So I'v been working on a family members bronco and his driver side rear wheel seal is leaking. I ordered a new repair bearing from Timken and went to looking in the Factory Service manual and it shows the axles on the 8.8 rear end to use c clip retainers to hold the axles in place. But when I opened the diff cover I saw this:
http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj322/car_guru_21/P1010010.jpg
http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj322/car_guru_21/P1010013.jpg
http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj322/car_guru_21/P1010012.jpg
http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj322/car_guru_21/P1010011.jpg
So can anyone tell me what this spring is between the spider gears, and what its for? There are no retaining clips that I can see, and it looks as if the spring may be used to retain the axles but how can I get it out without completely tearing apart the diff?

Sorry bout linking the pics but couldn't get em to show up in the post.

 

Your pictures are not working but my guess is they are the springs for the limited slip. You need to take the pin that runs through the side gears out and then the axles will push in. Then you can get the clips off that hold the axles in. You do not need to remove the springs to remove the axles.

 

Pictures worked only typed in manually. Looks like one spring, probably holds the clips in place. Center pin out if possible and may need some tension off the spring to pop the clips easy?

 

May want to mark gears as per side of the center pin and pin facingto ensure no unusual wear per side upon re-assembly. (If pictures don't work - just type the link in plain letters -it's faster to right click,copy and paste than for me to type the whole line.)