Rear Diff axle problems

snowman4us · 03-08-2006, 02:01 PM

So in curently doing a WRX(ej20G, came w/ my engine) tranny swap.
Everything went in properly, except im having a MAJOR problem trying to put in the rear axles. THe C clips are set up diff. between the stock rear end and the Viscous unit im putting in(i got the proper axles). the clips on the Viscous unit stay in the diff, where the stock unit clips come out w/ the axles.
Anyone got an idea on how to get the new C-clips into the rear diff?

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tweakling · 03-08-2006, 03:25 PM

Bump for this. I have the exact same problem. We were able to get the passenger side rear axle in, but the clip just seemed too thick to get the driver side in. I've been driving around for a bit with no clip at all, which will most likely end up damaging something, so I need to get this figured out as well.

Jaxx · 03-08-2006, 04:13 PM

i gave up and didn't put the clips back in ...

tweakling · 03-08-2006, 04:47 PM

Glad to hear I'm not the only one...

RallySport Direct · 03-08-2006, 06:12 PM

I have no previous experience installing rear LSD axels, but I have an idea and let me know if it would even be possible.
Could you use something like a Piston Ring compressor, to compress the "clip" and slide it into the diff? Of course you will not use a ring compressor, but something similar and smaller.
Just an idea
Rick

Matt Monson · 03-08-2006, 06:37 PM

Are you guys dealing with the finned Hitachi rear diff case?

snowman4us · 03-08-2006, 08:08 PM

Jaxx how is it w/o the clips?
and im going to tear the rear diff apart tomorow becoue one of the C clips broke and got lost in the diff

. and see if i can get them to go in.

and it seems like you need to put the clip in the diff first and then put the axle, in. where in most other cases it goes on the axles and then you slide it all in.

Storm · 03-08-2006, 08:25 PM

Chamfer the end of the axle and put the clip in the diff first. Unorthodox...but works.

Joel Gat had some of these same issues in the past.

Jaxx · 03-08-2006, 08:49 PM

i haven't had any proulems but then i have put a many miles on my car +i have all super solid bushings back there

snowman4us · 03-09-2006, 01:29 PM

i went ahead and pulled the diff apart to see if it would be easier, and its not.
i just went ahead and put the axles in w/o the clips. hope they hold up.

tweakling · 03-09-2006, 01:55 PM

I talked to Kevin at JDM Importers about this a while back. He said he knew a guy who had a trick for getting the clips into the diff with needle-nose pliers or something like that. Regardless, it's a huge PITA.

One of the axles I got didn't actually have a clip on it, nor was there one inside the diff, so the guy who was working on it pulled one off my old 2.5 RS axle. Since he couldn't get the axle in with the clip on it, he assumed it must be thicker than the clip that it had originally. Kevin had sent me a clip off another axle he had sitting around, but it ended up being the same size. I think it got thrown out a while back, so now I need to get a new one before I can have another go at it.

BTW, I did ask a Subaru master mechanic about this a while back, and he said it would be a bad idea to drive around for too long w/o that clip.

-Rob

Jaxx · 03-09-2006, 04:23 PM

the danger would be that it would pull out just enough to disengage and then burn up your center diff as the rear wouldn't have any path to the ground

snowman4us · 03-09-2006, 10:26 PM

im actualy doing this in class, and after talking to my tranny and suspention instructors they both agree that its not that big of a deal. due to the fact that, the axlein the rear has very little movment back there(only up and down) and not horizontal movment, wich would be the only cause of the axle slipping out.

tweakling · 03-15-2006, 02:52 PM

FYI, I asked sixpack subaru about this and got the following response:

"I would try a two wheel drive one and if that didn't fit I would linish down the 'thick' one to fit, (done this before, just don't get the clip too hot!)."

What model/year Subarus were two wheel drive? I have a hard time believing such a thing exists.

-Rob

Jaxx · 03-15-2006, 03:42 PM

90-96 legacys
93-96 imprezas
90-96 svx
on the base and in some cases mid range models

tweakling · 03-15-2006, 04:23 PM

Word. Would you also happen to know what the name for this clip would be in a Subaru parts catalog? Looking at subaruparts.com, and these are some of the possibilities:

28335 - Snap ring $6.34
28435A - Snap ring $4.53
28333 - Circlip-doj (no. 1) $3.72
28333 - Circlip-doj (no. 2) $5.66

snowman4us · 03-16-2006, 12:08 AM

Been driving around w/ it like that, and there is no problem w/ it. Even when i lift my car up on a hoist the hubs dont drop far enoughf for the axles to even budge out of the diff. so im just going to leave it alone.

PS. LSD KICKS @SS. the car is MUCH more stable around high speed corners, and the vehicle is MUCH more predictible.

tweakling · 07-13-2006, 05:10 PM

I'm reviving this thread since this issue has come back to bite me in the ass.

After installing a set of Perrin rear end links a few weeks ago, I began hearing a knocking noise from the left rear. I finally found time to take a closer look last weekend and found that the axle was sitting halfway out of the differential, enough so that all the gear oil was able to drain out. This would be the same axle that is missing the little $5 circle clip discussed above.

A few other people mentioned here that they'd left this clip off. Has anyone else ended up having this problem?

-Rob

scobaru · 07-13-2006, 05:22 PM

you guys dont need these axles right? the one on the left

I've had the problem of finding these axles for a wile

Deride · 11-20-2006, 08:56 PM

I need the ones on the left, what are those from?

kingsubi · 11-20-2006, 10:49 PM

The ones on the left are from early jdm and some nadm lsd equipped vehicles. I have them for my jdm diff and they have both called it quits. I can't seem to find anyone to refurbish them (this is the inside tripod bearing) so I just bought a new-used diff and axles. So I have a set and the diff that goes with them if anyone wants to try and get them fixed...

kheff46 · 11-21-2006, 10:01 AM

the USDM Axle i used were from a forester 2002 w/LSD. they were the same left to right. drivers side will be a smooshed together tulip while pass side will be extended while being help in place by this STUPID clip.

i had this clip come out and no dealer knew what i had. JDM LSD is not in their book. but the same part is in every USDM LSD. i got the clip after 8 different trips and orders to dealers, online stores, etc. they are thick wire clips, not spring clip, not C clip, E clip, etc. WIRE CLIP is what they all use as terminology.

grab the middle of the clip with needle nose pliers(ends of wire clip pointing 2 handles of pliers). push into axle hole until middle of clip is in line with groove in LSD splines. with a flat head screwdriver push clip ends one way while trying to hold or go the other way with your pliers. you're essentially flipping the clip 90 degrees, and since you lined it up halfway thru the wire clip it should go in just fine. it took an hour to do 2. but thats after messing around for 1/2 hour trying the first one 100 diff. ways.

and i was smart enough to buy a couple extra clips for the future!

--keith

03-08-2006, 02:01 PM	#1
snowman4us Scooby Specialist Member#: 21764 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salty Lake Vehicle: Some GDM V8, JDM Flat 4 X2	Rear Diff axle problems So in curently doing a WRX(ej20G, came w/ my engine) tranny swap. Everything went in properly, except im having a MAJOR problem trying to put in the rear axles. THe C clips are set up diff. between the stock rear end and the Viscous unit im putting in(i got the proper axles). the clips on the Viscous unit stay in the diff, where the stock unit clips come out w/ the axles. Anyone got an idea on how to get the new C-clips into the rear diff? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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03-08-2006, 03:25 PM	#2
tweakling Scooby Newbie Member#: 33072 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Centreville, VA Vehicle: '95 EJ20g v1 STI RA BRP, 2001 GC8 chassis	Bump for this. I have the exact same problem. We were able to get the passenger side rear axle in, but the clip just seemed too thick to get the driver side in. I've been driving around for a bit with no clip at all, which will most likely end up damaging something, so I need to get this figured out as well.

03-08-2006, 04:13 PM	#3
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	i gave up and didn't put the clips back in ...

03-08-2006, 04:47 PM	#4
tweakling Scooby Newbie Member#: 33072 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Centreville, VA Vehicle: '95 EJ20g v1 STI RA BRP, 2001 GC8 chassis	Glad to hear I'm not the only one...

03-08-2006, 06:12 PM	#5
RallySport Direct NASIOC Vendor Member#: 33174 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salt Lake City Utah Vehicle: We are Open Late! 888-457-2559 Every day!	I have no previous experience installing rear LSD axels, but I have an idea and let me know if it would even be possible. Could you use something like a Piston Ring compressor, to compress the "clip" and slide it into the diff? Of course you will not use a ring compressor, but something similar and smaller. Just an idea Rick

03-08-2006, 06:37 PM	#6
Matt Monson Scooby Guru Member#: 832 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Teh Ghetto Garage, CO Vehicle: 99 2.5RS, '85 911 '73 914 and 2012 BRZ	Are you guys dealing with the finned Hitachi rear diff case?

03-08-2006, 08:08 PM	#7
snowman4us Scooby Specialist Member#: 21764 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salty Lake Vehicle: Some GDM V8, JDM Flat 4 X2	Jaxx how is it w/o the clips? and im going to tear the rear diff apart tomorow becoue one of the C clips broke and got lost in the diff . and see if i can get them to go in. and it seems like you need to put the clip in the diff first and then put the axle, in. where in most other cases it goes on the axles and then you slide it all in.

03-08-2006, 08:25 PM	#8
Storm Scooby Guru Member#: 5218 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: SAUL'S Motorsports Vehicle: 96L Most Over- Developed Beater	Chamfer the end of the axle and put the clip in the diff first. Unorthodox...but works. Joel Gat had some of these same issues in the past.

03-08-2006, 08:49 PM	#9
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	i haven't had any proulems but then i have put a many miles on my car +i have all super solid bushings back there

03-09-2006, 01:29 PM	#10
snowman4us Scooby Specialist Member#: 21764 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salty Lake Vehicle: Some GDM V8, JDM Flat 4 X2	i went ahead and pulled the diff apart to see if it would be easier, and its not. i just went ahead and put the axles in w/o the clips. hope they hold up.

03-09-2006, 01:55 PM	#11
tweakling Scooby Newbie Member#: 33072 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Centreville, VA Vehicle: '95 EJ20g v1 STI RA BRP, 2001 GC8 chassis	I talked to Kevin at JDM Importers about this a while back. He said he knew a guy who had a trick for getting the clips into the diff with needle-nose pliers or something like that. Regardless, it's a huge PITA. One of the axles I got didn't actually have a clip on it, nor was there one inside the diff, so the guy who was working on it pulled one off my old 2.5 RS axle. Since he couldn't get the axle in with the clip on it, he assumed it must be thicker than the clip that it had originally. Kevin had sent me a clip off another axle he had sitting around, but it ended up being the same size. I think it got thrown out a while back, so now I need to get a new one before I can have another go at it. BTW, I did ask a Subaru master mechanic about this a while back, and he said it would be a bad idea to drive around for too long w/o that clip. -Rob

03-09-2006, 04:23 PM	#12
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	the danger would be that it would pull out just enough to disengage and then burn up your center diff as the rear wouldn't have any path to the ground

03-09-2006, 10:26 PM	#13
snowman4us Scooby Specialist Member#: 21764 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salty Lake Vehicle: Some GDM V8, JDM Flat 4 X2	im actualy doing this in class, and after talking to my tranny and suspention instructors they both agree that its not that big of a deal. due to the fact that, the axlein the rear has very little movment back there(only up and down) and not horizontal movment, wich would be the only cause of the axle slipping out.

03-15-2006, 02:52 PM	#14
tweakling Scooby Newbie Member#: 33072 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Centreville, VA Vehicle: '95 EJ20g v1 STI RA BRP, 2001 GC8 chassis	FYI, I asked sixpack subaru about this and got the following response: "I would try a two wheel drive one and if that didn't fit I would linish down the 'thick' one to fit, (done this before, just don't get the clip too hot!)." What model/year Subarus were two wheel drive? I have a hard time believing such a thing exists. -Rob

03-15-2006, 03:42 PM	#15
Jaxx NASIOC Supporter Member#: 177 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Boise,Idaho,USA Vehicle: The 93 Imp W/EJ20K flat black	90-96 legacys 93-96 imprezas 90-96 svx on the base and in some cases mid range models

03-15-2006, 04:23 PM	#16
tweakling Scooby Newbie Member#: 33072 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Centreville, VA Vehicle: '95 EJ20g v1 STI RA BRP, 2001 GC8 chassis	Word. Would you also happen to know what the name for this clip would be in a Subaru parts catalog? Looking at subaruparts.com, and these are some of the possibilities: 28335 - Snap ring $6.34 28435A - Snap ring $4.53 28333 - Circlip-doj (no. 1) $3.72 28333 - Circlip-doj (no. 2) $5.66

03-16-2006, 12:08 AM	#17
snowman4us Scooby Specialist Member#: 21764 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Salty Lake Vehicle: Some GDM V8, JDM Flat 4 X2	Been driving around w/ it like that, and there is no problem w/ it. Even when i lift my car up on a hoist the hubs dont drop far enoughf for the axles to even budge out of the diff. so im just going to leave it alone. PS. LSD KICKS @SS. the car is MUCH more stable around high speed corners, and the vehicle is MUCH more predictible.

07-13-2006, 05:10 PM	#18
tweakling Scooby Newbie Member#: 33072 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Centreville, VA Vehicle: '95 EJ20g v1 STI RA BRP, 2001 GC8 chassis	I'm reviving this thread since this issue has come back to bite me in the ass. After installing a set of Perrin rear end links a few weeks ago, I began hearing a knocking noise from the left rear. I finally found time to take a closer look last weekend and found that the axle was sitting halfway out of the differential, enough so that all the gear oil was able to drain out. This would be the same axle that is missing the little $5 circle clip discussed above. A few other people mentioned here that they'd left this clip off. Has anyone else ended up having this problem? -Rob

07-13-2006, 05:22 PM	#19
scobaru Scooby Guru Member#: 31345 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wisconsin Vehicle: 05 LGT, GC8, NA blue, white, blue	you guys dont need these axles right? the one on the left I've had the problem of finding these axles for a wile

11-20-2006, 08:56 PM	#20
Deride Scooby Newbie Member#: 88588 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Duluth, MN Vehicle: 2002 2.5 RS Platinum Silver	I need the ones on the left, what are those from?

11-20-2006, 10:49 PM	#21
kingsubi Scooby Specialist Member#: 19239 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: International Location: UK	The ones on the left are from early jdm and some nadm lsd equipped vehicles. I have them for my jdm diff and they have both called it quits. I can't seem to find anyone to refurbish them (this is the inside tripod bearing) so I just bought a new-used diff and axles. So I have a set and the diff that goes with them if anyone wants to try and get them fixed...

11-21-2006, 10:01 AM	#22
kheff46 Scooby Specialist Member#: 66739 Join Date: Jul 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Medina, Ohio Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon silver	the USDM Axle i used were from a forester 2002 w/LSD. they were the same left to right. drivers side will be a smooshed together tulip while pass side will be extended while being help in place by this STUPID clip. i had this clip come out and no dealer knew what i had. JDM LSD is not in their book. but the same part is in every USDM LSD. i got the clip after 8 different trips and orders to dealers, online stores, etc. they are thick wire clips, not spring clip, not C clip, E clip, etc. WIRE CLIP is what they all use as terminology. grab the middle of the clip with needle nose pliers(ends of wire clip pointing 2 handles of pliers). push into axle hole until middle of clip is in line with groove in LSD splines. with a flat head screwdriver push clip ends one way while trying to hold or go the other way with your pliers. you're essentially flipping the clip 90 degrees, and since you lined it up halfway thru the wire clip it should go in just fine. it took an hour to do 2. but thats after messing around for 1/2 hour trying the first one 100 diff. ways. and i was smart enough to buy a couple extra clips for the future! --keith