CV Axle Replacement

Just replaced my driver side cv axle due to the boot ripping and shooting grease everywhere (Darn!) I bought an axle from Rockauto and upon it arriving I noticed that it was dented badly, so pissed off I went and picked a new one up from Napa Auto. It installed fine and everything looks okay besides one small detail. The axle came with the 1/4 inch spacer ring that I had never seen before, so i excluded it from installation. The axle doesn't seem to seal properly on the differential though compared to the passenger side which I replaced last year. Nothing is leaking but I think I've convinced myself that it should sit more flush.

In the two pictures below, one is how the axle looks after driving for a few miles, and the other is when I get underneath and finesse the axle a bit more into the differential. Is it typical for cv axles to have a few millimeters of play in and out of the differential? Again, no leaks so far.

Anyone else had a similar issue or have any insight on this? Really I just want some clarification so I can quit worrying about this stupid thing lol. Thanks in advance!

 

Looks fine to me. That ring looks like a washer for the hub nut.

 

Thanks man, when I put that washer on with the hub nut i couldn't tighten the nut down far enough to get the cotter pin in so i opted to leave the washer out. Thoughts?

 

Not a real issue. IIRC the bolt is round and flat on the mating surface? Perhaps some models used a regular bolt and needed the washer while others didn't. Did you torque to spec? My only other thought would be the nut seats the hub seal enough to clear the washer. Haven't played with cv's in a bit but I think that nut is like 160 lb*ft?

 

Yeah I torqued to spec, I think you may be right with the washer not needing to be used because the bolt mated flushly up against mating surface. I was just concerned because its never a good feeling not using all the components that came with the part lol

 

nope youre all good bud as long its not leaking ive done the cv change like 4 times now always had a gap that little washer seems something another model uses.