Differential Half Shaft Circlips
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 20
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Differential Half Shaft Circlips
My belief is that the circlips that retain the half shafts in the differential are there to facilitate production assembly only and serve no other purpose. Is this correct or is there some other performance aspect?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Are you talking about the clips on the stub shafts that connect to the half shafts? If so, those clips are to retain them in the differential and into the posi unit. The posi gears and even the clutch disc are splined to those stub shaft axles.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 20
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Thank you for the quick response. When I was attempting to remove some of the rear suspension parts the half shaft came right out of the differential, It slides back in once you get the splines aligned. it just doesn't seem right that you can slip it back in and it will all work properly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Apple Valley, MN
What likely happened is either: a) the clip fell out inside the differential or b) the axle tip has worn down past the circlip groove. You need to pull the differential and look inside.
Race Director
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The halfshaft is part of your suspension locating point. Without the clips the wheel assembly can move all over the place and pivot off the lower strut rod.
You CAN leave off the clips and let axles float IF you add an upper link arrangement to the trailing rams to locate it. In that case you remove the clips so you don't put it in a bind.
JIM
You CAN leave off the clips and let axles float IF you add an upper link arrangement to the trailing rams to locate it. In that case you remove the clips so you don't put it in a bind.
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
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You should be able to if the groove for the clip is still there. You might want to look and make sure the clip didnt mess up anything inside if you can find it. I would listen to check what 69L88 said above.
