Stock Ford locking hubs snap ring install

[tinytim02]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to finish up the Ford Disk conversion on my Dana 44 and hit a brick wall trying to get the stock Ford locking hubs reinstalled. Everything went together fine until I tried to install the large hub snap ring - (item #7 in the diagram below). I can see the groove where the snap ring needs to go, but its just a hair too tight to be able to pop the snap ring into place. Any tips or tricks on getting this snap ring in? This has been kicking my butt all weekend... Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Tim

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, first I would spin the drum or rotor and see if the parts click together and let you push the parts in more. Also try spinning the front driveshaft.
If that doesn't get you more room, I would remove the small snap ring and try pushing it all in again.
Some guys don't use the small snap ring on the axle shaft, but you need the big one. Good luck

 

[75MIKE]

Do you have a big screwdriver wedged on the inside between the flange on the axle and the end of the housing so the axle is to it's full "out" position?

 

[DirtDonk]

The axle shaft position should not stop the large items on a stock lockout. I don't think. Unless there is a burr or something with the splines that won't let the outer axle ring go in all the way.

So this does not happen to be a new outer hub by any chance, does it tinytim? If so I would pull it all out and see if the splines in the hub are cut deep enough. Some of the modern Chineseum parts saved a few pennies of machining cost by not going deep enough. This has been a major issue with aftermarket hubs, but I thought factory hubs might not be a problem.
So that might not be the issue, but it's certainly worth looking into.

And at the very least, it will let you check out the splines to be sure that there are no burrs or deformations that would keep the inner clutch ring from going in far enough.

Otherwise definitely do what was said and make sure that the dog teeth are engaging and letting the outer axle ring go in far enough.
That should be first anyway.

Paul

 

[Rustytruck]

Heres what i see in the photos. The axle dog clutch snapring is not completely in its axle groove. Yoy usually have to pry the axle out from the back side to hold the axle pushed out to get the snap ring in place. If it wont go on then either you have the brass/plastic thrust washer on backwards between the outter stub axle and the spindle. Big chamfer side of washer goes on first then axle into spindle. Or your doing the chevy disk conversion on a ford axle assembly. In wich the snapring will not fit without modifications.
But the other problem i see is all your parts are too clean. Theres no grease on anything.
Bearings and inner spindle bearing are supposed to be packed with bearing grease. All other hub parts and splines are supposed to be lightly lubricated with white grease/Lubriplate. So parts dont rust,slide easily and dont get gummed up with heavy grease when cold. Put a couple of screws in the plate to push in on to help you get the outer snap ring on.