8.8 shaft "o-rings"?

[Natedog57]

I took out the old shafts from my Explorer 8.8 and on one there was a small rubber "o-ring" where the c-clip attaches. I bought new shafts but these "o-rings" were not included.
Do I need to try and replace these when I install the new shafts or are these really not needed? - thanks in advance.

 

[metalmacguyver]

well what do they actually do? are they just there to fill the slot or do they actually seal something?

 

[AllanD]

SHORT VERSION
If you can get the o-rings off the old shafts move them over to the new ones,
they are as I said primarily a friction device to hold the C-clips in place during
assembly.


Long Version
The o-rings in the C-clip groove at the inner end of ford axle shafts are there for two purposes...

The first as an assembly aid in the factory when the rear axle is being assembled.

when you shove the C-clip onto the shaft the O-ring holds it there while
you reach over to pull the shaft outwards "capturing" the C-clip in the
recesses face of the axle pinion.

In other words it is an assembly aid.

The other purpose (for which they are less than reliable) is IF in the event a major ammount of end play
develops in the rear axle (typically through rediculously worn Limited slip clutch discs)
the O-ring will usually hold the C-clip on the shaft and thus prevent the shaft from sliding out of the axle housing unexpectedly.

when working on an axle that isn't completely boned by severe neglect they are "nice" because it saves you from having to be in two places at once to reassemble the rear axle.



AD

 

[Natedog57]

Thanks Allan, I figured they were there for just that reason.