The Ford Barn

37 Coupe · 11-13-2018, 12:24 PM

I bought a new snap ring spacer
rather than using the old one but I am having a devil of a time getting it on to snap into the groove.Is their some sort of trick or a special tool? I have tried spreading it but I don't want to distort it,I have tried a light press on it thinking that it would spread itself on the starting taper. Ridiculous to spend an hour or two on something like this. I did end of putting the original back no problem but it is kinda loose on the diameter and spins around some.I don't think it would come off especially when the hub or housing bolts on the front of transmission case.Go with the old one?

Tom Wesenberg · 11-13-2018, 11:55 PM

A duck bill snap ring pliers should work. I bought mine at Sears. Too bad Sears has closed so many stores, but luckily you should still be able to buy the same Craftsman tool at Lowes or Ace Hardware.

Bill G · 11-14-2018, 12:37 AM

I just did one. Rather we did one. It took a vice, a punch, hammer, screw driver and some cussing, but got it. Held it steady in the vice with a couple rags to hold it still. One person starting one end with a screw driver, and the other "working it" around with a punch. Once you get one end started and can actually keep it in the little channel, your home free. A pair of duck bill snap ring pliers would have helped greatly, but at my friend's shop, we did not have one. A week later, I found my pair.

37 Coupe · 11-14-2018, 08:59 AM

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Thanks for both above replies.A buddy is coming over with his extra hands and his Blue Point duck bill set

11-13-2018, 12:24 PM	#1
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Main drive gear snap ring question. I bought a new snap ring spacer rather than using the old one but I am having a devil of a time getting it on to snap into the groove.Is their some sort of trick or a special tool? I have tried spreading it but I don't want to distort it,I have tried a light press on it thinking that it would spread itself on the starting taper. Ridiculous to spend an hour or two on something like this. I did end of putting the original back no problem but it is kinda loose on the diameter and spins around some.I don't think it would come off especially when the hub or housing bolts on the front of transmission case.Go with the old one? __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II Last edited by 37 Coupe; 11-13-2018 at 09:02 PM.

11-13-2018, 11:55 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Main drive gear snap ring question. A duck bill snap ring pliers should work. I bought mine at Sears. Too bad Sears has closed so many stores, but luckily you should still be able to buy the same Craftsman tool at Lowes or Ace Hardware.

11-14-2018, 12:37 AM	#3
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Main drive gear snap ring question. I just did one. Rather we did one. It took a vice, a punch, hammer, screw driver and some cussing, but got it. Held it steady in the vice with a couple rags to hold it still. One person starting one end with a screw driver, and the other "working it" around with a punch. Once you get one end started and can actually keep it in the little channel, your home free. A pair of duck bill snap ring pliers would have helped greatly, but at my friend's shop, we did not have one. A week later, I found my pair.

11-14-2018, 08:59 AM	#4
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: Main drive gear snap ring question. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for both above replies.A buddy is coming over with his extra hands and his Blue Point duck bill set __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II