Introduction:
This is another way to eliminate the E-Clip found in the 1984-1990 Bronco II, 1991-1994 Explorer, or a 1983-1997 Ranger Dana Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension.
Difficulty: 4 out of 10, some welding may be required.
Part Needed: Echo Spring, Echo Part #:69621655730
You can click this LINK to do an Echo dealer search in your area.
The spring is 2-1/4″ long with a 1.445″ OD and a 1.2395″ ID.
First off, you have to squeeze the spring over the splines of the male passenger axle shaft. This can be a pain if you don’t have a vice. You will have to sort of stretch the very bottom coil and slip it over the spline. Then you need to slowly drive the spring down over the splines of the shaft.
The spring rest against the end of the female inner axle shaft.
After that, you should do something to keep it from slipping over the groove in the shaft. I chose to run a weld around the axle. You can also use a hose clamp if you can’t weld. This will keep the spring from popping over the groove and causing it to fail.
Now you can re-install the boot and use a pair of hose clamps to hold it on. Remember to grease up the axle splines before you slide the female end over the male end.
Finally, you can re-install the axle into the truck.
More Info From 4x4Junkie:
The spring needs to be 2.5-3″ long, 1-3/8″ I.D., and about 20-30 PPI stiffness.
Related Articles:
Dana 35 / 28 C-Clip Eliminator
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About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.