Differential question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 46
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Differential question
I recently removed the differential from my 68 project car and found that the axle stubs pulled completely out. The bolts on the rear cover were crusted over with decades of grease and grime but internally everything looked good. I expected to find the axle clips inside but they were not present. Can anyone tell me their function and if the car could have been driven like this in the. Past?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
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From: WI
look at the ends of the yokes, is the c-clip groove still there? is the bevel still there? I believe there is supposed to be like .180 from the c-clip groove to the end if it`s worn down all that metal is in there somewhere, the clips sometimes get stuck all the way in front under the pinion.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
look at the ends of the yokes, is the c-clip groove still there? is the bevel still there? I believe there is supposed to be like .180 from the c-clip groove to the end if it`s worn down all that metal is in there somewhere, the clips sometimes get stuck all the way in front under the pinion.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
The clips keep the side yokes from pulling out of the differential during extreme suspension travel and when you jack the back of the car up off of the ground. When the weight is down on the suspension the end of that shaft rides on the center shaft of the clutch carrier. The clips are not needed for standard operation of the differential which is why everything has seemingly worked fine up until this point. Obviously the clips should be there so I would not recommend omitting the clips when you put everything back together.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
The clips keep the side yokes from pulling out of the differential during extreme suspension travel and when you jack the back of the car up off of the ground. When the weight is down on the suspension the end of that shaft rides on the center shaft of the clutch carrier. The clips are not needed for standard operation of the differential which is why everything has seemingly worked fine up until this point. Obviously the clips should be there so I would not recommend omitting the clips when you put everything back together.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Good to hear and something else I would recommend is to verify you have enough left between the end of the shaft and the clip groove. Plus the end needs to be hardened enough. If the end is worn down even a little too much the hardness will be lost on the surface and the shaft will continue to wear down and mushroom from pounding on that center shaft. Most machine shops can check the hardness of the end of those yoke shafts and you can measure the proper length after the groove with a micrometer.
