Pass Side Axle Snap Ring Question

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PriuSocal, Jun 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM.

  1. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

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    So I recently got my passenger side axle rebuilt by a local shop and when picking it up, they said it did not have the snap ring axles have at the end of the spline where it connects to the transmission. They installed one that appears to fit loosely and when trying to install it, the axle will NOT go into the transmission fully. It tends to get caught on the snap ring and unable to insert it all the way in. I tried to lightly tap it with a hammer and nothing.

    I called them and they said that they use universal snap rings and that they installed the one sized to that specific axle. I tried everything, removing it and clamping it to close the gap more and even called the dealer to buy a new one BUT they advised this part has been discontinued although it is used on Toyotas from 1981 to 2024. I was able to find one for $2.10 at Bell Toyota in Phoenix, AZ but they are not willing to ship it to me,

    I went to various autoparts and they do NOT carry those rings. They showed me another axle from their stock and that ring is even looser fitting than mine so I am wondering whats going on.

    Below is the Toyota parts diagram and the red arrow is pointing at the snap ring in question. The snap ring part # is 43425-02050.

    Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.


    Screenshot 2025-06-24 at 7.32.37 PM.png



    Screenshot 2025-06-24 at 7.47.19 PM.png
     

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    #1 PriuSocal, Jun 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
  2. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    What year Prius are you working on. I believe that you own Gen 2 and Gen 3 cars. You have created this thread in the Gen 4 forum.
     
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  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I would simply replace that entire axle with a lifetime warrantied one from your local parts store and be done with it. You don't want to chance that replacement ring breaking and getting ground up in your tranny. That can cause other issues.

    That's just me........ Good Luck.
     
  4. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

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    Yeah, not sure why it was posted on gen 4 forum. Not sure how to fix this or should I repost it in the Gen 2 forum again @ChapmanF
     
  5. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

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    Not feasible when you're on a budget. I did some more research and found this video

    I am going to try that with a new snap ring from parts store I ordered and see how that works out.
     
  6. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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  7. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Do not create a new thread. I will ask a moderator to move this thread to the Gen 2 forum.
     
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  8. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Member

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    Solved either way, Turned out to be the spline on the shaft that was going into the transmission had damage to one of the lines or whatever you call it, so it would not allow 2 of the splines to go in smooth and was hitting there. I ended up replacing the head with the one of my old axle and installed the same snap ring and all is good now.
     
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