pic: 2016 Offseason Drive Gearbox

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

I think I see a snap ring right in the middle of your output shaft. This snap ring will be close to, if not entirely, impossible to install.

Other options:

E-Clip - Ok in this application, but not recommended. I don't like transferring torque through any sort of groove, especially the deep grove required for this application

Shaft Collar - Not the best, but could work in this spot

Change up your shaft retention locations. Review other team's CAD's to see their arrangement of shaft retention on a typical output shaft.

Please post results.

-Mike

I didn't even notice this when I first commented. This is a huge problem because a snap ring groove between loads (between gears and direct drive wheel) is a stress riser. With some bad luck you could fail your shaft here.

If you are looking to prevent the shaft from sliding out in that direction, you can turn the far end of the shaft to 1/2" round (or 3/8" round) and use a 1/2" round (or 3/8" round) bearing on the inner plate. That, combined with a snap ring groove on the outside of the inner plate, will fully retain your output shaft.