Is there a specific tool for removing a big E clip? I had to remove a pair of 1 inch ones today. They were holding the tires on a garden trailer. The axle is a one inch OD bar with a groove in each end for the E clips. It took two pair of pliers and few bad words to get them off. Still got a gouged finger for my trouble. I have seen tools for taking of small ones but not one this large.
Proper Tool for E Clips?
- Thread starter Mudbone
- Start date
rkevins
Well-known member
Plyers,screwdriver, and sometimes band-aids
And safety glasses...
bdkruger1
Banned
I just use my bare hands.
Professur
Well-known member
I just bought this at Princess auto, but I can't find it on their site. It's a pair of spreader pliers like for circlips ... but instead of pins on the end, it's a flat, paddle shape. I'd been looking everywhere for them without luck, until I found them there (long after I no longer needed them)
arizonajack
Active member
Try using snap ring pliers. If you can get the tips inside the clip they ought to work.
Otherwise, maybe those pickers that Harbor Freight sells.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=pick
Or, if you want to get fancy, there's this:
http://www.tool-sale.com/eclip-remover-installer-p-2956.html
Otherwise, maybe those pickers that Harbor Freight sells.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=pick
Or, if you want to get fancy, there's this:
http://www.tool-sale.com/eclip-remover-installer-p-2956.html
HF link isn't working for me.
And I am not trying to start a fight here but:
From the tool sale site:
5 PC E-Clip Tool Remover/ Installer Set Model #01970A at Tool-Sale.com. This 5 PC E-Clip Tool Remover/ Installer Set is currently In-Stock and available for immediate shipping.
One Blade w/ 4 Blades: 1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 3/8"
Safely Remove & Install E-Clips without Damage
One End Removes and the Other End Installs
The ones I am working with are 1 inch.
carhunter
Well-known member
There is a special tool made for E-clips but I can't think of the name...Dad has several different sizes that were 'retired' from his old factory 
Here's an image of a modern version. OTC makes a cheaper set for like $12 bucks. Just google 'e-clip tool' and you'll get a bunch of images.
I always end up using a screwdriver too
Here's an image of a modern version. OTC makes a cheaper set for like $12 bucks. Just google 'e-clip tool' and you'll get a bunch of images.
I always end up using a screwdriver too
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
A screwdriver and my fingers to keep the clip from launching into outer space. Big clips are easy. It is those little buggers that are tough to remove.
That's an interesting tool Carhunter, but it's max size is 5mm
I think part of the problem is that this clip is backed by a big washer. I tried to use a screwdriver in one of the visible slot formed by the E. It barely gets a grip because the washer stops the blade from going deep into the slot. If you twist the screwdriver it just cams out. Pulling on it just caused it to spin because the blade isnt centered. I tried two screwdrivers, one in eache slot and got a busted knuckle for my efforts. I finally got it by using two pliers with narrow tips that would fit the slots.
I finally found THIS. I wonder if it works.
I think part of the problem is that this clip is backed by a big washer. I tried to use a screwdriver in one of the visible slot formed by the E. It barely gets a grip because the washer stops the blade from going deep into the slot. If you twist the screwdriver it just cams out. Pulling on it just caused it to spin because the blade isnt centered. I tried two screwdrivers, one in eache slot and got a busted knuckle for my efforts. I finally got it by using two pliers with narrow tips that would fit the slots.
I finally found THIS. I wonder if it works.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
A good sharp screwdriver is required to get a good grip. The rounded edges of a worn screwdriver will cam out.
That tool is essentially just a sharp edged screwdriver.
Duck tape Bill
Well-known member
I used to be in the pool industry, and lots of older pool filters that we worked on had E-clips in them, anywhere from .5"- 1" wide. They were SS, but still got pretty rusted up and hard to get off when we would do service on the filters, so we made a couple tools to get them off. We just took some cheep open end wrenches that fit each size clip and ground them down nice and pointy (not sharp like a blade, but about as sharp as a screw driver). We also had a couple pairs of old needle nose pliers that we had ground the points down that worked pretty good. If you grind the point of the pliers in a slightly inverted V then they catch the corners of the clips better.
...Edit:
I guess I should clarify that we didn't stick these tools into the slots in the clip, but rather used them to push on the open end of the clip... sometimes using a screwdriver in the slots to help.
...Edit:
I guess I should clarify that we didn't stick these tools into the slots in the clip, but rather used them to push on the open end of the clip... sometimes using a screwdriver in the slots to help.
Last edited:
The special tools are made to fit the shaft and push the ring off.
If you have the room an open end wrench will work.
The screw driver trick will sometimes work.
The thing to remember is they are springs.
Keep some rags draped around the area to catch them when the fly.
If you have the room an open end wrench will work.
The screw driver trick will sometimes work.
The thing to remember is they are springs.
Keep some rags draped around the area to catch them when the fly.
bobemmerich
Well-known member
Without reading the whole post, I've had success with just carefully prying it out with a screwdriver
crewchief888
Well-known member
i used to work with a guy that called them "jesus clips"
i'd hear that fimiliar "ting" of the clip flying off.....
shortly followed by "jesus ch*st"
of course the clip always ended up in the bottom of the trans case....
Falcon67
Well-known member
X2 - always called those a "Jesus clip". I just stick an appropriate screwdriver in one of the slots and twist. They pop right off.
jwh
Well-known member
Used to see alot of them working on mechanical office equipment in the '70s and '80s. Went to a class (I think it was for some plain paper copier) and the instructors called them "Buddah Clips". Seems they got in trouble using the description in the previous 2 posts, hence the term Buddah Clip.
Carguy99
Well-known member
X3 jesus clips
Just a tip just as you start to pop it off hold a rag over it. that should stop it from fling across the shop never to be seen again.
Just a tip just as you start to pop it off hold a rag over it. that should stop it from fling across the shop never to be seen again.
koditten
Well-known member
X4 on Jusus clips.
Only difference was in reference to when the finaly let go. As in "Oh Jusus, did you see where that went!"
Only difference was in reference to when the finaly let go. As in "Oh Jusus, did you see where that went!"
Steevo
Well-known member
Actually that tool:
http://www.tecratools.com/product950.html
is also a holder to keep the clip from flying when installing/removing them.
I have one, and it works well, but only if you have adequate clearance for the length of the tool.
Improvise, adapt and overcome. . . . I use a screwdriver.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Thanks for the clarification, that is a little more useful than a sharp screwdriver but I would never have it or find it when it was needed. I would only find it after Jesus visited.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i started slipping a piece of thin wire (the type they use for parts tags) through the closed end of the clip, and twisting it.
that way if it did go flying off, or i dropped it putting it back on, i had something to hold onto...
that way if it did go flying off, or i dropped it putting it back on, i had something to hold onto...
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I deal with smaller ones when I take apart locks to rekey them. The two cutouts on this key gauge are what I normally use when removing the clips.
It is often much more difficult to get the clip BACK on the lock. I have a small vise on my bench for the purpose of driving the clips home.
Otherwise, it's a small screwdriver and lots of swearing.
It is often much more difficult to get the clip BACK on the lock. I have a small vise on my bench for the purpose of driving the clips home.
Otherwise, it's a small screwdriver and lots of swearing.
AeroNautiCal
Well-known member
We always called circlips and e-clips, 'ping - fu*k it's', because they go ping, and you say "fu*k it!"
Professur
Well-known member
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8243495/Individual/Lock-Ring-Plier
Found it (finally). These are miraculous when it comes to external clips.
Found it (finally). These are miraculous when it comes to external clips.
Mike Behrens
Member
Once I had to get an e-clip onto the end of a shaft that was down inside of a narrow tube. I tried everything that I had, but I couldn't hold onto the clip and get enough force to snap it back on. I dropped and lost my first two clips down the tube trying get them on. With only one clip left, some dude, who just happened to be at my wife's garage sale walked over to me and said, "Just magnetize a screwdriver and it'll just balance on the end and let you press it right on." Then he walked away.
I coiled some wire around my screwdriver shaft, briefly touched the wire ends to a battery, and sure enough, the magnetism caused my e-clip to balance firmly on the end of the blade and that let my just press it down onto the shaft with my first try.
It really bothered my that I couldn't tell the guy thank you, or that it actually worked. Well, by the way he was so nonchalant and confident as he walked away, I bet he knew it would work.
Anyway, I thought I would pass along the tip in the spirit to that garage sale dude.
-Mike-
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I coiled some wire around my screwdriver shaft, briefly touched the wire ends to a battery, and sure enough, the magnetism caused my e-clip to balance firmly on the end of the blade and that let my just press it down onto the shaft with my first try.
It really bothered my that I couldn't tell the guy thank you, or that it actually worked. Well, by the way he was so nonchalant and confident as he walked away, I bet he knew it would work.
Anyway, I thought I would pass along the tip in the spirit to that garage sale dude.
-Mike-
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
four.cycle
Well-known member
Falcon said:
After hundreds of your retail customers walk up to the counter and ask "Where are your Jesus clips?" over the course of a decade or so, you come to realize that the proper and accepted nomenclature for the item is indeed "Jesus clip", regardless of what some manufacturer of automotive hardware chooses to call them in a catalog or print on a box.
They were, are, and always will be "Jesus clips", for reasons mentioned above.
A large assortment of screwdrivers and various types of pliers will generally serve adequately to remove them. Almost all front-wheel drive self-propelled walk-behind lawnmowers use the damn things to attach the pinion gears on the front drive axle.
the gypsy
Well-known member
I beg to differ. Seeing that many products that use these e clips are made in China mostly and some equipment are made in Japan, I think Jesus does not exist in their vocabulary. For this reason I believe Buddha Clips is much more appropriate. LOL
jeff lary
Well-known member
Turn down the radio and listen for the " SPROING" ...cause that will happen. I use a small screwdriver and my finger backing up the "E" clip.
If you have a 1 inch shaft I would use a 1 1/8 open end wrench slipped over the shaft with the ends of wrench opening engaging the ends of the clip.
(Smaller shafts use a smaller wrench.)
A wack with a hammer will slide it off.
Draping a shop rag aver everything will catch the clip if it wants to fly.
(Smaller shafts use a smaller wrench.)
A wack with a hammer will slide it off.
Draping a shop rag aver everything will catch the clip if it wants to fly.