Tricks to installing Circlips???

[Bravo]

I am installing my new P&C's today and those little circlips are awfully hard to get into position. Is there some type of compressing tool for this? Any tips of trick would be appreciated. The last thing I want to do is lose one down into the case!

Dean
1966 911 Coupe Soon to be 2.2E

[ChrisBennet]

Place rags so that if a circlip takes off it can't go in the case. I really hate those wrist pin clips. I usually try to con one of my friends into doing it. If you have to do it yourself, you can install one circlip per piston while they're on the bench. I take pair of needlenose pliers and file a notch in the face of each side, near the tip so when the pliers are closed if forms a hole that looks like this "<>". It's more useful for getting them out than installing them but I haven't come up with anything better. The circlips I got from the Porsche dealer were thinner and easier to work with than the ones that came from other sources.
-Chris

[john walker's workshop]

one clip is installed into the piston first, before you slide the wrist pin thru the rod bushing. the other clip is held by the thumb and forefinger, at an angle, with the gap on either side of the notch in the piston, (as shown). the clip is pushed firmly into the bore at an angle, the leading edges catch the groove that the clip lives in, and the round butt end of the clip is pushed home with your thumb. a pocket screwdriver can aid the thumb as you push it home. easy, no headaches, no special tools.

[john walker's workshop]

this is how you get them out. the old pocket screwdriver again. push it in behind the clip and out it comes.

[Bravo]

God John thanks a million!! I got them all on but I was using my little helper screwdriver on the 4th one and it slipped and stabbed my finger right through my F#$#%ing fingernail! I was so worried about the clip falling into the case that i barely noticed until I found the clip!! It bled like hell. Now that is an example of what not to do! I was going to take a pic of the injury but you can all imagine! thanks for the replies

Dean

[Bravo]

Heres how they look

Dean

[john walker's workshop]

all injuries should be posted as a warning to others. people think this is a safe profession. ha!