I replaced the half shaft on my daughters 2002 s40, but now can't get the shaft to stay in the transmission, it drives great for a few days and then the shaft slides out of the bearing and transmission. Any suggestions

 

Is the circlip on the axle?

 

Unless I am really crazy there isn't one on the half shaft at least not the one I got and no place for it to go. I could only hope it could be that simple, if there is supposed to be please say so, but according to everything I can bring up there isn't one. Thanks

 

I don't think I've ever seen one without a circlip

 

I don't recall a circlip when I did mine, just that certain point where you need to push it in far enough on reassembly.

 

I was assuming it was the left axle since the right axle is held in with a bracket. If that's what you meant by sliding out of the bearing, you need a new axle. It shouldn't come out of the support bearing. Did you go with one of those cheap axles?

 

Hah, funny that this came up today. I just did my rhs axle at lunch. I can confirm that there is no clip of any kind just the bearing retainer assy that fastens with two bolts. I simply pushed mine in until the bearing was lined up with the centre of the bearing fitting and tightened it up.

 

Right. There isn't one on the passenger side. I mistakenly assumed it was the left side.

 

Did you take the bearing bracket from the old axle and transfer it to the new one? In the pic you posted the bracket is still attached to the old axle. The bracket has a ridge on both inside edges: once you tighten it back up there is no way that bearing is going anywhere. It will also prevent the half shaft from moving as well.

 

I'll see if I have a left side pic, I did both. And yes I whacked the old bracket off and put it on the new one. (I have no idea which side OP was talking about, I assumed left also tbh)

edit couldn't find a left side pic.

 

I'm having a lot of trouble understanding how it is even possible that the axle would "slide out of the bearing and trany." Is the bearing the same diameter as the old one? If not I could see that being a problem. However if the bearing is being held firm then there's no way that thing should come out! Have you put in the bearing clasp upside down, maybe? There was some writing on mine and I remembered that the writing (I think it said "500... something") needed to face downwards. I'm not certain that the clasp is symmetrical but it might be...


As an aside, I hope you are not wearing those nice new clean shoes for doing car work...

 

Ya I don't know how it would be slipping out either, wouldn't that big 36mm on the end keep it on? assuming it was in all the way?

Also, assuming you're talking about my shoes, they're slip ons, and I've had them since 1999, they do what they want

 

Well the shoes are wearing well with age...just like the Volvo, right?