Replacing (or not) driveshaft circlips

reuse the old, I have frequently done this, never had any problems

How many people have changed a gearbox or a clutch, and not renewed the circlips? I certainly have, many times. And has any catastrophe resulted? No.

The clips are only available as part of the boot kit, right? so hands up who believes the dealers would replace the circlips when changing a gearbox. (clue- my hand isn't up)

I say just bung'em back in as long as the clips aren't distorted or anything.

As for the driveshafts falling out of the box. Well, I suppose it *could* happen. But only if something else had gone horribly wrong first. In which case it wouldn't matter anyway.

Steve

Steve

Re-use them. Unless they've rusted very thin, which is unlikely, newness is only cosmetic.

Rob Graham

The driveshafts would have a bloody hard job to fall out of the box if they're the type where there's a long spline that pops into the diff (which if there's a circlip involved they probably are) as the whole driveshaft needs enough movement to be able to come out. Which isn't going to happen unless by some freak of nature the track rod end nuts magically loosens itself and the track rod end pops out of where it pops in to, and the bottom balljoint magically comes loose, giving the front suspension leg enough free play for the driveshaft to come out of the gearbox/diff.

Peter

So if you wanted the dealer to replace your CV joints you'd have to wait three months? If not they either (1) Have the circlips in stock so could give you a set, or (2) Wouldn't replace the clips.

Out of curiosity phone the dealer and ask when they can do the work, when they say a few days tell them they must have the circlips in stock and find out why they can't supply them to you for three months!

The message from Brian Ruth contains these words:

I never have - except when I broke one - and it's never caused me trouble.

The message from "shazzbat" contains these words:

I've never got 'em with boots - only the boot retaining clips.

Looks like the consensus is pretty clear - safe to re-use them! I can't really see how it'd break, anyway, really, even if the circlip did come adrift.

I'll see what they look like upon disassembly, and take it from there!

Thanks, all!

Brian.

The message from Brian Ruth contains these words:

When you reassemble it - put the open bit of the clip at the top - so gravity holds it in the groove and the ends can't get caught on the way in.