Intermidiate shaft question

I pulled the timing cover off my 71 Commando for a look see inside. As the cover came off the idler gear shaft came with it. I slid it back into place, but the diagram in my Haynes-Great Mystery Novel-manual shows a circlip on the end of it. Can't tell from the picture if this is to retain it in the case or keep it from pushing all the way into the case?? I'm thinking the latter but have not pulled the shaft out to reexamine things yet. :?:

MikeG said:

I'm thinking the latter

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Yes, the drilling for the intermediate shaft is bored through into the crankcase chamber, so the circlip (which locates in a groove at the inner end of the drilling) prevents the shaft from moving too far inwards.