Releasing front-right half-shaft from ARB'd diff?

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:59 pm

Still doing battle with ARB-swap from gasser into CRD.
The CRD's F/R half-shaft cooperated quite nicely sliding out of the stock diff (& its axle-tube). I visually confirmed that the customary retainer circlip towards the end of half-shaft's spline was present and undamaged.
However, I'm having one hell of time trying to get the "twin" on the ARB'd gasser to release. I've replaced zillions of halfs' before, but never from an ARB'd diff. The left-side pulled-out normally, but is there a procedure I'm unaware of to "unclip" the right-side, or should I just grab the crowbar?
Thanks.

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:49 pm

I have an ARB locker up front and never had any difficulty getting the half shaft out of the diff. I've had trouble getting it out of the CV, but never the diff. I have used a crow bar against the back of the CV to get it moving, but never had to force it.

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:20 pm

Submitted for your amusement: field-method for separating stubborn right half-shaft from diff, my RV providing the best anchor;

And in the other corner, weighing in at 20-tons:

To the jacknstraps, add sledging on crowbar and STILL won't separate!

Unfortunately, the Gasser's hub lacks the ABS sensor of the CRD, therefore I can't just swap the whole hubnhalf-shaft assemblies.. Now I've gotta' pull the half-shafts out of the hubs to keep the ABS'd hub with the CRD.
More fun!

rankom · **Posted:** Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:56 pm

hm , im guessing if is ceased that bad ,, can you drain oil and remove cover and see if is same set up as rear axle shaft removal , so you can possibly remove spider gear C clip and remove intermediate shaft and axle shaft as one unit ? just a thought

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 24, 2016 7:36 pm

That's kinda' what I was wondering about, but bugnout says there's no difference between the way a right half-shaft splines into an ARB'd diff and a non-ARB; the twin from the stock CRD popped-out "normally".

I suppose I'll pop the case open and do a visual to see if there's any accessible/obvious finagling that can pop it free.

Thanks!

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Nov 24, 2016 8:53 pm

Wow, That looks stuck.

You are fighting two spring clips on either end of the half shaft. Maybe driving it back into the diff and trying again may re-positioning the spring clips and allow them to compress as you pulled out the axle.

I ran into improper sized spring clips on every replacement axle I've ever installed, way to big and would have to be forced in. I can imagine that they would be a bear to get out. I always replace them with new factory clips.

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2016 12:50 am

Great info about using oem spring clips on aftermarket CV half-shafts. Many thanks for the valuable input, especially on a US holiday!

I have been rotating the shaft in quarter-turns while strap/crowbar coaxing, along with mildly tapping on the CV's collar. Nada.
Maybe the outward-force is preventing the clip(s) from rotating in their spline-groove.
I'll try your idea of re-inserting to get the clips to cooperate

Sooo... if the 'ole in-out fails, do you think if I remove the diff-cover I'll at least be able to reach the innermost clip to compress/rotate/manipulate it loose, possibly reducing the battle for removal to a single (outer) clip?

Gypsy62 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2016 12:23 am

Hunting old threads, this:

"Axle Shafts

Chrysler 8.25" C-ClipsThe Chrysler 8.25" uses c-clips to hold the axle shafts into the differential side gears. Limited clearance between the axle shaft c-clip grooves and side gears can make c-clip installation and removal difficult. When c-clip installation is difficult, selecting thinner c-clips should allow easier future removal. ARB Air Lockers actually come with multiple c-clip thicknesses from which the installer can choose.

Yukon manufactures 30-7/8" 29-spline c-clip axle shafts, specifically designed for the Jeep Liberty's Chrysler 8.25" rear axle. Made of 1541H steel, they are 25% stronger than the OEM shafts. "

In any event, I was unable to get the ARB'd half-shaft's spring clip to release using the 'ole in-out, and the (sideways) pic below shows the cover off the ARB front diff. The orange pick is poked through a hole that may provide access for pressing on the spring clip, but I couldn't get it to cooperate:

Luckily I was able to coax-off the 37/38mm half-shaft nuts with a 6-point 1.5" socket. Gratefully, they cooperated out of the hub.
The battle rages on

Releasing front-right half-shaft from ARB'd diff?

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