Marquis de Sade excellence in engineering award--thermostat snap ring

newoldguy · 03-02-2002, 05:42 PM

Maybe this will help some of you guys looking forward to, or, avoiding changing your thermostat. I had read the posts about the fun and enjoyment of getting out the snap ring. Despite your warnings, I had to prove that you all were right with a futile first attempt on my own. I had considered that my problem was that I hadn't used a large enough number of cuss words to aid in the process. However, upon trying this remedy, it also proved to be less than helpful

Therefore, I tried the following: Went to the local "cheapo" tool store and bought a 12 inch long needle nose plier (about $6) with 45 degree bent ends. Then on the bench grinder, I carefully ground off material so that I had about 1/8 of an inch of material in length leaving "tips" more or less rounded that would fit in the holes of the snap ring. Coming up from the bottom, I was able to get the plier tips in the holes of the snap ring (which were located on the high side of the hole) and it pretty much came right out. Now, it wasn't easy because it took some fussing to get the pliers in there with the tight spaces involved. But reading about the trials and tribulations of some of the intrepid voyagers here I thought you should know about this and maybe it will make your life a bit easier.

kukunaokala · 03-02-2002, 06:01 PM

TOO LATE! I looked at the $#$#^%$& thing and used my Craftsman screw type with replacable inserts. Bent the $%^& out of my inserts so I modified my long reach needle nose pliers. No biggie but now I have the industrial strength (not Craftsman) screw type snap ring pliers.

Just ask, we're glad to tell horror stories about our marque. How about a clutch job next?

Aloha, Neal

wolfrpi · 03-03-2002, 12:31 AM

The snap ring is a cinch (relatively) with the right tool. I'll post a pic of the tool (used to be available at home depot) when I get the time.

Lawrence Coppari · 03-03-2002, 11:08 AM

Newoldguy,

I did the same thing. My 45 degree pliers are a foot long and are Harbor Freight specials. They did the job. The snap ring on the AC clutch is a bundle of fun as well. Not quite as bad, but still trouble.