I have an 89 GL 4 door automatic 2 wheel drive.Last weekend the lower ball joint came out of it's place, cotter pin must have broken, not exactly sure. When this happened the wheel assembly broke out and destroyed the inner cv boot. I took everything loose and discovered that the circlip/ retaining clip was 1/2 the size it should be. I just replaced both axels 3 mths. ago, and untill last weekend the boots were intact, so I would like to just replace the broken boot and the ball joint. The present cv's are aftermarket and I have not been able to find a replacement circlip except for the dealer. they could order one, but I'am not sure if it would even fit. Anyone know a reason why the cv should not be installed without this clip, it looks like the boot should be able to hold the cv in place till it's installed in the car?:-\

Circlip? I'm not sure exactly what part you are refering to.... take a look at my axle write up here, and point it out for us:

 

http://home.comcast.net/~trilinear/axle_rebuilding.html

 

GD

First, thanks for the quick reply. This part comes off of the front inner cv on the drivers side. Reviewed your link, the part you show in the photo refered to as"spring steel wire" is called by the dealers parts man a circlip. The one shown in your photo looks flat the one out of the cv is contured more to fit the slot. GD

Circlip? I'm not sure exactly what part you are refering to.... take a look at my axle write up here, and point it out for us:

 

http://home.comcast.net/~trilinear/axle_rebuilding.html

 

GD

 

So you just swap out the EA81 axle joint cups for EA82 joint cups and everything fits comfortably and everyone is happy ? what will this do if there is no present lift?

I ran without the circlip on a Toyota for awhile, until I found it lying on the garage floor and put it back on. It ran without for a couple of days. It didn't look like a problem, but who knows what will happen down the road....

 

What do you mean "it is half size"? Worn out, or broken, or the wrong part?

 

This part isn't exactly rocket science. "Acquire" one from a dead axle at the wrecker. Chances are it will fit close enough to hold the joint together while installing and removing the axle, which is all it is designed to do anyway.

 

Rob.

I ran without the circlip on a Toyota for awhile

 

Totally different on a soob.

 

Get one from a junk yard. And yes, you DO need it. The axle will pull apart as soon as you turn a corner without that wire.

 

BTW - a circlip to me is smaller than that thing... but I guess for lack of a better term that's what they call it. It's really just wire - it doesn't really even have much "spring" to it.

 

GD