How to Remove Snap Ring Without Pliers?

Let’s face it, there will be times where you would need a snap ring replacement, but there will be no pliers at hand. For instance, while traveling, maybe? You can fix the snap ring once you get home. But what would you do with the bike once it gets damaged? Would you leave it there or carry it all the way home? That’s straight-up depressing.

To ease up the worry that’s upon your mind right now, we’ll show you two methods of how to remove snap ring without pliers. Yeah, two methods have two different tools. You may have access to one of them, right?

Why Do You Need Alternative Methods?

The question may arise, if you can carry retaining ring pliers at all times, why would you need to know alternative methods of removing snap rings without pliers? The answer is not only limited to pliers or snap rings.

For bikers, it’s essential to know many alternative methods because there are times when you may not have access to any or some tools. So, knowing a few alternatives to most of the necessary tweaks of your bike would save you a lot of time and money.

Even when the designated tools can fail because of any damage, there might be times. If you don’t know the alternatives, you will be forced to visit the workshop and spend money for probably 5 minutes worth of labor.

Alternative Tools to Remove Snap Ring

There are two basic tools that you can get your jam going on while not having retaining ring pliers or C-clips pliers at hand. These two are a pair of punches and a needle nose plier. Let’s go forward with the methods in a usual step-by-step process.

How to Remove Snap Ring with Punches

Step 1

Precisely and cautiously align the punches with the hole of the snap ring of the bike and place the punches firmly on the spot.

Step 2

Use a dowel rod to work as a fulcrum in between the punches. Now push the punches’ top part and open the snap ring.

How to Remove Snap Ring with Needle Nose Pliers

Step 1

Put the tips of the needle nose pliers on the hole of the snap ring. You have to make sure that the pliers are attached perfectly. Otherwise, the ring could break and get stuck.

Step 2

Now gently press the pliers’ handles to spread the snap ring a little. Keeping the holding firm on the handles, slowly pull the snap ring out.

So, these two are the basic alternatives of snap ring pliers. We could add other methods, but they are not as reliable as these two tools and techniques.

Also, other methods require more precision. Because of that, if anything goes wrong, you would end up damaging the snap ring and the shaft where it is installed. That way, it will substantially increase the repair cost and waste your time a lot.

Also Read: How to Measure Snap Rings

Final Words

So, this is how to remove snap ring without pliers. Technically you need pliers but not the one usually used for removing snap rings. If you have any of these two tools at hand for fulfilling other household or personal work, you can actually remove and install the snap ring without needing to buy retaining ring pliers.

This is why knowing alternatives are essential for bikers. It definitely saves money and time.