tnt1197

Having issues getting R/side CV shaft to seat all the way in and engage the circlip. Disclaimer - I drive over the road, and wasn't home when this happened. I just get to try to pick up the pieces.
1) AutoZone CV shaft. Original was turned in as core.
2) original CV shaft failed as a result of improper wheel bearing replacement.
3) Waiting on new wheel bearing and disc from RockAuto. "Don't Ask!!!"

I read thru the FAQ section, and I have the Honda shop manual. The steering knuckle is currently completely removed from the front suspension. I set the shaft in, spun it to ensure the splines were engaged, and tried the "slidehammer" method to engage the clip. No joy. I am leery of the hammer method, but going to try that next. Is there a measurement of the trans side spline shaft to see if it's too long? My other thought was to take my sidewinder with a 60 grit flap disc to the end of the shaft. Yeah, really frustrated. Also, how much clearance should there be between the CV block and the face of the transmission? As best I can tell, currently there is between 1/16th and 1/8th using the slidehammer method. Any info/ suggestions appreciated.

integrainside

I can't remember for sure, but I don't think I even have a c clip on my half shaft. Seems unnecessary since it is bolted to the block it can't fall out.

Anyway, if the half shaft is all the way into your differential, and the bolts don't line up I would think you may have the wrong part.

tnt1197

97 del sol uses circlips on both halfshafts. No bolts. A Ford Better Idea. NOT!!!

integrainside

Are we talking about half shaft or CV Axles here? You only have one half shaft on your car.

tnt1197

sorry, CV shaft, L/side

integrainside

So your new passenger side axle will not slide completely onto the half shaft? Definitely don't go grinding any metal away.

tnt1197

Sorry. Tired, frustrated. R/side CV shaft. Just pulled head from third point of contact.

94EG8

Did you check the new inner joint against the old inner joint? Always check to make sure the new axle matches the old one because sometimes they don't.

tnt1197

1) edited original post. 2) Would have if I was here.

94EG8

I realize hindsight is 20/20, but never turn in your core until everything is back together and verified working. I've seen way too many Honda axles not made right, I've seen the inner joints switched from side to side (usually one is a fair bit longer than the other where it's splined into the diff), I've seen the axle too short, vibrate under acceleration or in some cases just plain be the wrong axle.

I wish I could give you a better answer, it's really hard to verify if you're doing something wrong vs just a bad/wrong axle if you can't compare it to the original. You can however remove the circlip to verify that it will slide in all the way though, then reinstall the clip and try again.

tnt1197

ok thanks. Guess it waits til end of Dec. Back out tomorrow til home for Christmas.