Front Dana30 Axle end C-clips

[Buildflycrash]

I've had it!
In 10 years of yearly bearing grease maintenance I've had the axle end clips stay on once!
I know I need to pry the axle outward from inside the "C". then work the clip into the grove.
Does anyone else have this problem? Better yet a solution?

 

[53Flattie]

I’ve just started leaving them out. Never understood their purpose. It’s not like the axle shaft can slide “too far” into the differential.

 

[Rich M.]

Never had a problem. The end is threaded. Run a bolt in and pull the shaft out, install snap ring.

 

[wheelie]

Never had a problem. The end is threaded. Run a bolt in and pull the shaft out, install snap ring.

FTW

 

[timgr]

Yes, the thread is a 7/16"-20 size.
Put a bolt in there and pull to expose the groove.
At the dealership, only about half the Jeeps that came in had the snap ring.
No obvious problem to leavng off the snap ring entirely.
That said, I've always been able to install the ring if I pulled on the axle.

 

[Renegade ll]

I just finished totally rebuilding my new to me dana 30 and there was no snap ring. See you in Colorado Scott!!!!

 

[garage gnome]

The snap rings hold the spindle seal against the spindle properly.

I reach inside the knuckle and push the shaft out towards the hud to put them on.

 

[fr8dog61]

I pried mine out with a Big A** Prybar.

 

[nickmil]

Some disc brake conversions won’t allow the use of the snap ring. Been leaving them off that conversion for 30 years with no problems. I do use them when available on stock applications.