Driver CV Shaft won't go back in, coil fell out trans??
 

Ok so my boots broke on the driver side shaft. I pulled the axle and decided to replace the boots instead of the half shaft. It wouldn't go back in. It grabs just enough of the teeth so that it moves the bearing in the transmission but will not go in any further. Tried hammering, tried pulling the passenger side shaft out, tried putting it in without the snap ring. No go. So I figure I must've messed up the splines on the shaft (though they visibly look fine) and bought a new half shaft. Same story, just barely grabs the teeth on the bearing. After all this all of a sudden a coiled ring (think hairband) the size of a normal rubber band maybe 2-2 1/2" diameter falls out of the transmission.

Can anyone give me some insight as to what that hairband thing is? I'm assuming at this point it has something to do with why the shaft won't go back in. I changed out this very shaft maybe 7 years ago no problem so this is very friustrating :( :confused:

That spring was part of your output seal. The axle wouldnt go in because you were catching on the3 seal and ruined it.

http://i0.wp.com/www.rockcrawler.com...-Axle-Seal.jpg

well that would be fantastic news... is it safe to remove the seal and test-fit the shaft to make sure it goes in? Or do I risk ruining the diff bearing?

Your fine for test fitting, but you need a new seal before driving, or you will lose gear oil/ATF and contaminate the trans. make sure to remove all the seal material that may have been pushed into the trans.

You can remove the seal and try putting the shaft in. The purpose of the seal is to keep the transmission oil from leaking out, so test fitting without the seal is not going to damage anything.

Use some axle grease to center the clip while installing the axle. Use Vaseline if its an automatic.

yeah ok. That makes sense.

Thanks for the tips all! I didn't realize the oil seal had a hard backing. I must have nicked it on the way out. Once I pulled the seal out the shaft went right in.

Hope it is just the seal. When I changed my shaft, the shaft went in but would not stay in. Tried to replace the seal only, but gear oil continued to leak out. So when I replaced the clutch, I had the shop replace where the shaft snaps into the manual transmission. (Basically had parts of the tranny rebuilt) Good luck.