THSCC Forums

Hi guys,

Had a CV boot go bad on the Mazda3 and am replacing the axle (driver's side). Got the old one out but can't get the new one in. Can't seem to get the circlip to compress and fit in its groove in the transmission. I've tried pushing, banging and prying and am running low on patience and energy. Any helpful hints or big hammers would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Lee

I have had a bear of a time getting one out before, but not putting them in. They seem to like a single swift motion to get them to pop in or out. Pushing slowly until the ring is up against the diff and needs to compress and then applying more static force may not work. Motion/inertia seems to be needed. Slid hammer style. So you catch that ring by surprise and it has no time to bind up!

Any burs on the diff that might be catching it and preventing it from compressing? It's a long shot, but apply some grease to the ring?

Richard

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Thanks for the input Richard. Managed to get it back on and what worked for me was a combination of things, some of which you mentioned. I think that some banging I did last night did cause some burs, so I smoothed that out. Grease on the circlip to help center it seemed to help. Mostly, it seemed to be getting it centered properly and holding it there with another person tapping it in with a rubber mallet. I expected it to snap in like all of the YouTube videos but instead, it went in very gradually. Hope that I didn't muck up anything with unnecessary roughness. In any case, it's done... for now.

+1. The grease can actually help center the ring. I've had more than one shaft where the ring was too big and dangled too low preventing insertion. Lube it up, center it, and Kapoweee!

Edit: Doh, sounds like you came to the same conclusion while I was watching one too many badger videos delaying my post.

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Stephen Westerfield
2009 Infiniti M35 | 2007 Honda Fit Sport | 2005 Ford Mustang GT |2000 GMC Sierra |1992 Acura Integra LS | Super Westerfield Bros Acura Integra

Are we still talking about an axle?

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)