Sometimes have fitment issue(s).
- Wrong thickness snap ring used. Note: I almost always use 1 size larger (2.4mm) than factory install (2.2mm). Yesturday. I had one that need the thickest snap ring (2.8Mm) and still had a gap of 0.13mm. Any more gap, it would have needed parts replacing. Number one wear part, being brass bushing.
- Grease in back side on knuckle, between brass bushing and axle of FDS. This is why I pull axle of FDS out with press/puller (seen in video below). One can also drive with loose snap ring on, around the block. Which helps settle grease, than pull axle out tight with 8x1.25 bolt threaded in end of axle and install new snap ring of proper thickness. Doing with tires on the ground (no jack) and FDS is in natural stance. Rather than being pull back, when tires off ground and LCA is in full droup.
Snap ring install, with household clamp tool makeshift axle puller.
Other ways/tools to pull axle tight against brass bushing setleing grease, to install hub flange snap ring. M8x1.25 bolt with vise grips as handle to pull on axle. That snap ring would need to go up two size, and still have a gap of 0.16mm.
