Where did the C-Clip go ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Where did the C-Clip go ?
When I was checking the diff of my 1978 I noticed one side yoke had lots of in-out movement. I removed the diff and had a look inside. The C-Clip that holds the side yoke is missing ?
This is the side yoke. I did not find it anywhere in the case? . I know it was there 2 years ago when I replaced the side yokes. Where to look. Do I just get another c-clip and re-install. The yoke dosen't look bad to me. It did have a bit of a bur on the tip which took a bit of a tug to pull out. Any thoughts on the next move ?
This is the side yoke. I did not find it anywhere in the case? . I know it was there 2 years ago when I replaced the side yokes. Where to look. Do I just get another c-clip and re-install. The yoke dosen't look bad to me. It did have a bit of a bur on the tip which took a bit of a tug to pull out. Any thoughts on the next move ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The snap ring possibly flipped up and went into the cavity between the pinion bearings. Or it might have just been ground up between the gears. It's in there someplace, but it might take a complete tear down to find it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It could be what Tim said.. it probably was ground up...
Possible that someone replaced the yoke and didn't know it belonged in there too.
Willcox
Possible that someone replaced the yoke and didn't know it belonged in there too.
Willcox
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I just went through the same problem---I couldn't find the snap-ring....then after 20 minutes I found it wedged near the pinion bearings and "fished" it down to the bottom of the housing and removed it, removed the splined shaft....repaired the mushroomed splines on the end of the shaft...repaired the snap-ring groove on the shaft.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I just went through the same problem---I couldn't find the snap-ring....then after 20 minutes I found it wedged near the pinion bearings and "fished" it down to the bottom of the housing and removed it, removed the splined shaft....repaired the mushroomed splines on the end of the shaft...repaired the snap-ring groove on the shaft.
Thanks.. Now do I put it back in or get another clip ? Or why would the clip come off. They are on pretty tight.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Feb 17, 2014 at 12:31 AM.
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thanks I started poking around some more then I must be blind as a bat. I was thinking gavity would be my friend, but I needed to just look up and in the back. I thought it would be near the inners, but I found it.
Thanks.. Now do I put it back in or get another clip ? Or why would the clip come off. They are on pretty tight.
Thanks.. Now do I put it back in or get another clip ? Or why would the clip come off. They are on pretty tight.
The flats on the end of the splines need to be re-filed since they are mushroomed causing the shaft to jam when removing or installing it into the bearing housing.
Also....the snap-ring groove (c-clip groove) was never machined deep enough from the factory causing premature failure of the snap-ring...it wants to "climb" out of it's groove when pressure is applied while cornering.
Annnnd....the snap-ring isn't thick enough to start with...plus, the face of the snap ring with the sharp edges should be facing toward the middle of the housing.
IF you can afford a machine shop to do the work, the groove in the splined shafts needs to be freshened -up and re-cut deeper to the correct depth so the snap ring will hold better (a thicker snap ring may have to be used once the groove is "resquared on the shoulders".
Annnnnnnnnd.....use NEW quality snap rings!
Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 17, 2014 at 11:24 AM.
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Since I have a machinist background, I re-cut the grooves myself with (of all things) a dremel tool/diamond encrusted cutting wheel.