CV Axle Help

Hey All,

I am in the middle of replacing the CV axles on my 2001 tacoma. The driver's side is done. Took a while, but that side appears to be good to go. I then popped out the CV axle on the passenger side and prepared to install the replacement just like the first one. However, it looks like interior of the differential is different then on the driver's side. It looks like there is a splined interior piece missing, and without it there is no groove for the C-clip to pop into. In fact I broke the C-clip trying to pop the axle in.

No additional pieces came out when the original axle was removed, other then the axle and dust cap. Any ideas?

The smooth, shiny part of the diffential in the picture just before the splines had a rotating, splined piece on the driver's side. ??????

Thanks!

 

How long are the splines on the cv, how long are the splines in the diff? Find a copy of the FSM if you can. Might clear some things up. I'd expect that's just a bearing.

 

can you post pics of the axles- new and old? that would help to see what u mean.

 

Well, it looks like I got it figured out! The axle on the passenger side went in just fine with a new c-clip and everything appears to be working. Interesting that the differential bits are not identical on both sides, but from what I have been learning, that is as designed. Thanks for all of the responses!

Now I just have to see how long these Autozone cv axles last. They were only $60 with no core charge. Not too bad.