I have a 96 A4 1.9 TDI 110. Went to change the cv joint yesterday as the joint had collapsed and the shaft came out of the cv joint.

Got a new cv joint, took the old one off and went to put the new one on but the problem is that there is a circlip (its like a c shape clip) that im guessing is used to keep the cv joint attached to the shaft, but i cannot see anywhere on the shaft or in the cv joint for this to go. without it the shaft is just goin to keep coming out of the cv joint.

Does any one know where this goes or how it goes on? or even if its possiblr to change the joint, am i going to have to buy a driveshaft?

Any help would be very apreciated.

 

Center the c clip as best as possible , (i use a little grease so it stays in position) then tap on c/v jount making sure the clip compresses inside the joint & locks in place. The clip must be there or the axle will just slide out of the joint.

 

I think the C-Clip you mention is actually a snap ring. There should be a slot in the end of the shaft for the ring to fit into. You will want to have a pair of snap ring pliers for installing it. Slide the joint onto the spline. Open the ring with the pliers, and push the joint past the slot. Then let the ring close.

 

Does the snap ring not need a recess in the splines to sit between the shaft and the joint? And the snapring is to big to sit on the end of the shaft. I thot it sat there and the snaped into the end of the joint where theres a slight recess but it doesnt sit there either! I can get the snap ring over the shaft but it will not squeeze between the shaft and the joint to hold it in place. Im wondering if there was a recess and the shaft ha actually snapped at the recess and thats why i cant see any where for it to go.

 

the retaining clip goes on the shaft, then the cv goes over it.. and you have to pound it on with a rubber mallet or something. make sure to thread the bolt onto the cv joint and hit that so you don't mess it up.

 

So the retaining clip ends up between the splines of the shaft and the joint? Does the clip not just slide down the shaft when you try and pound the joint on?