halfshaft snap rings

in the manual it says to replace these every time the halfshafts are removed
from the vehicle. How important is this step? I went to ever auto parts
store around and no one had them? they dont look that damaged. What am i
looking at if i decide to put them back on (after a clutch job) without
replacing the snap rings

 

===============

They are totally important. New ones are thicker (because they haven't
been worn thin), the springiness is stronger, because they haven't been
heated / cooled about 500,000 times, and they help you sleep better. . .
.. . You'll sleep better because you don't have to envision your drive
shaft popping out of your transfer case while climbing a hill, passing a
long semi-trailer unit with your wife and kids in the car. . . . Did i
forget to mention the on-coming traffic?

Best to play is safe and replace them. I suggest Honda will have
them, even if you have to pay double what they sell for at the
'half-shaft reconditioning' places.

'Curly'

 

They are only replaced if they are broken or lost. I'd be surprised
if even the dealer carries them. Most axle remanufacturers reuse the
old ones.

--
R. Scott McKernon
Store Manager
Olympic Auto Parts
9136 Gaither Rd
Gaithersburg, MD 20874
1-800-472-9360

www.olyparts.com

 

New ones came with the CV boot kit I got with my 87 prelude.

I don't think the shafts are goin anywhere, unless the
balljoint pops while you are passing a semi going uphill
into oncoming traffic....

t

 

Usually the boot kits come with the snap rings that hold the joint to the
shaft too... Those break a lot more often than the rings that go into the
transmission. I only replace the rings if they break.

 

excellent, I was suprised how hard these are to find. Even a call to the
dealer yeilded no results
they said to check napa, cause thats where they get em. And napa told us
they didnt have em. At that point i was sick of looking and i made the
movement towards not replacing the rings and just sticking them back in the
tranny.