V1 Drive axle clip

[barichuk]

I could not get the right drive axle to go all the way in so I pulled it, and the small clip has enough slop in it to block it from going in. If I install the axle without the clip it goes in like it should. The clip looks broken to me. Do I need the clip? Do I need to have a new one installed?

 

[Rttoys]

It looks about right to me. Use a bunch of lube and “pop” it in hard.

 

[barichuk]

I have no problem taking it off and on. It seems like it's stretched oversize and it is floppy when installed so that it blocks the splines. When it is not installed the axle goes in all the way.

 

[Ark :D]

I had trouble getting mine to pop in, too. Like Russell said, just lube 'er up and pop 'er in hard. If your rear end is up on jack stands though, I strongly recommend having someone with you to brace the Goblin from the other side so you don't knock your stands over.

 

[barichuk]

Are you 'popping' in the axle or the clip?

 

[ctuinstra]

Yes they block the splines, that it's job. That keeps the axle from coming out on you. Which could be a very bad thing while you are driving.

As the other said, grease it up and slam it in. To NOT try to use a hammer on it. Just one swift hard shove and it should go right in.

 

[Ark :D]

Are you 'popping' in the axle or the clip?

Axle.

 

[Lokian]

I heard to make it easier... make sure the gap in the clip is down when shoving it in. so the top of the clip rests on the axle and the gap is off the axle if that makes sense.

 

[barichuk]

Got it in. Thanks for the advice.

 

[barichuk]

Apparently, I don't have the axles all the way in, and I can't get them to budge. The problem is the engine is cranking but doesn't start (a different thread I am working through). When I cranked the engine I got a huge transmission fluid spill and did not see if it was from the axles or a bad seal. I will be taking the car to a transmission shop since I know less than nothing about automatic transmissions and the donor was in a junkyard for about 10 years and I want the transmission to be right. My Catch 22 is do I need the engine running to get the transmission fixed or do I need to fix the transmission before I start the engine?

 

[ctuinstra]

Did the spill come from the transmission lines that go to the transmission cooler? I'm not sure about the Cobalt automatics, but there should be two lines from the transmission that go to a cooler. By chance is one or both of them open?

You don't want to start the engine and pump the transmission dry.

 

[barichuk]

I have not seen any connections either on the transmission or the radiator, so I am thinking the car does not need them. However if the transmission has those connections I would at least need to put a loop there. Where on the transmission would they be?

 

[ctuinstra]

This is where the lines would go on the transmission.

 

[barichuk]

Found them, and that is the area of the leak. I would guess there is no problem with installing a loop there, since no provision was made by DFG and since the car is so light. Thanks.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Did you keep the lines from the donor? The mating lines have a dedicated fitting/clamp that connects to the transmission - unless you are good at fabricating something up? You may need to go to the local boneyard to find one of these.

 

[barichuk]

Fabricate? Who, me? lol I have a good yard to check out and I will also check my parts store. They have been a great source of parts and advice.

 

[k.rollin]

Found them, and that is the area of the leak. I would guess there is no problem with installing a loop there, since no provision was made by DFG and since the car is so light. Thanks.

Those lines get looped; it was covered in either the assembly instructions thread here or in the older build guide videos. Alternatively, you can run them through an aftermarket cooler depending on your vehicle use case.

Build Guide Part 21 - First Start

Build Guide Part 21 - First Start In Part 21 we start the engine for the first time.

dfkitcar.com

 

[Ross]

Apparently, I don't have the axles all the way in, and I can't get them to budge...

This problem gave me the incentive to edit and add the conclusion to my stuck axle issue.
Not sure if this is the same as your axle, but hopefully it helps.

 

[Lonny]

That is from someone spinning one tire for a long time. Doing a burn out with only one tire spinning causes the spider gears to over spin.

Normally the axle only turns enough in relation to the ring gear carrier to allow the tires to go through a turn without scrubbing.

When doing a one wheel peel out, one axle is stationary and the other axle is turning twice the rpm of the ring gear carrier.

It is not made to do this for extended periods of time.

 

[ctuinstra]

This problem gave me the incentive to edit and add the conclusion to my stuck axle issue.
Not sure if this is the same as your axle, but hopefully it helps.

Interesting. I wonder if the mid shaft could be turned and true the surface up again.