While replacing the CV half shafts on my 95 runner 4x4 v6 w\ADD. I am having a very difficult time getting the retaining clip on. It's the one that is outside of the hub, it's suposed to fit into the groove on the axel shaft. I can't quite get it on there. Am I missing something? If the description is misleading or just not good enough I'll try to get a pic of what I'm talking about tonight.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Cheers,

Josh

 

If it's the one like on my 88 (and I'm thinking of the right one), you need to grab hold of the axle and pull it out in order to seat the snap ring. Don't be surprised if you really have to pull. What's happening is that the grease seals are pushing back and need to be compressed to get the ring on. I made a T-handle and bolted it to the end of the axle to give me something to pull on.

 

ooh great idea on making a handle of sorts to pull on. I used a bolt in the end of the axle to leverage against the wheel studs with a screw driver but couldn't get it out far enough for it to snap in. I'll try th handle Idea. Thanks for the tip.

 

when i did it, i used some needle nose pliers to get a little gap underneath it and then put a small flathead screwdriver there to hold the gap. Then used the needle noses to work it off one side. Its on pretty tight so you just have to get underneath it a little then you can pop it off.

 

Had the same issue this past saturday when intalling the cv axle, couldnt get it out far enough to clip that thingy in so i left it without the clip. was that a bad call on my part???? should i go back and try to pull the cv axle out to put that clip in?

 

I would think that leaving it off is a bad idea, especialy since my Runner has ADD and the axel's are always spinning. That is not an are that you want any slop in. Without the clip on I bet you can hear some clunking every now and then when you're turning.

I actually pried on it pretty hard and wasn't able to make enough of a gap to snap that baby in. My next step will be to rig a bigger lever to pull that thing out more.

Tdubbs05 - Getting it off was easy it's trying to put it back on that sucks.

 

i guess i'm gonna have to get a long bole to bolt into the end of the axle and fab up a t-handle of sorts and pull that thing till either it comes out more or my arms pop outa my sockets. is it common for new axles to be so hard to install?

 

Perhaps try jacking up under the lower arm to get rid of the droop it has with the tire off. Just had mine apart and it was easy to put back, but I didnt replace the CV either.

 

Getting rid of the droop would have probably worked great and easier than what I did. I used a thin strip of steel and drilled three holes in it, bolted the center into the end of the axle. in the other two holes I used about a 2.5inch bolt and a nut. I wish I had taken a picture but basically just fabbed up a puller. Basically you tighten the outer 2 bolts and it will hit the hub and pull the axel through. My explanation isn't great so if you have any questions just PM me and I'll contact you with better details.

Cheers