Front Drive Shaft Update

[pmatusov]

Something like the C clip used on early Chevy 10 bolt or early Toyota diffs that held the drive axles and bearings in the housing at the diff would be a solution for the circlip. There is a lot more force put on c clip from an axle then a drive shaft would ever produce.

It is probably the first plausible idea in this thread!
However... The clip used in the current (nearly all) CV joint is installed on the shaft before mating it with the joint, so the 10-bolt-style C-clip cannot be installed the same way. It is not clear if it can be installed even if the CV joint's "backside" is accessible.

All in all, c-clip failures are baffling here. The driveshaft should never experience any significant compressing or extending force. Either the groove is too shallow or the clip was never seated properly.

 

[acky]

surely its a case of boot fails, grease exits the chat, heat and metal on metal fatigue causes the c-clip to depart

 

[globalgregors]

I have just spoken to the supplier of the Eibach (grey standard) springs that I have fitted and they have spoken to Ineos with regard to the lift that these springs create, there would be no warranty issue if the clip or CV fails. These springs are the same size as the originals but the lift comes from there extra strength, less sag. I fitted these for load and towing weight, so far so good.
The supplier stated that the vehicles especially the QM are certain to have GVM upgrades and isn't that what Ineos Grenadier is about.

We have >60,000kms of often hard use on a pre-production set of those springs with no sign of issues. Touch wood.

I’m harbouring a theory that the additional weight of the diesel + roo bar + winch + expedition fit out alleviates the problem by reducing the range of travel in practical terms. Well, to be clear not reducing the range obviously but shifting the static point versus bump/droop min-max. Not an engineer however so one defers to the room on that.

 

[pmatusov]

surely its a case of boot fails, grease exits the chat, heat and metal on metal fatigue causes the c-clip to depart

There's a perfect counter-example to your explanation in this thread.

 

[Dokatd]

Keep in mind there are nearly if not zero diff side clip failures. So far testing shows the CV does not get excessively hot except when the grease leaves the chat. It's the binding of the joint that causes both boot and clip failure.

 

[theox]

We have >60,000kms of often hard use on a pre-production set of those springs with no sign of issues. Touch wood.

I’m harbouring a theory that the additional weight of the diesel + roo bar + winch + expedition fit out alleviates the problem by reducing the range of travel in practical terms. Well, to be clear not reducing the range obviously but shifting the static point versus bump/droop min-max. Not an engineer however so one defers to the room on that.

This is excellent IA sales technique to drive purchases of roo bars and winches. I'm in.

 

[255/85]

I think one possible solution to the problem of the shaft coming out of the CV joint is to replace the C-clip with a bolt like the one I posted earlier.
Why delegate such a risky and hard work to a C-clip?

I said as much a month ago...

2

Post in thread 'Front Drive Shaft Update'

Oct 18, 2025

That exactly what happens if the C-clip fails.

General question: Would a heavier snap ring help avoid complete failure once the boot has torn and the grease is gone? The groove would have to be cut wider. I trust it's not a true C-clip on the original joint. Only a full circle snap ring has any chance of staying in place. The Teraflex unit comes with a snap ring.

What about tapping the end of the shaft for a class 10.9 bolt and a heavy washer plate the same diameter as the snap ring as a secondary safety feature?

• 255/85