C-clip on intermediate shaft

[HoosierJeeper]

Putting a new intermediate shaft into my 05 Liberty and it doesn't click into the diff. Is this C clip on the intermediate shaft too sloppy? (front diff intermediate shaft that's between the diff and CV). I haven't tried tapping it in, I didn't know if that was okay to do or not... don't wanna break it off inside the diff.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Shouldn’t break off. Most of the new ones come with one from my experience.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I can get it to "lock" in, but once I put the CV on it, I can just slide it out by hand. I had to use more force to get the old one out! Wondering if the intermediate shaft is bad?

 

[The Critic]

New aftermarket shaft? C-Clip is often incorrect. Swap the C-Clip from old shaft to the new one and retry.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Just laid them side by side (squared them up at the opposite end) and the new one (right) has a slightly different end. the part past the groove is longer and more domed than the old one (left). Could this be why it doesn't want to lock?

 

[AutoMechanic]

Just laid them side by side (squared them up at the opposite end) and the new one (right) has a slightly different end. the part past the groove is longer and more domed than the old one (left). Could this be why it doesn't want to lock?

That very well could be. Is this an OEM or aftermarket?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Aftermarket, Crown brand. Not sure what the old one is. Replaced it like 100k miles ago. Basically 3 brands sell these, Mopar, Omix-Ada and Crown. Always assumed all 3 were the same, but now I'm not sure.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’ve never heard of Crown or Omix-Ada. Stuff like this I’ve kinda learned why it’s important to get OEM.