Found Way to Remove Trans. Mainshaft Snap Ring

[19Fordy]

After some experimenting I came up with this method so snap ring is not damaged. Wear safety goggles.

Be patient as you may have to try more than once to get the positioning of the machinists clamp correct. When removed the snap ring still maintained it's 1 7/16 in. ID and it was easy to make the ends align. Don't forget to regrind the snap ring taper for easy removal next time.

1. Place main shaft in vise with alum. jaws and use machinist's parallel clamp to hold snap ring in place as shown. Blue tape prevents slipping.

2. Make sure top jaw of clamp extends beyond the end of the snap ring with the backwards cut, leaving only a small space to insert snap ring plier jaws. Photos 1 thru 4.

3. Insert snap ring pliers and expand snap ring by placing on leg of the pliers AGAINST THE JAW of the clamp and the other against the snap ring. Photo 5.

4.With snap ring extended, insert small blade screwdriver between shaft and snap ring.
Photos 6 and 7

5.Then insert larger blade screwdriver to gently lift and pry snap ring away from shaft. Do this a little at a time so you don't permanently distort the snap ring. DON'T LET THE SCREWDRIVER BLADE CATCH INSIDE THE SNAP RING GROOVE BY MISTAKE. Go slow.
Photos 8,9, 10, 11

I "custom filed" the jaws of my 52 year old snap ring pliers just a tiny bit to make them "grab" better. Hope this helps.