stupid snap ring

[Shran]

Yep it was a special move.. but I tried like hell to get the yoke in the center to come out and no dice... It was getting dark and I needed to use the truck to get to work the next day so I sawzd it NOT what I wanted to do.. believe me.

Since that's the case, I forgive you Been there, had one rusted so bad it wouldn't budge and the stub shaft broke in the middle of a snow bank. Had to torch it off.

 

[ragajungle]

today a bottle of map gas fell off the shelf in the shed and hit me in the head and almost knocked me out. It landed next to the half shaft I sawzed and I had a moment of total retrospective mental retardation. I should have used map....live and learn, now I jus need to get a new carrier shaft

 

[ragajungle]

truck guy, sorry I jacked thread I was gonna tell you that when I removed my spindles (the part the bearing ride on) I tried a slide hammer and broke it (the tool) I dint have it threaded on enough.

I wound up using a chisel and hammer, a rubber mallet and some 5 Hour Energy shots. (I know it's not the "proper" way but it worked) It just took a hella long time and was like a fricken work out. But it DID come off.

x2 on the wire wheel for easier installation later!

 

[88_Eddie]

^
you sigged yourself, lol.....it's a good one tho

 

[truckguy]

its no problem. i never ended up taking the spindles off because i could take the shafts out the other direction. is it bad i never removed them?

 

[Shran]

today a bottle of map gas fell off the shelf in the shed and hit me in the head and almost knocked me out. It landed next to the half shaft I sawzed and I had a moment of total retrospective mental retardation. I should have used map....live and learn, now I jus need to get a new carrier shaft

I kinda doubt even MAPP would have helped. I had a driveline slip yoke rust before.... it took a LOT of time and effort to get it pulled apart. I have used MAPP and propane before with limited success and it didn't work on the driveline. Oxy/MAPP would be better since you already have half of it

its no problem. i never ended up taking the spindles off because i could take the shafts out the other direction. is it bad i never removed them?

No, whatever works.

 

[cauhcons]

do you think we can replace the plastic snap ring for an metallic...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I own a bunch of snap ring pliers and have never used them for the axle shaft ring...

I use TWO blade screwdrivers.

one to hold one end of the ring still and the other I use to push the free end of the ring off the shaft....

Once that ring moves more than about 1/4" you can then get a screw driver between the shaft and the "Belly" of the ring.

That ring doesn't need to slide off the shaft as it's only purpose is to hold the splined washer in place and keep tension on the spindle back-side seal.

AD

That's how I've done them for years. If it's stubborn, I use two blade screwdrivers and give one a quick tap with a hammer. The more exciting part is getting them back on without having them get halfway on then launch themselves off into outer space.


As far as removing the spindles....

A couple years ago I bought a set from Summit Racing, it was like $50 and had a spindle removal tool along with 4 or 5 popular spindle nut sockets. The spindle removal tool is supposed to be used with a slide hammer, but I've never done that. I just thread it on as much as I can then give it a good whack with a 3 lb sledge. Tighten it back up and give it another whack in the other direction. Once I get some separation at the knuckle, I jam a 1/2x14 screwdriver in the separation to help force it apart as I beat on it. Usually doesn't take long to get 'em off that way. Then they get a wire wheel and a liberal slathering with anti-seize before being put back on.


For removing a stubborn passenger side shaft on the front axle, I've used a selection of prying implements at the U-joint for the wheel. Usually that's been enough to get it to slide apart (after removing the clamp) at the slip joint. I give it a good slathering with wheel bearing grease before reassembly too.