Corrct, there is no way to prevent it. But I have never seen one fail where the vehicle still wasn't drivable and I work in a Dodge dealership. Most times the people find out it broke when they remove the diff cover to change the fluid and find pieces inside, usually by then the clip has already cut into the diff housing and bearing cap. I've seen diffs with the bearing cap cut almost down to the bolt hole and the truck still was being driven on the road. If you're that worried about it then I'd just put new clips in after you buy it for that extra piece of mind. The clips are cheap, under 20.00 I think, or install new clutches and clips. The later anti-spins, which is what the '03 has, were better then the earlier ones. IMO