Loose Axle
 

So I'm under the Miata yesterday evening, just looking around and tightening things. When I check the axles, the passenger side axle can slide out of the diff about 3/4 of an inch. Drivers side is solid. There is a locking clip in the diff I believe and it hasn't locked.

Do I really have to pull it all apart to seat it correctly or is there some special trick out there to seat it properly?

Thanks,
Den

There is a special trick.

There you go again picking on the Canada guys! What no coffee yet this morning Tbone? ;)

Can't tell you on a 7.5 but the 8.8s slide right out, no C clips involved. My hunch is if you are using a Monster kit the spacer at the outboard CV is not there.


EDIT actually now that I think about that I'm not sure the shaft would even turn without the spacer. Still I don't think it is a diff problem I think it's an axle / CV problem. You might want to pop those boots open and see if there is any grease in them. I fired one of mine a couple weeks ago due to the exhaust cooking the grease out of it.

Yes, I am using the Monster Kit and I can guarantee that both spacers are in. It is loose where the half shaft goes into the differential.

Perhaps Tbone can share the special trick?

Thanks,
Den

OK so what moves exactly? You grab the inboard CV and push out right? Does just the CV move or does the axle go with it? If the axle goes with it does the outboard CV move too?

This is great timing I have mine torn down and the new axle and CV going in tonight so I can check whatever you need! All be it I'm an 8.8 but same everything else.

Yes, that is correct, just the inner CV moves probably about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. The axle itself does not move. The driver side is solid and does not move. I can take a little video when I get home after work today.

Thanks for your help...
Den

Hummm maybe there is suppose to be c clips in there. Is this car under construction or does it have miles on it?

I'm thinking a 3 minute phone call to Martin is in order here!

Yes, under construction still and I'm sure the C-clips were on there, I guess there is a chance that it may have broke when I installed it.

I think you're right... a phone call is in order...

I'd just give Martin a call. You bought the axles and diff from him, correct?
And just so you know (being a modest Canadian and all), there were several times I had small little issues that stumped me, I'd give Martin a call or shoot him an email and he'd always be ready to lend support and a chuckle. I'm sure he wasn't always thrilled to see my number on his call display, but he always SEEMED happy to hear from me regardless.
Call him.

edit: OK you beat me to the punch lol

+1 ^^ It's been 2 years since I last talked to him and he knew me when I called and remembered I was running an 8.8. He gave me a good deal on an axle just for having problems with one of his parts. He's good people!

There are C-clips on the end of the axle. You need to push the axle in far enough for those to open up and retain the axle. It can sometimes be difficult to, with only about a mm or so of clearance.

I'v found that firmy pushing in on the axle stub while rotating it in the differential will eventually allow it to pop open in there. Give it a gentle tug, and it should not move out more than a mm or two.

Sounds like you have a c-clip missing or you have the wrong style axle gear on that side. It could be that the c-clip groove is not machined in the correct location or you are using the wrong c-clip. Also, depending on which axle ratio you have, the carrier assembly is shimmed over to one side of the case resulting in more end play in the axles/tripod housings on one side as compared to the other.

So a little more to the story, I'm trying to get the axle in while a buddy turns the wheel. Click, in she goes, nice and snug. However, this kicks the drivers side axle out. It is now loose so, turn the wheel, push the drivers cv back in and, click, in she goes. Well guess what... Out comes the passenger axle, did this six or seven times. Same thing.

So here I am, anybody got any ideas. I suspect the half shafts may have to machined down a tad or???.

Any help is appreciated...
Den

Sounds to me like neither axle is actually "snapping" into place. It requires a little force with a suitable prying tool to disengage the inner cv from the side gear when it's right. The attached thread might help, as it pretty much describes what you're experiencing. If this is your problem, it apparently is fixed by grinding a little material off the end of the cv splines. It might be helpful to support the center section and remove the rear cover so you can see what's going on in there. Incidentally, the rear cover doesn't have a gasket, just rtv.

IRS axle issue in my Coupe - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

Mike

I agree with Mike. I can't imagine that those axle stubs would be long enough to push the other one out the other side. However, just when you think you've seen it all......

When you get one axle to snap into place, how much force does it take to pull it back out again? Should be quite a bit. I can't pull mine out by hand, I have to pry them out.

.boB:

When the axle is seated properly I can't pull it out by hand. It's only when I slide the opposite axle in that it knocks the other side out. I'll be popping the axles out and taking a little bit off the ends.

Thanks,
Den

The ends of the axle never touch each other, they can't. The differential cross pin runs between them. Sounds like you have the wrong/weak c-clips on the stub shafts.

So I pulled out the axles, ground off about 1/8 inch from the ends of both axles. There was approx 3/16 inch left outside the c-clip. Click - click, they both went in very solidly.

When I took out the axles I had a look inside the diff. I could see where the axles where making contact with the cross pin.

Easy fix...

Thanks
Den

You may have had the wrong cross pin. Some are round & some have flat spots where the axle shafts come through. I think the round ones are used on the solid axle cars.