LH drive axle question? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

maxx71 · 03-12-2010, 21:45

Hello all, newbie here with a quick stupid question.

I am working on the wifes 1998 Ford Explorer with AWD and a 5.0 litre.
Replacing the front end with all new ball joints, upper and lower control arms, shocks, rotors etc, etc.

I have the passengers side completed with no problems at all but I can't get the drivers side (LH) drive axle to slide in to the differential.
There is a groove on the end off the shaft with a "c" clip inserted that seems to prevent the axle from sliding in.
My question is does that "c" clip need to be there or can I take it off?

I already took the old shafts to the parts store for the core exchange and didn't pay attention to see if there was a "c" clip on it or not.

Thank You for any help..

**Bert** · 03-13-2010, 08:19

The c-clip is what holds the axle from coming out. It pops in a groove inside to hold the axle in.

maxx71 · 03-13-2010, 22:28

Just for the life of me I can't get it to slide in. The TSM states slide the old one out and the new one installs in the reverse order, yah right. Is there a tool or special method that installs the darn thing?

**Bert** · 03-14-2010, 07:46

There's no special tool. Maybe the parts store still has your old one to compare. They don't always send them in right away. Check the splines on both. Also, look inside the diff to see if something is in the way.