XJriot

Greetings Gentlemen,

I was replacing my wheel bearings today and I seem to have broken a clip but I can't seem to find what it is called on Google or on Advance Autos website. The clip was brittle and came apart as I was banging on the hub assembly to break it free. I looked for front axle retainer clip but all I found were 1 piece C clips.

It is a 2 piece clip, yellowish in color and seems to lock the front axle shaft in place. Without the clip in place, tightening the hub nut pulls the shaft out of place.

Thank you in advance.

94XjSport94

Was it on the shaft?

XJriot

Yep. It locked around a tapered part of the shaft so the shaft can't be pulled out while tightening the spindle lock nut.

XJriot

Here's a picture. Should have included it from the start, my apologies.

94XjSport94

The only things there are a 36mm nut, a bent washer thing that acts like a spring so a cotter pin holder and pin fit through the shaft. Post a pic of the broken thing.

Is it on the opposite side or is it broken too?

XJriot

Picture is posted. It is located behind knuckle. The nuts, washer etc is on the spindle in front of the hub.

94XjSport94

I think that's just the plastic piece to keep junk from getting in the axle tube. Got a pic of the opposite side?

XJriot

Yeah it is, it seals the tube and keeps the axle from pulling out of the diff. Unless there's a different reason why the axle pulls out when I tighten the spindle nut. Lol. Either way, I gotta replace it since it is broken.

94XjSport94

Put the rotor on and a screwdriver in one of the slot up top and tighten it. That piece doesn't hold the shaft in. I didn't re install it on my chromos

XJriot

Ah alright.

Do you know what it is called though? I like to put things back together how they were.

94XjSport94

Don't have a clue. I'll give you the ones from mine if it helps you sleep tonight lol. Assuming they come off without breaking. That would be a dealer part if the guy at the computer can find it

odgreen

Trow it away and don't look back. Its not needed. It doesn't hold the axle in. Its to keep large debris out of the tube. I never had any and never had any issues.

XJriot

Ah.

So is it normal to have some play in the shaft then? If I push the shaft all the way in, it pulls out probably 1/2" to 3/4" when I tighten the spindle nut.

I wasn't sure if this was normal or not as I didn't notice it when I disassembled everything or if I messed up somewhere. Lol.

ktmracer419

Put the axle together and don't worry about it. not all dana 30's came with those even. Most axles never had anything like that.

XJriot

Alright.

What about the shaft pulling out of the diff slightly when tightening the spindle nut? That's the thing im most concerned about and don't remember it doing that on any other vehicle I've done this on.