Hi,
I helped a buddy last night fix the infamous "c-clip fell of front axle shaft" problem on his '95 Trooper. We did everything possible to put the c-clip back onto the axle shaft after we re-installed the spacer/washer on the axle shaft. After being unsuccessful for 1.5 hours, we removed the spacer/washer and then installed the c-clip. My question is: How critical is this spacer/washer and what is the "damage" that could occur without using it? My common sense tells me this spacer will help keep the c-clip in place ... and without it, the c-clip is more susceptible to getting "bumped off" the end of the axle shaft. Comments?? Thanks ... Fred.