Axle snap ring won't go on Dana 44

[russhow73]

New bearings in my front hubs. After installing everything and trying to install my original locking hubs there is not enough room to get the axle snap ring on. Everything is torqued correctly.
If I screw a bolt in the end of the axle and pull will that give me the play to get it on?

Thanks

 

[BRONCROB]

Reach behind the knuckle and push out on the axle,it should slide out unless something's not right.

 

[Scot]

I have always reached around to the universal joint and pulled it toward the hub. Hope it moves easy.

Scot

 

[hankjr]

enough with the reach around talk guys....

 

[savage]

X-3 on pushing behind. You can use a large screw driver or bar to help push it in.

 

[jim3326]

If your referring to the one on the end of the axle, as opposed to the one in the hub, do what everyone else who has the same problem does. Leave it out and don't look back.

Jim W.

 

[hankjr]

i installed the chevy conversion and had no room for the ring. i buttoned it up and that was that.

 

[stlo]

i have the chevy conversion and chrome-moly axles and there was no way that snap ring was going on....i run without mine and have been for prolly 4 yrs now

 

[welndmn]

Right!
If you have chevy discs, you no longer use the snap ring, you do the bolt / washer trick.

 

[carmi]

If you are concerned, you can thread a bolt in the end of the axle and use washers to hold it in place but as others have stated, there really is no need to have the lock ring or bolts. Been running mine without either for over 10 years with no problems. I think the only benefit would be if you broke a u-joint or shaft the lock ring would keep the stub axle from coming out and binding the steering. In actuality, with a broken axle your steering can bind even with the lock ring in place so again no real benefit to having it locked in place.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Another possible cause, the thrust washer at the inner seal was installed backwards. Not that anyone has ever done that and spent days trying to figure how it won't go back together when it did come apart correctly once before

 

[blubuckaroo]

Don't be in such a hurry! The reason for the snap ring is to keep the spindle seal compressed. Yea, you can leave it out if you just want a street Bronco. %) Then you might as well leave out the locker, big axles, and everything else you wanted to make it an off-road vehicle. The correct fix is to have the axles re-grooved at the correct place. It's really easy... and cheap to do it right.

 

[russhow73]

Thanks guys. I pushed on the axle with a screwdriver and it works perfect.

 

[broncodriver99]

Don't be in such a hurry! The reason for the snap ring is to keep the spindle seal compressed.

Exactly.

 

[welndmn]

Don't be in such a hurry! The reason for the snap ring is to keep the spindle seal compressed. Yea, you can leave it out if you just want a street Bronco. %) Then you might as well leave out the locker, big axles, and everything else you wanted to make it an off-road vehicle. The correct fix is to have the axles re-grooved at the correct place. It's really easy... and cheap to do it right.

I'll agree with you, the point of the outer axle snap ring is to help keep the spindle seal seated, thus keeping mud out of the spindle bearing.
BUT, I've never seen a spindle bearing that was clean because that spindle seal worked.

 

[00gyrhed]

Compressed seal

Don't be in such a hurry! The reason for the snap ring is to keep the spindle seal compressed. Yea, you can leave it out if you just want a street Bronco. %) Then you might as well leave out the locker, big axles, and everything else you wanted to make it an off-road vehicle. The correct fix is to have the axles re-grooved at the correct place. It's really easy... and cheap to do it right.

The issue is that the snap ring often doesn't actually compress the seal. With the washers you can make spacers and actually set the seal up properly.

I have had a similar experience. After 25 years of wondering why the hell bother with those seal on FWD vehicles I found the right seal and made sure it was compressed. my spindles stay clean now.

 

[gravylakeseb]

I have always used a bolt in the threaded hole in the end of those axles and pull outward on it to clear the groove.