Transmission Repair

Bud

Bud

Well-known member
What type snap ring pliers do you use on the retaining rings used in the V8 transmission? I used my cheap set with the replaceable pin ends, but it barely had enough travel to do the job and kept slipping off. I know about grinding the ends on the ring parallel and I did that. Is it better to use a snap ring pliers that has a parallel linkage? If so, what brand? If you have a picture of the pliers you use, that would be helpful.
Thanks
 
The ones you want do not look like the snap ring pliers you are use to seeing. The are heavier duty with flat ends and some with a small area that sticks off one side to get into the groove you see on the output shaft of your transmission. The ends are knurled to help grip the hard snaprings.

One i have were made by snapon and probably 50 years old. Craftsman did make the same ones years ago
 
I can't suggest how to easily get them off initially. I just find ways to get it done, but once they are off, I've been drilling small holes, one on each end, with tungsten carbide drills, to put them back on using standard snap ring pliers, and maybe get them off again if it's ever necessary.
 
This is what i use. Also got a pair with a offset for getting the snapring off the syncro in a Lasalle 3 speed.

If your replacing all of the snap rings with new ones, a small welding tip in a combination torch, you can heat a small spot in the snap ring and pop it off with a screwdriver. Full rebuilds its best to replace all of them
 

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We’ve always suggested the Lisle made lock ring pliers.....also available at Sears (for who knows how much longer). We don’t recommend re-using snap rings in transmission rebuilds. They do wear in the grooves they’ve lived in, and that can affect endplay. So we had them all made.....correct thickness.....with opposed tips......made in the USA.
 
Mac's snap rings are not only a correct width fit, they are also much easier to remove and install due to the opposed profile of the split ends. Some of the old ones can be a bugger bear to get off due to a profile that takes some work to get them to spread. They are slant cut so you can only get under one end easily but not so easy on the other. They will come off with persistence but I would never put one of those back on.
 
When I was working, if I saw snap ring pliers that i did not own, I would buy them.
Cheap insurance because if you don't have the correct one you can mess up some high priced parts.
Bruce
 
Can't say enough good things about Mac VP and his parts and advice, especially when it comes to transmissions!!

Dick.
 
I found a set of pliers at Pep Boys auto parts. Was a stock item with knurled tips that prevent the end of the ring from slipping off.
 
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