Snap Rings - Am I the only one that Hates them?

[Farmall450]

Ok, I can manage on 1/4 or 3/8 ratchets...but those big sob's, on 1/2 ratchets, why, when I finally get them out, on my second or third attempt, they go flying through the garage, into some dark corner. Is this just me?

 

[Gary S]

I don't have a problem with them. I never take them out. My 45 year old ratchets have never been apart, and they still work perfectly that way.

 

[thesilverone]

if you think snap rings on 1/2 ratchets are big...then you need to get out more

 

[Farmall450]

I don't have a problem with them. I never take them out. My 45 year old ratchets have never been apart, and they still work perfectly that way.

I tend to buy/have to rebuild used ones

if you think snap rings on 1/2 ratchets are big...then you need to get out more

Nah, I've seen more than I need to.

 

[adam728]

Snap ring pliers?

As said, the ones on ratches are super easy. Big ones, or ones recessed way down in a cavity are much more fun.

Sent via morse code

 

[Farmall450]

Snap ring pliers?

As said, the ones on ratches are super easy. Big ones, or ones recessed way down in a cavity are much more fun.

Sent via morse code

I have these.

 

[mech-tech]

It's when trying to remove large snap rings on heavy equipment that the worry begins. Them things HURT!!!!!!!!!!

The trick is to put your hand over the small snap rings so they don't go flying. The big ones I mess with, ya just duck real fast and try to hear where it went.

 

[Farmall450]

It's when trying to remove large snap rings on heavy equipment that the worry begins. Them things HURT!!!!!!!!!!

The trick is to put your hand over the small snap rings so they don't go flying. The big ones I mess with, ya just duck real fast and try to hear where it went.

That would probably help me w/ loosing them in the darkest possible corner....

 

[Nocturnal-G]

You should try the Knipex snap ring pliers.

I picked up a pair a week ago and took apart ratchets with no issues.

 

[Erampu]

To prevent them from flying into a dark corner, either put the wrench into a large see-through plastic bag and work on it with your hands inside the bag, or light all the corners.

 

[Farmall450]

You should try the Knipex snap ring pliers.

I picked up a pair a week ago and took apart ratchets with no issues.

I always used the angled "beaks",but it seems no matter what the brand they can only go in a tad as the ring is flush to it's backing

To prevent them from flying into a dark corner, either put the wrench into a large see-through plastic bag and work on it with your hands inside the bag, or light all the corners.

True, true. Maybe if I don't just f it up every time...

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I always used the angled "beaks",but it seems no matter what the brand they can only go in a tad as the ring is flush to it's backing

Knipex offers different tip lengths. I'm not sure if other brands are like that...

 

[Farmall450]

Knipex offers different tip lengths. I'm not sure if other brands are like that...

Yeah, but when it's flush to a ratchet, etc there is no way to seat it deeper.

 

[mech-tech]

The method I use on rachets is to begin removing the snap ring with the snap ring pliers, then put a small pocket screwdriver behind the snap ring and pop it out. It also keeps the snap ring from flying away.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have these.

I have had terrible luck with that style.
The changeable-tips style many makers sell are better than those.

In your case, a dedicated 0-degree pair with tips that fit the smaller rings you deal with might be best; they'll work in larger rings too. And never go out of style or function.

 

[Farmall450]

I have had terrible luck with that style.
The changeable-tips style many makers sell are better than those.

In your case, a dedicated 0-degree pair with tips that fit the smaller rings you deal with might be best; they'll work in larger rings too. And never go out of style or function.

ie a Channellocks pair?

 

[Farmall450]

The method I use on rachets is to begin removing the snap ring with the snap ring pliers, then put a small pocket screwdriver behind the snap ring and pop it out. It also keeps the snap ring from flying away.

I was thinking of trying out something like that.

 

[jrsulo]

Ive launched many a snap ring !!!!!!

 

[Farmall450]

Ive launched many a snap ring !!!!!!

Good, I'm not alone!

 

[jeffmoss26]

I keep a pair of Craftsman snap ring pliers (similar to those Williams) with my lock rekeying tools. Some of the Corbin knob cylinders used snap rings, but pretty much everything is an E clip...which is its own annoyance!

 

[ChevyEFI]

ie a Channellocks pair?

They're available in a lot of different brands. The tips are readily available at sears.

 

[OccupantRJ]

We have a 6 inch snap ring in a device at work that takes two of us experienced people to remove and install. We bought very large snap ring pliers for it, but it will still hurt you if you are not careful. One person has to operate the pliers, and the other has to get the ring pried out of it's internal recessed groove. Getting it back in is just as bad.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I usually don't demonstrate tools... but here is the Knipex precision snap ring pliers in action, hassle free removal and insertion.

Positioning the pliers inside the bore holes:

Snap ring removed:

Snap ring being inserted back in:

 

[Aqua-Andy]

If you don't like the snap rings on the 1/2" ratchets you should try the snap rings GM uses in there transmissions and t-cases. These snap rigs are much larger and have no holes in them for the pliers to fit into, I have seen a snap ring go through a plate glass window one time.

 

[zkling]

Snap rings really don't bother me, just need a decent pair of snap ring pliers. What really irritate me at times is internal spiral rings. I've been working on a gear case this past week that had a few.

 

[3xpendable]

I never new they were called snap rings until I became a tech in my mid 20s. My dad always called them Jesus clips when we would work on things. I asked him one time why do they call them Jesus clips he said " because when the damn thing comes popping out you say Jesus where did it go!" We laughed and it popped out and he said " see I told you now go find it" lmao good times. People still look at me funny when I call them that

The tongue jacks at work have a pretty good size one on them that makes me nervous taking off with my **** snap ring pliers. I need new ones....I'm going to the classified section.

 

[WILD-BILL]

If you think those are bad you sould try the Spirolox that are used to retian the wrist pin in a piston.

Or for that matter, that pistons in my daughters Jr dragsters are retained to the pins using a snap ring just under 1/2" in diamter and recessed in the piston about a 1/2"

Or if you want to make things worse, THey make Spirolox for those same Jr pistons wrist pins

 

[mech-tech]

My favorite is heavy duty snap rings inside a hydraulic cylinder that are rusted and break when you try removing them...

I felt compelled to go to confession for the words I used that day

 

[fxgmech]

I always used the angled "beaks",but it seems no matter what the brand they can only go in a tad as the ring is flush to it's backing /QUOTE]
Try laying the ring on a flat surface before grabbing it with the tips. Keep just enough squeeze on it to avoid dropping it. Hold the ring like you're picking up a shot glass by the rim. Get it in position. squeeze and push. and if it pops off the tips you've still got the ring. I also try to block or clamp the housing that's getting the ring to the benchtop so it can't squirm away.

 

[Farmall450]

I usually don't demonstrate tools... but here is the Knipex precision snap ring pliers in action, hassle free removal and insertion.

Positioning the pliers inside the bore holes:

Snap ring removed:

Snap ring being inserted back in:

I know how to, they just always seem to like popping off when I am compressing them or lifting it out.

If you don't like the snap rings on the 1/2" ratchets you should try the snap rings GM uses in there transmissions and t-cases. These snap rigs are much larger and have no holes in them for the pliers to fit into, I have seen a snap ring go through a plate glass window one time.

Ouch!

I never new they were called snap rings until I became a tech in my mid 20s. My dad always called them Jesus clips when we would work on things. I asked him one time why do they call them Jesus clips he said " because when the damn thing comes popping out you say Jesus where did it go!" We laughed and it popped out and he said " see I told you now go find it" lmao good times. People still look at me funny when I call them that

The tongue jacks at work have a pretty good size one on them that makes me nervous taking off with my **** snap ring pliers. I need new ones....I'm going to the classified section.

I see why...me too it looks like!

I always used the angled "beaks",but it seems no matter what the brand they can only go in a tad as the ring is flush to it's backing /QUOTE]
Try laying the ring on a flat surface before grabbing it with the tips. Keep just enough squeeze on it to avoid dropping it. Hold the ring like you're picking up a shot glass by the rim. Get it in position. squeeze and push. and if it pops off the tips you've still got the ring. I also try to block or clamp the housing that's getting the ring to the benchtop so it can't squirm away.

They fly away taking it off more than putting it back.

 

[Farmall450]

We have a 6 inch snap ring in a device at work that takes two of us experienced people to remove and install. We bought very large snap ring pliers for it, but it will still hurt you if you are not careful. One person has to operate the pliers, and the other has to get the ring pried out of it's internal recessed groove. Getting it back in is just as bad.

wow...pictures???

 

[5mall5nail5]

Actually big snap rings are easy. It's small, 6 - 9mm snap rings that are pyscho. The kind you find on transmissions holding in blind plugs and such. PITA.

 

[mooseracing]

They fly away taking it off more than putting it back.

Then the pliers aren't fitting right or the end user is a problem.

I don't care for Snap On but this is one case where their dedicated snap ring and other ring pliers out shine others. No adjustable and changeable tips, etc. Fixed style.

Like these

Once I did more transmission and transfer case work I realized quickly how ****** everything offered was.

 

[Heavy tech]

It's a bit over kill for a 1/2" ratchet, but here's what we have for the big un's. Works awesome for the snap rings in the equalizer shaft on D8 dozers (6" or so?)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[BK13]

Holy frijole!

 

[A_Pmech]

if you think snap rings on 1/2 ratchets are big...then you need to get out more

Yes, exactly.



Tip: Small assemblies with charged springs in a clear plastic bag to contain the parts.

 

[jethro29]

they are cake if you have the right tool.just there are so many sizes,that's why I love these things

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220546&highlight=jethro29+snapring+pliers

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I know how to, they just always seem to like popping off when I am compressing them or lifting it out.

I'm not saying you don't know how to do it... Just recommending Knipex snap ring pliers.

It seems to me, Knipex makes better snap ring pliers than most of the other brands mentioned. That is my personal opinion and experience. I don't have experience with the other brands mentioned so I'm making an assumption since I've never had a snap ring fly away.

Maybe others can chime in who have used other brands as well as Knipex.

Just trying to help out.

 

[Farmall450]

I'm not saying you don't know how to do it... Just recommending Knipex snap ring pliers.

It seems to me, Knipex makes better snap ring pliers than most of the other brands mentioned. That is my personal opinion and experience. I don't have experience with the other brands mentioned so I'm making an assumption since I've never had a snap ring fly away.

Maybe others can chime in who have used other brands as well as Knipex.

Just trying to help out.

I will look into it!

It's a bit over kill for a 1/2" ratchet, but here's what we have for the big un's. Works awesome for the snap rings in the equalizer shaft on D8 dozers (6" or so?)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Holy...