Replaced the seal between the driver's side axle and transmission. What is the function of the circlip that is attached the transmission side of the axle?

 

Didnn't leave it out did you? It holds the axle in the trans.

 

No, but I noticed that the clip on the new axle wasn't a perfect circle, unlike the old axles' circlip which is a perfect circle. I couldn't get the axles in, unless I replaced the new clipswith the old circlip. Honda cautions about ensuring that it is replaced. The old clip (95 EX, auto, w/120K) didn't look worn at all.