Intermediate shaft question

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SAString

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I recently changed my passenger side CV axle. When I removed the old axle, I noticed the intermediate shaft did not have anything in the grove that is about 1/4" from the outside end.

Is there supposed to be a clip or lock ring in that groove?

Thanks for answers, pictures and part numbers if any.
 

duderz7

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Yes, there should be a snap ring in there, keep able from backing off
 

SAString

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Yes, there should be a snap ring in there, keep able from backing off

Thanks Duderz: Ok I want to be sure we are talking about the passenger side, outboard end of the Intermediate shaft. My splines have grove but no such snap ring. I'll try to post/attach a picture.

When I pulled this, there was no grease and no ring. I cleaned off the rust (the shaft is only 5 months old) greased it and slid on the new CV Axle (no clip.) Should I take it back to the 4WP shop that installed the shaft the first time and have them install the clip?

9500d1532315444-intermediate-shaft-question-shaft-no-clip.jpg
 

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SAString

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I found this post over on Lost Jeeps:
"There is a C clip that goes on each end of the intermediate shaft to hold it together. Not an O-ring. the clip part # is 5066064AA it holds the axel to the shaft."

I'm wondering if the shop will say, "the clip doesn't do anything and it's our practice not to install it", or something like that. It might just keep the shaft from rattling around, causing vibes and premature wear. I don't know, hoping someone can confirm.
 

duderz7

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I had an axle back or on me and destroy both the shaft and cv. Luckily I was able to get both replaced under warranty as they were both only weeks old. Get that snap ring and put it on the shaft then slide the axle on until it clicks. Put some great on it too. While you have it apart tug on the shaft, if it slides out of the diff easily they likely didn't put the snap ring in there either. Sounds like maybe the shop that did your work didn't realize the snap rings stay in place while thing are slid into position.
 

tommudd

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Thanks Duderz: Ok I want to be sure we are talking about the passenger side, outboard end of the Intermediate shaft. My splines have grove but no such snap ring. I'll try to post/attach a picture.

When I pulled this, there was no grease and no ring. I cleaned off the rust (the shaft is only 5 months old) greased it and slid on the new CV Axle (no clip.) Should I take it back to the 4WP shop that installed the shaft the first time and have them install the clip?

Would never put a used intermediate shaft against a new CV, no matter the age
 

SAString

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Would never put a used intermediate shaft against a new CV, no matter the age

Thanks Tom. Good advice in retrospect. Earlier this year, I was told (on here) that the intermediate shaft could be causing my vibration issues, so when I had 4WP do my shocks and springs, I had them install a new Intermediate shaft. They didn't recommend anything about replacing the CV Axle at the same time. Now that I have more knowledge about the interface, that would have been the best thing to do. But the fact of the matter is that they forgot to install the clip! and didn't use any grease. I noticed all this when I decided to replace the passenger CV axle myself. So there is a good chance the old CV axle spines messed-up the new shaft and now the shaft is messing up the new CV axle (especially without the clip). I'm not sure were fault should be pointed here, but I'm going to try to have them replace the shaft & axle free of charge for their mistake. (I'm concerned they may have left the clip off the diff end also!)
 

JBDive

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Would never put a used intermediate shaft against a new CV, no matter the age

So going to divert this thread just a touch since the posters were active on this topic.

I've had multiple techs swear all my frontend noise if tire based however I just can't agree with this. I have the whirrr, whirr at 35-50 MPH with a slightly different noise which is a lot less loud at over 55. I also feel a grit or gravel feel in the gas pedal at the lower speeds which matched the sound in pattern.

Front drive shaft was replaced already and I just had the engine replaced so I'd like to get everything nice and smooth so I can get more feedback on the engine. From what I gather most people are finding the Left Front CVT shaft is the problem, the end get rounded off. Most seem to just do the driver's side or at least start there then later on do the rest. With the comment above though and considering the typical rounding off of the CVT axle would anyone recommend just doing the left w/o doing the right and since you are doing the right why wouldn't you do the inner axle?

Parts wise I can get the Right and Front pretty easily but the inner is costlier and harder to find, NAPA doesn't carry one at all.

Comments?
 

SAString

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So going to divert this thread just a touch since the posters were active on this topic.

I've had multiple techs swear all my frontend noise if tire based however I just can't agree with this. I have the whirrr, whirr at 35-50 MPH with a slightly different noise which is a lot less loud at over 55. I also feel a grit or gravel feel in the gas pedal at the lower speeds which matched the sound in pattern.

Front drive shaft was replaced already and I just had the engine replaced so I'd like to get everything nice and smooth so I can get more feedback on the engine. From what I gather most people are finding the Left Front CVT shaft is the problem, the end get rounded off. Most seem to just do the driver's side or at least start there then later on do the rest. With the comment above though and considering the typical rounding off of the CVT axle would anyone recommend just doing the left w/o doing the right and since you are doing the right why wouldn't you do the inner axle?

Parts wise I can get the Right and Front pretty easily but the inner is costlier and harder to find, NAPA doesn't carry one at all.

Comments?

Sounds like you are heading down the same path I went through. Rumble and vibes 45-55. Replaced the front Drive shaft, no improvement. You can replace the driver (left side) CV axle without needing to do the right side immediately (be careful of the old seal when you pull and replace the left shaft). I think most people have issues with passenger (right side) CV axle because of the additional complexity of the Intermediate shaft in the mix. If the clip lets go and the axle backs out the shaft spines, it's only a matter of time before the shaft and axle chew each other up! Replace both shaft and Right axle at the same time. Grease it well and don't forget the clips!
 

SAString

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It's been almost 9 months since this was an issue for me, but now it's back. TOM MUDD what would be the symptoms of a CV axle being replaced with one that was too short? 4WP changed the passenger side and I still felt a "flutter" after a few months, so i tool it back to them showing them how "floppy" the CV joint was. They said "they are all like that, it's normal". Now 5 months later the flutter is worse and the CV is "Floppier." Is this normal? Did they give me a bad or short shaft?
 

tommudd

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It's been almost 9 months since this was an issue for me, but now it's back. TOM MUDD what would be the symptoms of a CV axle being replaced with one that was too short? 4WP changed the passenger side and I still felt a "flutter" after a few months, so i tool it back to them showing them how "floppy" the CV joint was. They said "they are all like that, it's normal". Now 5 months later the flutter is worse and the CV is "Floppier." Is this normal? Did they give me a bad or short shaft?

Not normal at all
At this point I would want to replace the intermediate shaft again, a rebuilt NAPA CV, and the bearing/seal on the right side
 

SAString

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Not normal at all
At this point I would want to replace the intermediate shaft again, a rebuilt NAPA CV, and the bearing/seal on the right side

Thanks Tom, I'll need to discuss this with 4WP again. When I say "floppy" I'm referring to the hollow metal "can" or cover over the inboard/upper joint. It easily flops around and I even get about 1/4" lateral in/out movement. There is no "clicking" in a tight turn or torn boot to let in contaminants. The fluttering vibe starts about 40mph up and also occurs on deceleration. Is this a symptom of a too short shaft? I'm just needing some ammunition when going back to 4WP since they say the loose can is normal and can't tell me where the vibe is coming from. Thanks.
 

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