83 k5 hub question

[jhellwig]

I replaced the auto locking hubs on my stock 83 k5 because one was wanting to lock in all the time when I was slowing down. I bought some mile marker 302 hubs to use. I took off the snap ring and washer off of the stum shaft like the instructions say. I put the guts in and installed the outer retaining ring and have a little wiggle room like the instructions say to have. I cannot get the snap ring installed on the stub axel. The grove is there for it though it is to far back. I have pried the axels out into place but the snap ring isn't going on.

Are the axels held with c clips in the differential and don't need the snap ring on the stub shaft or am I missing something? The instructions say that some "mono tube axels" cant use the snap ring. I assume the mean axels like the 10 bolt front when they say mono tube.

Thank you for the help. It has been a long time since I have posted here.

 

[Bowtie85]

I've run plenty of axles w/o the snap ring. It's not needed IMO.

 

[jhellwig]

Good. I was thinking it isn't needed but just wanted to confirm. It has been 10 years since I had the front diff open so I can't remeber if it was c clipped or not.

 

[diesel4me]

The inner axles up front just slide out once the spindle is removed,no c clips on the inside ends, near the side gears, like a rear axle has..