bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I'm going to do this on some 35 spline dana 60 stubs and want to make sure it's as easy as using an angle grinder with a square edge disc. Is there anything to watch out for other than grinding too much?
CK5
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grinding axle stubs for full circle clips
- Thread starter bp71k5
- Start date
FRIZZLEFRY
1/2 ton status
I have done it with a grinder before.Thats pretty much it.Only grind as much as you need to 
sope
1/2 ton status
I did mine with a die grinder. I would have thought an angle grinder would be too big to get in there.
I did mine with a die grinder. I would have thought an angle grinder would be too big to get in there.
Isn't this something you should do with the axle shafts out and not still in as there would be tons of metal shavings and chit flying into the hub. Bye Bye Bearings. Or am I reading your post wrong?
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Yep, I haven't installed the axles in the housing yet and discovered the place I bought them from only modified the inner shafts and not the outers.
Also, an angle grinder with a larger diameter disc does seem to fit. It looks like about a 6" blade will reach in there using my grinder.
sope
1/2 ton status
Or I wrote it wrong. What I meant is a couldn't get my angle grinder in beetween the ears of the axles.
I guesss with a 6 inch disk it will.
Didn't know there was such a thing; I only remember your normal 4-4.5-5" size, and then the big momma 9". Anyway, no matter, if you can make it work.
-- A
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I discovered that after I left to buy one. Turns out there's a 7" cutoff wheel type or a 5" grinder blade. The 5" seemed to have worked ok, but just barely.
Have you ever looked at an assembled front axle before
Yes, you would have the shaft removed from the axle and the u-joint removed from the yoke........but not because of the issue you mentioned (the hub is sealed from this part of the shaft so no way you could get metal shavings in the hub bearings), but rather it would be a huge PITA, if not impossible, to try to grind an axle shaft yoke for full circle clips with it still in the axle and u-joint installed. And besides, you have the take the u-joint out of the yokes to get a full circle snap ring in place anyway so what's the point of leaving the shaft in place????
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I suspect he was just asking to clarify where the grinding was being done. If I was grinding the end of the stub inside the area where the locking hubs are installed, then that wouldn't be so good. The portion of the axle I'm describing grinding is at the U-joint so there are no bearings or any other stuff installed.
Have you ever looked at an assembled front axle before
Yes, you would have the shaft removed from the axle and the u-joint removed from the yoke........but not because of the issue you mentioned (the hub is sealed from this part of the shaft so no way you could get metal shavings in the hub bearings), but rather it would be a huge PITA, if not impossible, to try to grind an axle shaft yoke for full circle clips with it still in the axle and u-joint installed. And besides, you have the take the u-joint out of the yokes to get a full circle snap ring in place anyway so what's the point of leaving the shaft in place????
Easy Tiger. Not the expert you seem to be.
Brian hit the nail on the head. I was thinking a different part of the axle.
what is the real benifit of full circle clips?also anyone got the part number on them?
The half circle clips (the ones that would be on there stock) don't do a great job of holding the caps in and allow them to walk out of the shaft, resulting in joint/shaft failure.
Some people tack weld the caps to the shafts, full circle clips also seems to do a good job of keeping the caps in.
AFAIK all aftermarket shafts are machined for full circle clips.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Yea, mine came with 8 circle clips and only the inners machined to accept them.
how many tacks?i broke my 30 splinne stuff and im putting 35s in this weekend
I don't know, seems like I've seen 6 or 8 tacks. I'd be kinda worried about it burning the grease and causing a short life for the joint (which will then be much harder to change).
If you have the shafts out, I'd modify them for full circle clips and call it good.
Easy Tiger. Not the expert you seem to be.
Oh, so in the post you quoted in your reply that included the two big pictures showing the shaft yokes and where they had to grind to fit full-circle clips on the u-joints, and the text in that quote you highlighted red.....sorry if I didn't realize you were talking about something completely different.
If there was anything at all that even looked remotely close to the picture inside the bearing hub / locking hub I would accept the explanation.
So I ask again, have you ever looked closely at a front axle?
sope
1/2 ton status
I had the expeirience of a half circle clip coming out after I re used it. I believe the full curcles are the way to go. I've hammered on my truck with them and no problems. I prefer this over tacking them. I have friends that tack them but I figure who carries a grinder on the trail. Seems like it would be a pain in the ass to replace them.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Why does it matter to this thread?
Oh, so in the post you quoted in your reply that included the two big pictures showing the shaft yokes and where they had to grind to fit full-circle clips on the u-joints, and the text in that quote you highlighted red.....sorry if I didn't realize you were talking about something completely different.
If there was anything at all that even looked remotely close to the picture inside the bearing hub / locking hub I would accept the explanation.
So I ask again, have you ever looked closely at a front axle?
Since you asked. My work computer only shows about half the pictures posted on this site due to company firewall bullsh1t or something to that affect. When I can't see pics that are posted, the post on my computer reads as if a pic was never attached. Next time I'll try to be a super awsome mechanic too and get a better laptop that shows ALL posted pics.
