Need a snap ring plier

[sifan]

I need to open up my PCV catch can to replace its crack plastic ture inside. The top of can is held up by a snap ring about 1.75" in diameter. I bought a pair of snap ring plier from Sears, but its thin tips were bent as I applied it. Where can I find a snap ring plier that is strong enough to do the job?

 

[Tosh]

Can you grind the tips shorter so that they resist bending better?

 

[sifan]

This is a great suggestion. But, is this a common practice to get around this kind of problem? How long will it take me to file away the thin tips since I do not have an electrical grinder?

 

[doitmyself]

If you have the money, buy better pliars that have replaceable/interchangeable tips. Then you can match the tip to the job at hand. I bought mine from NAPA and they can also be changed from "inny" to "outy" type snap rings. Any auto parts store should have them. I can't remember the price, maybe around $12?

If yours are Craftsman, return them for an exchange.

 

[sifan]

The plier I got from Sears is made by Craftsman with replacement tips. However, all the replacement tips that came with it are all too thin for the snap ring I tried to remove.

 

[doitmyself]

Sifan,

Those pliers tend to come in two sizes, small and large. My Grainger catalog shows the large size will accomodate a tip up to 0.1 inch diameter.

I think your only luck will be to search out the better tool suppliers in you area. Maybe you can find some bigger tips and/or a bigger plier.

Can you make you're own tip out of something like a clothes hanger wire?

Good luck

 

[sifan]

This is another great suggestion by making my own tips. Do you think the coat hanger wire is stong enought? I wonder if small nails will do.

I think I will first look for thicker tips for my $24 Craftsman plier, which has a switch on one of its handles to reverse action. Or I can exchange this fancy plier for the larger size one. Thanks.

 

[Tosh]

The steel from nails and coat hangers isn't strong enough. Possibly a masonry nail, like from a carpet edge strip. Try cutting up an allen wrench of the right size (after you bend it 90 degrees).
You may find that the clamping arrangement on those light-duty retaining ring pliers is also a weak link.