dana 35 axle shaft. NEED HELP.

[udjlax]

so when i was wheeling today, i lost 4wd. once i got back to the shop to check everything out, i realized the passenger side shaft had moved in towards the diff, breaking the splined washer, and knocking off the c clip. it pulled the axle out of the hub, which is why i lost 4wd. (i think it happened when i jumped it, over extended the axle).

im wondering what i can do about it to keep it from happening again, im soon going to be getting 2" longer springs, and plan on making it flex really well, and also doing some pre-running. so there is lots of potential for it to pull out again.
any help would be great. thanks everybody.

 

[-Nathan-]

e clip eliminator on the passenger shaft. like so.....will allow some movement in/out.

sounds like you need limit straps though.

 

[udjlax]

does that go on the end by the hub? it doesnt quite look like it. how much of a difference does it make.

i dont think i need limit straps. i am actually looking for more travel, i dont have that much. i dont even think im quite into double digits (havent measured tho)

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

That goes inside the boot at the slip joint in the middle of the passenger side shaft.

 

[udjlax]

gotcha. any specs on how to make it? and how much of a difference does it make? would it be easily possible to make a longer slip joint there?

 

[martin]

It sounds like the slip joint is binding or jammed. clean it, inspect it for damage and re-lube it.

 

[atvkid4eva]

The echo spring works perfectly i have one on my 88' ranger (with a d35) and have never had a problem..heres the link for the part number my local dealer had to order it but it didn't take long.http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/c-clip_eliminator_external.html

 

[feellnfroggy]

Your truck in the avatar dont look too modded, least not enough to need limit straps are you working on something else? Also plenty of guys here have jumped there trucks without breaking that c clip. Is it possible you just forgot to put it back when you messed with the hubs last time? I started removing my locknuts once and forgot to take the clips off and it was jammed up good they dont come off that easy at all.

 

[udjlax]

my avatar is a very old pic of the truck, when it was still stock. (i need to update it). c clips were deffinitely in place. and the c clips did not break. but they popped out of there groove when the axle pulled in. but it did break the splined washer.

So with the c- clip eliminator setup, i will no longer have to run the splined washer and c clip on the stub shaft? I would imagine if the axle pulls out of the hubs at all while flexing/ jumping, the spring should push it back in once leveled out. correct me if i am wrong.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

. c clips were deffinitely in place. and the c clips did not break. but they popped out of there groove when the axle pulled in. but it did break the splined washer.

I went through 3 sets of hub/axle hardware on my D35, before I figured out what really caused it.

My D35 was lincoln locked, so I already had the C-clip eliminator spring installed. The spring does nothing for your issue.

I found the axle spindle bearing to be the issue. The little bearing inside the backside of the spindle that the stub shaft rides in. When worn &/or missing, it causes the axle shaft to torque over sideways inside the spindle. The shaft being on an angle puts an awkward stress on the back side of the splined washer and c-clip.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I went through 3 sets of hub/axle hardware on my D35, before I figured out what really caused it.

My D35 was lincoln locked, so I already had the C-clip eliminator spring installed. The spring does nothing for your issue.

I found the axle spindle bearing to be the issue. The little bearing inside the backside of the spindle that the stub shaft rides in. When worn &/or missing, it causes the axle shaft to torque over sideways inside the spindle. The shaft being on an angle puts an awkward stress on the back side of the splined washer and c-clip.

Im glad you mentioned this, I was about to post that the c-clip eliminator is for the C-clip in the differential that hold the axle in that was, The splined washer and outer c-clip are totally different, you cant eliminate that. Im not sure how to fix that, other than a new clip and washer. they are a dime a dozen at the junkyard, on every ranger auto or manual. Just keep a dozen in your truck when you go wheeling. ANd dont jump so high lol.

 

[udjlax]

ok, cool. very good to know. and funny you say that, because i tore apart the spindle the other day, and discovered that i am missing a couple bearings from that needle bearing in back.

and as far as jumping goes. i will only go higher. im thinking possible 4x4 pre-runner build. but i still gotta be able to crawl on some rocks.

 

[4x4junkie]

It sounds like the slip joint is binding or jammed. clean it, inspect it for damage and re-lube it.

I'd be suspicious of this also since you say the washer broke because the shaft pulled through. If water gets in where the splines are, rust sets in pretty quick and can freeze it solid, especially if it hasn't been lubed in a while.

 

[udjlax]

yeah, i pulled the shaft out to check out the splines. and about the only lubrication it had was mud. so i cleaned it all up and greased it. and hopefully that will do the trick.

so if the c-clip eliminator is not for the c-clip on the stub shaft, but for the one inside the diff, what purpose does it serve, and what benefits do you get from it?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It is necessary to run most front locking differentials and it also makes it so you can remove the passenger inner axle shaft without disassembling the diff from the axle beam to replace broken shafts or to replace u joints.