What the f’n trick to get the tail shaft clip spread far enough apart

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70Roadkill

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ok, so I have the tail shaft off, trans is assembled except the the f’n tail shaft clip I apparently don’t have the right tool to spread it far enough apart.

What tricks do you have that I can use to get the snap ring far enough apart.
 
I made a special tool but it's still tricky sometimes. I think KD makes a snap ring pliers with little circular extensions on the ends to push the clip ends further apart.
 
I had what I would call Duck Bill spreaders I used for years. They have disappeared and last time I did it I used tips on my combo tool with right angle bends to get it done with effort!
 
I had to wedge a screwdriver in to act as a spacer to give my pliers some extra needed "spreadability".
 
Walked away and it’s amazing when you come back ask with a clearer mind what happens, able to get it spread apart just enough to finally get it to slip down.
 
KD does make the proper pliers to remove the tail housing. Any reputable parts distributor probably has them, or can get them for you.
 
"Duck bill" You have to be careful........some are too small and I think KD changed their design from "back in the 70's"
 
I use these. Kim

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can you fit feeler gauges in there under the clip when you pry the circlip apart? Sort of a crutch to keep the thing from nesting back into the groove until you get another bite on it. Turbos have huge circlips holding the snail to the cartridge. I ended up filing the tips of some large needle nose pliers to use as circlip pliers. Sketchy but effective.
 
The slot for the snap ring is about 1/4" wide, a feeler gauge is too wide to get in the slot. Use the correct tool & do it right the first time so there isn't problems later.
 
I picked up a set of extra large snap ring pliers (look similar to Kim's but about 15-16" long) at my local tool house for $16. Their an off brand but work great.
 
I lost my big duckbill pliers, so I use my smaller pair with a 5/16" bolt on one or both sides (if it takes a bit more effort to push the snapring up into the channel).
 
Keep in mind you have to do the same snap ring putting it back together.:D
 
The trick I found works the best is the duck billed pliers along with a flat head screw driver to pry housing back away from the bearing. DOne it many many times.
 
One of the issues I had was there wasn't any knurling to grip the snap ring when spreading it, it kepts slipping off. Need to get me a pair so in the future it goes a bit smoother.
 
I used two flat blade screwdrivers, but I cheated because I had a helper to pull the housing off while I opened the retaining ring.
 
One of the issues I had was there wasn't any knurling to grip the snap ring when spreading it, it kepts slipping off. Need to get me a pair so in the future it goes a bit smoother.

I used to have retaining ring pliers for manual trans snap rings that were just bad *** and worked perfect for those rings as well.
They were made for example, for those big 1/8 thick input shaft bearing rings.
Fortunately they disappeared somewhere over the years after I got out of the trans business.
Mine were Snap On so they probably cost 80 bucks, but I really don't remember how much they were.
They were a life saver on tough snap rings.

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I used to have retaining ring pliers for manual trans snap rings that were just bad *** and worked perfect for those rings as well.
They were made for example, for those big 1/8 thick input shaft bearing rings.
Fortunately they disappeared somewhere over the years after I got out of the trans business.
Mine were Snap On so they probably cost 80 bucks, but I really don't remember how much they were.
They were a life saver on tough snap rings.

View attachment 1715306603
That is the exact same ones I use and I've had it for over 45 years. Works great.
 
It's all about the right tool.....
With the right spreader, it's as easy as falling down drunk.


Jeff
 
I used to have retaining ring pliers for manual trans snap rings that were just bad *** and worked perfect for those rings as well.
They were made for example, for those big 1/8 thick input shaft bearing rings.
Fortunately they disappeared somewhere over the years after I got out of the trans business.
Mine were Snap On so they probably cost 80 bucks, but I really don't remember how much they were.
They were a life saver on tough snap rings.

View attachment 1715306603


Are these the ones? $70 bucks. Looks like it. I ask because i will be pulling a couple of tailshafts off in the not-too-distant future.

Pliers, Snap Ring, 90° Angle Jaws, 14" long

Snap-on  Snap Ring Pliers needed SRP4.jpg
 
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