Upon inspection when I got home tonight,that retaining ring is nowhere to be found????? I'm gonna go with the assumption that it was never there , not only swampy but a tech at Bass Pro mentioned that,but it also makes sense as that dust cup/cap that's part of the axle that fits over the diff seal when it's in has always had 1/4 ' play which I thought was just the cap moving but now that I've got it apart and looking at it that cap is affixed so it was the axle sliding in and out of the diff......

Does that happen often? Assembly with missing items like that?

They had to order me a ret. Clip so I'll have to wait on that,but honestly I don't see a grove for the clip to lock into, does it somehow lock just inside the diff housing? Just put it in the grove on the axle,push it into the differential till it stops and tug on it I'm assumming??

Thanks for all the help guys I feel like I've gotten a little above my pay grade....

 

I am not sure if the retaining clip locks into a groove or of there is an end to the splines on the ring gear that lets it grab hold of.

You are correct on how to install it.

I think it is more like you have saved yourself some pay! I am not sure if the axle stub could pop totally out of the differential and casue problems but if it is moving as much as you say it is it can let water into the differential which would not be good.

Good thing you caught it early!

Swampy

 

Got all my seals put in now just waiting on my retaining clip......

Im a gota see it type of guy and must admit I learned a good bit tearing this thing down!

Im again thinking that that clip was never there and caused my leak

Thanks again for all the help guys Ill let you know how it does when my little $.81 piece gets here

 

Got all my parts,installed everything,and got an answer to my question...

After installing the axle with the retaining clip it was apparent that it was never there to begin with I got the "click" and that was it,Im 99.9% sure that my leak was actually just the axle never being locked in place,Ive got 0 play in the dust cap and all is well no leaks ....

Thanks for all the help! For right at $11 in parts including new wheel bearing seals,differential seal,new retaining clip,and a new bushing Im back in business as opposed to paying the big bucks to a shop to do it

 

That must have been one of those Friday or Monday machines!

Good job on getting it done! Now you can go ride!

I myself have to go do some more plowing today.

swampy

 

what nut are people talking about to tighten slop in handle bar movement
thanks