u-joint clips problem

[califkid_66]

i changed my u-joints and im having one side clip fits opposite side doesn’t any suggestions
the joints are spicer they are the same size

[BDA]

You are talking about the circlips, right? Make sure the cup with the circling that does fit is fully against the clip and the opposite cup is seated fully into the cross. If those things are done, there should be just enough room for the opposite clip.

Sometimes a needle gets dislodged which means that cup can’t be seated fully so make sure that’s not the case before you put any pressure on the cup.

[califkid_66]

i was doing real progress reinstalled the transmission with new seals shimmed my axles put in the lock pins no movement the only problem is the circlip i guess im going to take it all apart and start over
im not missing much i can see the groove wish  they had thinner circlips then it would fit

[BDA]

The kind of clips that needle nose pliers open up seem to be thicker than the kind with the little holes and requires special circlip pliers.

[califkid_66]

im gonna mesure the clips maybe the new clips are thicker

[jbcollier]

By how much is it off?  Just a wee bit?

If it is a lot, then perhaps a needle has slipped as Dr. BDA suggests.

If it's just a little off:
- did you clean the bores and grooves carefully?  If debris is holding one clip off its seat, the other won't fit.
- I use a lead hammer to make sure the cup is fully seated to its circlip and the other cup is fully home.
- Sometimes you can use a vise/press to push the clip in place.
- Sometimes I hold the yoke in a vise and use a long punch to drive the two yoke ends apart just a tad more.

[4129R]

Sometimes a needle gets dislodged which means that cup can’t be seated fully so make sure that’s not the case before you put any pressure on the cup.

That has happened to me on several occasions.

[califkid_66]

i didn’t wire brush the grooves im going to try that

[4129R]

You can thin down the circlips slightly with emery paper.

[califkid_66]

i dont have access to my micrometer i used my caliper to measure the clips
and the old one are .0540 the new one are .0564
old one on left

[BDA]

It’s funny that before expanding the picture, they are arranged vertically! 

If you had used your micrometer, would you have gone to hundredth of a thou?! 

Jokes aside, I think it’s time to get out the wet/dry sandpaper and use it on the old ones.

[SilverBeast]

Apologies if you've already tried this, but it's probably worth trying the circlip in the grooves without the joint in the way to make sure they fit the grooves first.

[califkid_66]

i’ve decided to take them all apart and clean the grooves and get new clips and yes i will try putting circlips in the groove before to see if they sit nicely i had the old circlips and they where sitting nicely the new one are causing the problem i did put two old circlips on one of the joints it was ok
so the plans is get new old style or sand down new ones but i’d prefer like the old ones

[califkid_66]

i guess my caliper is not to precise i used a micrometer and the old circlips are .058 the new ones that come with the new u-joint are .060 it’s not much but just enough not to fit im just going to get new circlips
hope this helps save someone from going through this situation
thanks again for your help

[Pfreen]

I assume the thin ones are the ones where you need snap ring pliers for the holes.

Please let us know where you find the new snap rings.