Snap ring question

[racerboy]

I am disassembling the top of the steering column in my 1970 GTO And there is a ‘snap ring’ that holds a locking plate in place. I was able to remove it and replace it using a couple of picks, screwdrivers and a small hammer. It clearly is meant to be removed/replaced with snap ring pliers, or some kind of tool. I looked at the recommendations from others in this forum about quality snap ring pliers, but all of them seem to illustrate using them on the snap rings that have the little holes in them. The snap ring in this steering column has no holes. It just has a small gap between the two ends. See photos of it below both on the column and a new one in a package just to give a size reference.

Is this called something other than a snap ring

What snap ring pliers would work on this? My cheap HF and Craftsman ones are not narrow enough to insert in the small gap.

I can’t replace this with the snap ring type that has the holes because the tangs interfere with the locking plate.

Thanks
Frank


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[Tempus_Fugit]

I worked at dealers back on the day. I have done a ton of these. I have always used a slightly curved pick and a small flat blade screwdriver at the same time to work them off. Once you have done a few, it goes pretty quick. To reinstall, just push it back down in the groove.

I don't know of a snap ring pliers for this application.

 

[Shadowdog500]

The proper tool for that type of ring is a lock ring plier.

Get a lisle 44900. Lisle 44900 Lock Ring Plier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009OR974/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Start at 21:20 in my cv joint video to see how they work.

Here is another video just on lock ring pliers.

 

[joe_padavano]

I've done dozens of these. Putting it back on is easy. Just use a couple of small screwdrivers to walk it down the shaft. Once in the groove, the lock plate has a recess that captures the ring and prevents it from coming out. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.