Axle c clips

[KevinB]

Hello Everyone,

I'm changing the axles in my 2003 300A. Got some advice from the board about a week ago. Man, you guys were right when you said the C- clips were a PITA to remove. I still haven't gotten them out. I did a search on this topic today when I had no luck removing them. Some people said its difficult to remove them, and some people said all you have to do is remove the pinion shaft, push the axles in and the clip should just about fall out. I must be missing something, 'cause I can't do it the hard way or the easy way. The "S" clutch spring really makes it hard to get at the c clip.

Any tips or suggestions as to what has worked for you?

Thanks,

Kevin

[carfixer]

You can't push the axle in far enough unless you unbolt the rear ABS sensors and pull them 1/2 way out. You also have to rotate the axle shaft so the park brake adjuster is between the backside of the lugs.

[KevinB]

Thanks Carfixer,

I forgot to mention I did remove the ABS sensors. I'll try your other suggestion. Just to make sure I understand clearly, I should make sure the back side of the lugs aren't pressing against the spring/star adjuster, or anything else, and the shaft should go in far enough to get better access to the c clip? Also, will the c clip fall out of the groove, or does the clip have a little bite to it so that I'll need pliers?

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I still don't understand how people have problems with the c clips. I just had my rear apart this weekend and it literally takes like 10 seconds to get each one out. Once the axle is pushed in, w/ the diff cross pin removed, just use a skinny screw driver and give the c clip a few abrupt nudges and it will come right out. You don't have to touch the parking brake assembly

Yikes

[KevinB]

VicsEvilBrother,

Thanks for the input. Like I said, I must be missing something. I have the pinion shaft out, ABS sensors out, axles pushed in and it still appears the c clip doesn't quite clear the clutch "s" spring. Meaning it looks like the "s" spring won't let the c clip pop out of the groove. I'll have to check when I attempt it again. Thanks.

Kevin

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Push them in harder! LOL. I used to index the wheel studs such that they straddled the parking brake spreader assy, but I don't bother anymore and there is still plenty of clearance to get them out.

I used the "axle saver" bearings in a chevy rear once and they stick out so much further than a stock bearing, that I had to hammer the c clips in. The rear I installed those bearings on will never have enough clearance to ever be disassembled again. Hopefully someone did not do this to your car!

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Please take a close up pic of what your axle journals look like when you get them out.

I had my 300A axles replaced with the TSB kit, and they already are scoring like this 7k miles later

http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/Resetting%20the%20373s/?action=view&current=resettingthe373s018.jp g

Curious what your OE ones look like

[Marauderjack]

Please take a close up pic of what your axle journals look like when you get them out.

I had my 300A axles replaced with the TSB kit, and they already are scoring like this 7k miles later

http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/shylin01/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/Resetting%20the%20373s/?action=view&current=resettingthe373s018.jp g

Curious what your OE ones look like


Looks pretty good to me for over 5 million revolutions........724/mile x 7000 miles!!??:beer:

My OEM's have spun over 123 million revs......UNIMAGINABLE!!!:eek:

[KevinB]

Will do. I'll probably get to it this weekend. (If I can get the C clips out :rolleyes:)

Thanks again,

Kevin

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

The problem with the wear I am seeing is that a wide cylindrical roller should not be cutting a knife groove like it is. I think the bearing is not seated properly. There is already slop on one side

[BigCars4Ever]

You can't push the axle in far enough unless you unbolt the rear ABS sensors and pull them 1/2 way out. You also have to rotate the axle shaft so the park brake adjuster is between the backside of the lugs.

2nd that! PIA but its the only way