BX-24 rear axle bearing retaining clip curse!

[ayelvington]

After 1100 hours on my BX I started to get a squeak in one of the rear axle bearings.

I didn't think much of this since I was going to change the UDT anyway, so it seemed like a good time to change the axle bearings.

The note in the service manual to "prepare a special clip pillar [sic]" should have made me nervous.

The oil seal came off easily, the UDT drained quickly, and there it was, the internal bearing retaining clip.

Apparently Kubota felt it was necessary to BURY the clip so far back that you have to make a special long-reach right-angle clip tool to get it out of there.

I have tried tool after tool with no success. The clip is strong and slips just a moment too soon.

So, I ask all of you, if you've had success getting this clip out, where did you get the tool?

Right now Rex-the-BX is stranded in the barn with no UDT in his tranny.

HELP??

Al

 

[Code54]

Can you snap a photo if you have a minute ? May help with ideas?

 

[ayelvington]

Can you snap a photo if you have a minute ? May help with ideas?

I can barely see the clip with my eyes, so no chance of getting a photo. I'll bring the manual in from the barn and scan the page that I'm working from.

I used to write manuals for a living, and the content and editing of Kubota manuals is almost third-world.

 

[ayelvington]

Here's all the help you'll get from the manual.

 

[Code54]

A while back I bought a pair of cheap snap ring pliers from Harbor freight - they had replaceable tips and one of the sets were curved and another was longer and straight. Snap Ring Pliers with Interchangeable Heads
They are basically low quality but they have worked a few times for me (think I broke one tip so far) but for 4 bucks I would by another.

 

[HEC]

I bought a set of cheap ones too at sears many years ago and they had replaceable tips also . They have worked for me a few times .

 

[ayelvington]

The clips are out! I used a new heavy-duty set of ring pliers to lift the clip from the groove while a friend slipped a screwdriver under the ring. Then I used a punch tool through one of the clip "eyes" to lift and it while we slid around it to get it out. The back side clips (external) are a piece of cake since you have the axle out to work on them.

I'll press the bearing off tomorrow, reseat the new ones, and maybe even get the axles back on before my buddy comes by after dinner.

I guess the bottom line is that you need the following:

Good neighbor
Small screwdriver
Small punch to fit eye of clip ring
STRONG clip tool

Patience....