Sure you can use the old clips. The chances are 99 1/2 percent they will be fine with no future problems.
In most other circumstances the depth should be 1/2 the width of the circlip at it's working diameter. There should be about as much material in the groove as out of the groove. This is it's strongest point.
How to Install a Snap Ring
- Put on a pair a pair of safety glasses.
- Insert the tips of a needle-nose or circlip pliers into the holes at the end of the snap ring.
- Open the pliers so the arms of the snap ring are pulled back and the loop of the ring widens.
- Slip the expanded snap ring over the groove of the wheel.
To remove this ring, simply pry out the end using a small screwdriver or staple remover, and then spiral the ring out by hand. For larger size rings, Smalley also makes a removal tool, part number RT-108, that can be used to remove the rings. The end of the tool contains a slot to insert the tip of the removal notch.
The two basic designs circlips come in are external and internal. External circlips fit around a shaft, pressing on it, whilst internal circlips are fitted inside a cylindrical bore, or housing, and push outwards. Usually, each opposing end of the ring will have a lug with a small hole through it.
To ensure you get the correct size for an Internal Circlip: Measure from the Outside on one side to the Inside on the other. Internal Circlips are fitted inside a Cylindrical bore or a Housing and push outwards.
Stamped rings are installed with the help of a special tool — snap ring pliers. The pliers are inserted into the lugs to separate or compress the ends so the retaining ring can clear the shaft or bore. Stamped rings can replace cotter pins and other traditional fasteners in an array of applications.
Re: how to remove broken snap ring? Small screwdriver to push the ring around the circle a bit until you can see it in the opening. Use a pick or small screwdriver or something to get under the ring and pry up. If you can get a rebuild kit they typically come with a new one.
Circlips, Retaining Rings and Snap Rings are fasteners that grasp elements or installations onto a shaft or in a dwelling/bore when assembled in a groove. Once it's fixed, the exposed piece functions as a shoulder which holds the particular element or installation.
Push upwards and apply steady, moderate pressure.Once your tool is aligned with the E-clip, simply press up on the tool to remove it from its position. Be careful not to use too much pressure, or the E-clip may go flying!
To remove a Spirolox ring using a screwdriver or any flat blade tool/dental pick, insert the tool tip into the removal notch and pry out the end of the ring. You can then grab the ring and spiral it out of the groove.
The E Type Snap Ring (also known as the “E-Ring”) provides wider surface areas. They fit on shafts or tubes that have grooves on them. E-Rings are also ideal for shafts with smaller diameters. See below for our E ring size chart, configuration drawings, materials & corresponding retaining ring assembly tools.
Also known as snap rings, these fasteners are removable and reusable. They often do the job of several parts by replacing cotter pins, nuts and washers. Self-locking retaining rings do not require a groove for installation. They are used in small applications with very low thrust loads.
"Snap ring failure" refers to a small metal ring in the transmission that breaks (shatters) as a result of the stresses put on it by an improperly manufactured transmission case. If the snap ring does twist (like rolling a rubber band inside-out) then it shatters in many pieces.
