Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

WavyD

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
30
Ordered a good set of snap ring pliers
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-82110.aspx
to remove the retaining rings (snap) in the foot of a lower unit.
They are sturdy and plenty long enough to get a grip on the rings.

Problem is,they slip off the ring under pressure.
I'm a fairly strong person so the grip is not an issue.
No matter how many times I've tried to compress the rings enough to slide them out,the pliers slip.

Is there a better tool ?
I have several of these I'm working on and need the right tool.
what is used out there ?? please tell.

Thanks,
WD
 

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

I used a Craftsman set when I did mine. They were just straight tips, not 90-degrees. The heavier duty you get the better.
 

ziggy

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Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

i don't know which snap ring your talking about. but it must be a big one.
i had a big snap ring that prevented gimble brg. removal on my mc-1 drive. them big snap ring pliers were pretty pricey i thought.

so

i went to harbor freight and they had some cheap big needle nose pliers (chineez brand)....
IMG_4458.jpg


did me a little mod to the tip of them.

IMG_4457.jpg

viola, big snap ring pliers. they worked very well on that big snap ring in ft. of the gimble brg anyways...
 

fishrdan

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Jan 25, 2008
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6,989
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

I've had to do like Ziggy on some of my snap ring pliers, put a small notch in the tip with a dremel so the ring doesn't slip off. Just don't go too crazy and make the tool weak.
 

WavyD

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
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Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

great tips guys~no pun ...thank you.
yes,the two rings are very stout...they are the two that sit in front of the carrier bearing housing and behind the rev. gear...took some out of a Johnson 150 by tearing them out,,not a pretty site...now taking them out of a 70hp.

beefing up to a bigger plier and making notches makes sense.

i'm wondering what the shop guys use...!?
i'll try the big pliers with dremel.

thanks
 
G

Guest

Guest
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

Sounds like someone didn't look at the way the snap ring was made. If you look real close at them you can see that one side has a smooth edge while the other side has a sharp edge(this done when they are stamped out at the factory). When you do get it out make sure you put the sharpe edge up and you should not have any problems getting them out after that. Yes I also put a small grove on my snap ring plyers for this very reason. I have been a heavy truck, offroad mechanic ret. for mant years and did this to all my new plyers.
 

oviedochapparal

Recruit
Joined
Aug 25, 2010
Messages
3
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

locking snap ring pliers are available from most tool suppliers. They have a ratchet mechanism that holds the ring compressed for removal.
 

GatorMike

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Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Messages
902
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

I wish I had not read this thread. I was so proud of my invention (modifying the tips of a pair of long needle nose pliers) to get the snap rings out. Now I see everybody invented the same tool.
 

scipper77

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Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
2,106
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

I wish I had not read this thread. I was so proud of my invention (modifying the tips of a pair of long needle nose pliers) to get the snap rings out. Now I see everybody invented the same tool.

We do this at my job all the time. The modified pliers work better than the store bought snap ring pliers.

It takes a little skill to make a good pair, and if you remove too much material the tip will break. But when you make a "good" tool it is worth the effort.

P.S. We make them because the snap rings they are for are at the bottom of a hole that the regular S.R. pliers won't reach.
 

scipper77

Commander
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
2,106
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

Also you can try making a very tiny notch at the end of the pliers and then hitting the end if the pliers with a hammer to bend the tips in. This method gives a functional S.R. plier without removing as much material weakining the tool. (Yes I've made several pairs of these in my day).

A word of warning is that we have 5 pairs of pliers waiting to be modified when the current snappers break. We will likely only get three functioning pairs out of these as we often make a pair and it breaks right away. This is why I have been trying the hammer method lately. I have not made enough pairs this way yet to tell you is is a better way to make them.
 

WavyD

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
30
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

Sounds like someone didn't look at the way the snap ring was made. If you look real close at them you can see that one side has a smooth edge while the other side has a sharp edge(this done when they are stamped out at the factory). When you do get it out make sure you put the sharpe edge up and you should not have any problems getting them out after that. Yes I also put a small grove on my snap ring plyers for this very reason. I have been a heavy truck, offroad mechanic ret. for mant years and did this to all my new plyers.


nope,,just removing to inspect gears and lower parts...these that i am working on have never been removed....but your tip on the edges i did not know,,,thanks.

going to try notching some tips that came with the pliers.
if the strength is not there,plan b is going with different pliers and notching...

i got to thinking could i take nails the size that would fit in the inserts on my new pliers and notch the nails,,,but i guess it depends on the strength and nail type for that small of a nail....i'm thinking it will be too weak.
?
 

WavyD

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
30
Re: Removing snap rings~lower unit~tool ?

locking snap ring pliers are available from most tool suppliers. They have a ratchet mechanism that holds the ring compressed for removal.

i looked at these but have not seen them over 10 inches long....
i need 13+ to reach some rings in these units.
 
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