That's what I did. My splines were pretty well worn off on my one side. The spline side wouldn't hold the snap ring, so I got 1 a mm or 2 smaller and ground down the original groove. It was still large enough to provide its snap ring goodness. I was going to replace the axle, but it seemed like too much for a trail only rig (this is on my Trail Trooper) unless necessary. Like said it has held up well through the abuse handed it.

It should also be noted that I am extremely cheap. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Jay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Jay.. I'm cheap too. This is my work truck/winter 4x4 (when it works). We are about to get dumped on again tonight/tomorrow so I'm hoping to find that smaller snap ring today and groove/install this evening. Auto parts stores act like they have never heard of a snap ring and certainly never heard of one with measurements in MM!! I converted for them though. I have a couple of leads. Thanks again for all that replied!

damn that feels good!! never discount the mood elevating properties of a successful engineering/wrenching session!! I bought a couple of 24 mm snap rings after work, jacked up the back of the truck, put it in 4 hi and ran it. This got the front axle spinning along nicely so I could dremel out a new groove for the 24 mm snap ring. Cleaned everything up, lubed and reassembled. Test drove it in a friend's snowy back 40 and it works like a charm!! The real test will be tomorrow when the white stuff comes down heavy!! Can't wait!! Thanks so much for the frugal solution. I'm sure glad I didn't have to buy that axle and this got me 4x4 ready fast for the big snow! Later, Gang!

JD

I love it when a plan comes together

I'm glad you were able to back yard engineer it back into commission. I think you are at least the second person on the wire I have helped with that one. Saving money on these old beasts is always a plus.

I actually had bought a new half axle to put in it, but then realized I would have to drop the whole front axle to put it in. I then tried to take the half axle apart at the inner joint to swap on the new one....I found the aftermarket version of the axle I bought had a different design to the joint than stock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

That was when I decided to regroove and resize.

Jay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Amazing -- this is EXACTLY what happened on my Rodeo. I had no idea the snap rings were gone until I put in 4x, and the axle shafts popped back from the hubs. Becuase of the miles put on during this time, the ends of the splines were completely GONE.



Thankfully, the Dremel - groove technique was successful, and a slightly-smaller snapring is holding things together OK.

I've had a clinking sound for a time on the '89 2.6 Trooper, which I was told was a broken snapring. The sound was about right for the size of the snapring, so I assumed that is what it was.

I opened the front hubs today, and the snapring appears to be in very good shape. I'll embed a picture, maybe if I can, to be sure I have the right snapring. If it doesn't work, follow the link. The hubs, btw, are Superwinch. The Trooper has 210,000 miles.

Superwinch Hubs



[img]http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kennethbreeze/album/576460762327747654/photo/294928804273501038/32[/img]



Is this, in fact, the 26mm snapring which periodically breaks? Or do I have to dig deeper into the hub.

Thanks, Ken

EDIT: That didn't work at all. I've always had a problem with this, and apparently always will. I guess it's cut and paste the above URL. Sorry

There's no other 26mm snap ring - that's it. If you have an unusual noise, keep looking.

However... I'm not entirely sure that's the only way to skin this cat. I'll be posting in that other thread you responded to about Superwinch hubs about it.