Gearbox flange circlips / snap rings ?

[DieselMonkey]

Guys,

Any comments on how to properly fit these little circlips / snap rings onto the gearbox output shafts ? They where a fiddle to get off, but i managed it in 10 minutes with a couple of screw drivers....flanges changed, 2x 'repair kit' from VW and set about the job.

I had no hope of getting them in so i turned up a shaft the same dia. as the g'box (24.5 - 24.7 mm) and put 1 onto it with the help of the vice and flat head screw driver.

Set it against the g'box shaft and popped it off this shaft onto the output shaft of the gearbox. But, once i drove it back with a socket and it fell into place, it just looked odd. It doesnt sit as tight as the original factory installed ones and i dont feel happy leaving it the way it is. Its been stretched too much possibly, but i had thought about this, and the shaft i made was the same dia. as the gearbox.

Also, as part of the repair kit you also get a main seal for the output shaft (large outer one). I replaced these also but forgot to put a film of oil on the flange or the seal. I was told its good practice to add a small amount of grease or oil to the 2 contacting surfaces. Is this important ?  If so, i'd rather pull the flanges off now and lube the thing rather than take the risk.

Thanks in advance, DM.

[chrissev]

Guys,

Any comments on how to properly fit these little circlips / snap rings onto the gearbox output shafts ? They where a fiddle to get off, but i managed it in 10 minutes with a couple of screw drivers....flanges changed, 2x 'repair kit' from VW and set about the job.

I had no hope of getting them in so i turned up a shaft the same dia. as the g'box (24.5 - 24.7 mm) and put 1 onto it with the help of the vice and flat head screw driver.

Set it against the g'box shaft and popped it off this shaft onto the output shaft of the gearbox. But, once i drove it back with a socket and it fell into place, it just looked odd. It doesnt sit as tight as the original factory installed ones and i dont feel happy leaving it the way it is. Its been stretched too much possibly, but i had thought about this, and the shaft i made was the same dia. as the gearbox.

Also, as part of the repair kit you also get a main seal for the output shaft (large outer one). I replaced these also but forgot to put a film of oil on the flange or the seal. I was told its good practice to add a small amount of grease or oil to the 2 contacting surfaces. Is this important ?  If so, i'd rather pull the flanges off now and lube the thing rather than take the risk.

Thanks in advance, DM.

Hi:  re: getting the circlips back on:  I used snap ring pliers and a lot of patience.  There are, as you know, no holes in the circlips so you have to balance them on the ends of the snap ring pliers and manouver them over the output shafts.  The circlips deform easily so it is important not to pull them apart too much (like you probably did).  They are single use also.  Take them off, have to replace them.

Re: coating output shaft with grease.  I never did that on my jetta and the seals have been working fine for over 30,000km.  Hopefully it's not necessary, as I never in my life want to take those stupid, spring loaded flanges off again!

Chris