Front 4x4 axles

[bloydbuckingbulls]

I bought a used mazda b4000 4x4 from a kid. I got it for next to nothing. Clutch was out and 4x4 didn't work. Got the clutch fixed. I took the front wheels off and noticed that the axle shaft ends were not sticking out far enough to engage the locking hubs. I purchase the missing washers and half moon retaining clip that fits in the groove of the shaft. I really had to pry on the u joint to get the passenger side to come out far enough to get the clip on. My question is: Is there anything else that keeps those shafts in place? The passenger side washers have broken and the shaft has fallen back inside the hub. There's just too much pressure on it. Are those shafts supposed to be pressed into the back side of the hub? The only thing keeping them in place are those thin little washers and that little clip.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Ranger44]

I never was able to get them on my shafts either. There didn't seem to be enough room. I forced them on and the axle shaft spit them off into the hub. So, I left them off and never had a problem yet. I'm interested to see what others have to say about this.

 

[mazdaB4k]

i actually have a similiar problem i replace all my u joints on the axles wheel bearings all that crap and i was wondering about those washers do they go behind the half moon clip or on the hub side? but that is the only thinggs that i can think of that would hold the axxle out

 

[bloydbuckingbulls]

They do go behind it in the order of : the notched one first, the plastic one then the flat one then the retaining clip. I used a pry bar to get it to stick out far enough to get them on. But the first washer broke into pieces and allowed the axle to slide back into the hub. When you buy the set at Ford it comes with a diagram that shows the order they go in.