1998 Ford Ranger 4WD CV axle retaining clips

I am in the process of replacing the lower ball joints on my 1998 Ranger and, while pulling the hub from the right side CV axle, I broke the plastic retaining clip and sprung the spiral clip Can anyone tell me if these clips are available somewhere and where ? Also, the plastic clip has a ridge on one side. Does this "ridge" face inward or outward on the axle ? Thanks !

 

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well sorry to tell but i to had to replace that ring a little will ago and it is a dealer only part from what i can find.

 

got a picture? i gotta do my ball joints this week, dont wanna do the same thing lol

 

Sorry, don't have a picture but near as I can tell Ford says to replace these clips every time they are removed ( of course they would say that ). I still can't quite figure out how youre SUPPOSED to get them out without :censored: them up because the diameter of the clip ( when it is spread ) is JUST BARELY smaller than the diameter of the recess in the hub.
I DID find a few places to order them online and while the stealerships want $30 each, I found them at www.fordpartsgiant.com for $14.10 each -- The part number for these clips is: F87Z-3B457-AA. I just have to wait a few days to get them -- if you are planning to take yours apart, better order the clips now so IF you need them, you will have them.
Thanks for your responses -- Hope that this helps someone else out when they get to do theirs.

 

So this was when pulling the hub off the axle right? If I'm visualizing this right, you don't have to do that, do you? Can't you just tie that whole thing up to hold it out if the way?

 

6.2, Unfortunately, when you get to the point that everything is loose from the upper and lower ball joints ( but still attached to the cv axle ) there's not enough room to get a ball joint press on the ball joint and definitely not enough room to swing a hammer to knock the lower ball joint out ( which is what I did ). As a matter of fact, because it was so much of a hassle to get to it, I decided that I was going to replace both the lowers AND uppers to make sure I wasn't going to be taking it all back apart anytime soon.
If you want, send me a private message and I'll send you my number to help you out any way I can.

 

Hmm. Was reading a guide on replacing the LBJ and all he did was tie the whole assembly up out of the way. He used a ball joint press. I'll try and find the article.

 

If that works 6.2 please let me know -- I searched for articles and vids about the job before starting it and they all showed removal of the CV axle from the hub ( with or without a press ) and after doing the job on one side, I would have given anything to be able to replace the other side without removing the hub. I can't see how it could be done with the hub / steering knuckle and CV axle still in the way. With the shock and stabilizer still attached as well as the upper control arm, there's no room to move it far enough to work on replacing the LBJ.

 

When I get to work I'll post the link. Driving right now, can't find it on my phone lol.

 

hmm, maybe im misunderstanding something after reading this thread, and the other one. but ive been awake for way to long so thats my excuse if i am.

but heres the article i read. is this the same way you did it?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

 

with that link he says to remove the cv axel nut well if ur looking to replace that axel retaining clip then u dont have that axel nut u have a plastic ring with a peice on spring steel holding around it to hold it in place ill do some looking here to find a link to show u.

 

step #10 kinda shows the part he is asking about.
http://www.autorepairinstructions.com/?p=17
shows him using snap ring pliers to remove the clip which most the time well break when removing and as stated before it is a dealer only part as far as i know and they range from like 15-25$ each there.

 

Now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure they changed the setup in 2000 or something.

Ah well. I'll see what happens when I get it all tore down this weekend.

 

No problem 6.2, I wanted to understand how it was possible to replace the LBJ without removing the CV axle from the hub but, after reading the article that you sent, I think that I just wasn't explaining it properly.
The article that you sent ( and others that I have seen ) instructs to remove the 32 mm CV axle nut and then, after removing the castle nut on the LBJ, the tie rod end and the pinch bolt from the UBJ, removing the steering knuckle from the CV axle -- THIS is the part I have been referring to as "removing the CV axle from the hub". I'm not sure what Ford models / years are similar but I do know that the 1998 Ford Ranger XLT supercab 4WD does not have a "CV axle nut" -- the part that holds the CV axle in the hub / steering knuckle is that $30 plastic clip that was the topic of this thread. Obviously, by the photos in the article you sent, the Ford Explorer has a nut ( but no clip ).
After you get the steering knuckle ( hub ) removed from the CV axle you can then tie the CV axle up and out of the way with plenty of room to work on the LBJ. -- Hope this helps !

 

Thanks GlennK -- Yep. That's the expensive POS clip I'm talking about.

 

ya i had the same issue it sucks thats its a dealer only part but it is something u well need and sucks that it cost so much for some plactic and metal.

 

ok yeah, after reading into it more they did away with the vacuum actuated 4x4 in 2001 as far as i can tell. and switched over to a live axle, aka everything moves all the time, only thing that engages and disengages is the transfer case.

so good to know.

 

I think they switched to live hubs mid 2000.

 

ya the 98-2000.5 year rangers had a messed up 4wd system