[ChrisL]

I just completed the same job on my '86 Carrera and have similar observations. You can do this without removing the heat exchangers, but the driver's side is difficult to do. The passenger's side is cake.

I didn't have a problem getting the old ones out. I used vise grips to crush the old ones, making a z-bend sort of thing after flattening them.

I'm not sure about the looseness of the snap ring after installation - putting it on the inner tube stretches the cr@p out of it, so it's a little limp after installation. Little or no stress on it, so I don't think it's a problem.

Also, the hose clamp trick works wonders - don't know how you'd get them seated without something to provide leverage without crushing them. I, too, couldn't get my snap ring pliers in there after installation, so I used a screwdriver to slide it into place.

All in all a pretty easy and effective job. No leaks so far!

Chris.

Here's a shot of the driver's side. With the oil pipe and heat exchanger it's a bit of a challenge to get the old ones out and the new ones in.