Why c-clip eliminators?

[bmerr98]

On the front end of this let me say that I do very little off roading. I'd like to do more, but I just can't afford to tear up my daily driver. I have all I can do to feed our three girls and keep the vehicles we have rolling.

That being said, I've seen the c-clip Eliminators for the 8.8, and I just can't see why one would need them. I've been into my rear differential a couple of times to replace axle seals and such, and the retaining pin seems like it wouldn't fail to keep things in place. Over 231,000 miles (got it with around 145k), and haven't had any trouble with c-clips falling out.

Just wondering about the purpose for the mod. No biggie.

 

[RANGERROD]

The only thing hold the axles in is the c-clip. Break an axle axle walks out. C clip eliminator the axle won't walk out even if it's broken. It's retained at the backing plate.

 

[brinker88]

This is why:

For what it's worth, I don't worry about my 31 spline disc 8.8's C-clips due to if I DO break a shaft, the caliper will hold the axle in place.

 

[adsm08]

This is why:

That looks like it was fun.

 

[RonD]

^^^Wonder why they don't build them that way, wider stance more stability

 

[pjtoledo]

That looks like it was fun.

ahh, fond memories of the good-ol-days when the retainer ring behind the bearing would fail. then installing the new ring with a 4 foot piece of heavy pipe

 

[bmerr98]

This is why:

For what it's worth, I don't worry about my 31 spline disc 8.8's C-clips due to if I DO break a shaft, the caliper will hold the axle in place.

Point made! Yikes. Were you in beast mode when that happened or what?

 

[4x4junkie]

It should be noted, that looks like a Jeep D35 rearend (weak), not a Ford 8.8".

IMO, the C-clip thing is way overblown. It is true the wheel & axle can walk out of the housing if a shaft breaks, however broken shafts on 8.8s are pretty rare. I wouldn't be worried about it unless you're pushing like 39" tires or something. And as Brinker said, in the event it did break, the brake disc will hold it in place allowing you to drive it to a better place to do your repairs (provided you have a disc brake axle).

 

[brinker88]

It should be noted, that looks like a Jeep D35 rearend (weak), not a Ford 8.8".

IMO, the C-clip thing is way overblown. It is true the wheel & axle can walk out of the housing if a shaft breaks, however broken shafts on 8.8s are pretty rare. I wouldn't be worried about it unless you're pushing like 39" tires or something. And as Brinker said, in the event it did break, the brake disc will hold it in place allowing you to drive it to a better place to do your repairs (provided you have a disc brake axle).

^ Yes. That is a Dana 35 jeep rear axle. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to find a photo of a broken C-clip 8.8 on Google images?

 

[adsm08]

^^^Wonder why they don't build them that way, wider stance more stability

Less brake operation. Although now that you mention it I am mildly amazed that I have never seen an engineer try to place the drum two feet away from the shoes.

 

[4x4junkie]

^ Yes. That is a Dana 35 jeep rear axle. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to find a photo of a broken C-clip 8.8 on Google images?

lmao, I can imagine.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It's a jeep thing?

Me kicking the axle back in for my buddy

 

[kryptonitecb]

I agree that the kits are big money when you can do a disk axle swap for less and get the same results.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[4.0B2]

it's not so much about the c-clip elim for Jeep guys.. I mean, they take out the d35 and put in a 31 spline 8.8 (which is a c-clip axle).

The kits are more so about the hardened shafts, etc... IMO

 

[brinker88]

The kits are $600+ and stronger shafts from dutchman are $135/side.