Snap ring POS!

Kierf - ¿§? · 02-03-2002, 07:24 PM

Alright...I've been trying to get the damn snap ring off to remove the thermostat...for about a week or so. I have spent about $60 in tools that don't fit. I took a picture so that you can see the orientation of the snap ring. I'm going to buy the snap ring tool from ***************.

Lastly...when I do finally remove it either with the tool or a shotgun, what is the best orientation for the snap ring so that it'll be easiest to remove next time...?

wolfrpi · 02-03-2002, 09:15 PM

The tool has blue handle and is available at Home Depot for about $10 (it includes other pliers). The whole set is in a yellow package.

turtle944 · 02-04-2002, 04:52 AM

You can also get 90degree needle-nose pliers from autozone. They have long handles and can easily reach the snap ring. Worked for me right away.

Brian

Lawrence Coppari · 05:43 AM

I've used needle nosed pliers with the tips ground down to fit the ring. The pliers were a cheap harbor freight item that are quite long and curved. It was not easy to get out.

Kierf - ¿§? · 02-04-2002, 03:48 PM

Home Depot didn't have any of those pliers, wolfpri.

Also, I can't use anything with a 90 degree bend unless it is about 3" long. The snap ring holes are towards the front of the car. I can't get the pliers into position because the handles are too long.

Oh well...the damn tool from *************** should be here in a few days...

jeh1995 · 02-04-2002, 06:00 PM

The best place to attack from is under the car. The snap ring holes should be a the top of the water pump housing. I used a regular snap ring pliers set with a 45-degree bend I think. It was a pain but not as bad as others.... like the oil cooler O-Rings, engine mounts, etc...

3sonfather · 02-05-2002, 01:21 PM

I feel your pain. The last time I removed the thermostat from my car I was so mad that I popped the whole works out by prying at the top bonnet of the thermostat. I was thrilled when the snap ring came flying out – even though the thermostat was destroyed. Someone at Vertex claimed to use a wire, thread it through one of the snap-ring holes and give it a yank. The problem that I see is it would be extremely difficult to get a wire threaded through that hole with the thermostat seal pressed against the inside of it.

turtle944 · 02-05-2002, 01:27 PM

I went to auto zone, found a 90 degrees pair of needle nose plyers, and they had about 3-4" of length after the bend. The handles went up/down and the bend went in far enough to get into the snap ring holes.

$9.50 at autozone

Brian

Kierf - ¿§? · 02-06-2002, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by turtle944
I went to auto zone, found a 90 degrees pair of needle nose plyers, and they had about 3-4" of length after the bend. The handles went up/down and the bend went in far enough to get into the snap ring holes.

$9.50 at autozone

Brian

The set pictured above on the left is the only set they had at Autozone. Middle one is from Sears, right set is from Home Depot.

Jeh1995, I can't get to if from the bottom. The holes aren't at the top, nor the bottom. They are towards the front of the car, almost 90 degress from the top/bottom.