Replace CV Axle Locking Clips or Keep Original?

Before I put my axle back in is it important to replace this locking clip or can I keep the original one intact? I believe the replacement that has less of a full C (bent tips) to it is the one that I'd be using, but not sure if it's important or not. The play is a little loose (definitely not like the ball joint C Clip) - But I think it's supposed to be like that..

 

If your original c clip is still in good shape, there’s not need to replace. I’ve rebuilt several axles this way and only replaced the c clip less than half the time.

 

How do you determine what shape it's in? Can you tell simply but how far it sticks out like in pic #2? There's not gashes or anything along it.

 

Reuse the originals. I can't tell you how many times we had such a bitch of a time trying to pull out CV's because the clips were aftermarket and refused to budge out of there.

 

Sometimes they get chewed up when you pull the axle. The mating grooves in the diff can gouge the clip. If there aren’t any gouges, just reuse the clip that’s on there.

 

If it's in the axle reboot kit I always replace it.
Insert the axle with the clip in this orientation, it makes life easier.

 

I agree.
Toyota uses a “wider” gap in the clip than other manufacturers.
Mine looked about yours OP. I reused mine.

I use the “shove it” method.
Get the axle started into the differential. Push it in as far as you can, then pull it out some and “shove it” in. This allows the momentum of the axle to help compress and seat the clip. When it goes in, you’ll know. You’ll almost feel it. Of course, you should pull back out on the axle just to “be sure”.

 

I usually just use the same spindle and hub assembly to push in the axle once it's in and ready for the shove it needs to go in all the way. I've been using this method for years with great success.

 

Reuse the factory clip, it’ll be easier to get the axle back out the next time you have to remove it.

As others said, the aftermarket ones can be funky sometimes.

 

That works too.
I don’t do this stuff enough.
If I have the cv out, I usually have the whole axle out.
90% of my CV axle experience is with FWD cars.

With truck, it’s either wheel bearings, or I am pulling a differential.
The only reason I had my cv out was to do the bushing. If I’m lucky, I’ll never have to have it out again.
But the boots don’t last forever. I’m still on the original OEM CV .