Re: Drive axle flange circlip fit

I have gone through a few of the circlips trying to get one to seat
> correctly. Even then I was not so sure it was good. I have driven more > than a few thousand miles and nothing has blown up so I guess it was > good enough. I think of all the things I have encountered on VWs that > has been the most frustrating. Well that and wondering when my tranny > is going to self machine. It has 287,000 miles on it. > > > > Jim B.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Jim.

I tried making a tool like somebody suggested somewhere, but mine was just too clumsy to get down to business. So I got a new set of circlips and Oh-So-Gently expanded them and got them over the shaft and into the groove. Experience and patience seems to help.

I now estimate my radial play to be about 0.25mm, or about 0.010". I have given some thought to this, and I'm not so sure it matters much if the circlip is a little too big in diameter for the bottom of the groove. The flange springs keep good outward force against it, and there is no foreseeable force that could cause that circlip to open.

To further bolster my guess, I haven't found any posts where one has let go and havoc followed. So I suppose, within reason, a new clip that goes down into the groove is about the only requirement. Just a guess.

Thanks again.

Mike