Everything is easier on a lift, except taking a power nap in the middle of a job. LOL
In a more perfect world the engineers would have provided a relief/cut away in that shoulder where the snap ring is better exposed. Maybe you can create that relief? Maybe whittle the plier tips down a bit? Maybe to a half moon shape? The seal wall below those holes is soft enough that you can distort it so the tips go deeper though the snap ring holes.
