Assembly of the prop shaft centering

[afibbe]

Does anybody have a trick to compress the spring enough to install the snap ring?

[Harry]

No experience but based on your photos, it looks tricky.  I’d probably think about a jig that reaches in through the back hole and grabs the spring to pull it into a compressed position just enough to give you the clearance you need to install the snap ring.

[DaveB]

If you have a short section of square rod the same length as the spring diameter, you might be able to compress the parts in a vice like this:

[afibbe]

Thanks. I will see what I have in my collection of spare stuff.

[DaveB]

However you do it I'd advise safety glasses, that spring looks mighty strong.

[afibbe]

I got it done using my bench vise and a washer. The key was a washer that was the same diameter as the spring. I placed the clip over the spring and the washer over the the clip. Holding these in place while I tightened the vise until it stopped. Squeezing the clip and tightening the vice pushed the clip into place.

[DaveB]

nice job!