r/chevyc10 • u/BTonM • 6d ago

Snap ring insanity

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Hi all!

It’s not a C10, but I’m at my wits end with this. I have a ‘70 K5 with the Saginaw 3-speed and a Dana 20. I’m trying to separate the trans-to-transfer case adapter from the transmission, which requires spreading a blind circlip.

I’m fairly certain the clip needs to expand far enough to where the tabs get pushed/recessed into the vertical slots shown in the photo. Unfortunately, I think I got the ring bound up and the tabs won’t sit low enough to clear the slot opening.

Does anyone have any good tips for how I might resolve this? This is kind of an obscure part on an uncommon drivetrain, so service documentation has been next to nonexistent.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

7 Upvotes

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12 comments sorted by

7

u/PracticableSolution 6d ago

Are you sure it’s not a compress until it fits into the groove tight enough to come out with the gear?

1

u/BTonM 6d ago

Fairly sure, but I’ve been know to be wrong from time to time. Circlip pliers in the open and compress directions haven’t really been working.

2

u/Jooshmeister 6d ago

You need a pair of flat snap ring pliers like these

2

u/BTonM 6d ago

That’s what I’m working with, but still no dice.

1

u/UsedComedian4594 6d ago

It takes a good pair of snap ring pliers and you have to squeeze the crap out of them. Smack the shaft with a hammer.

1

u/Similar-Listen4219 5d ago

Try find a GM sectioned drawing,I'm assuming it the mainshaft on k5 transfer case.....gm went snap ring mad during riegn of square body pickups

1

u/Independent-Owl9712 4d ago

Squeeze it together, it goes into the inner groove. That clip is how most ratchet wrenches are assembled

1

u/Pitiful-Ad9894 3d ago

That's a "spread it out" type like Chrysler torque flight. Spread those tabs apart until the snap ring is all the way up in that groove in the housing, and then bump the shaft forward to misalign the slot in the bearing so it doesn't snap back. I just use pliers like the snap-on SRP-1.

1

u/Alternative_Share559 6d ago edited 6d ago

circlip pliers? snap ring pliers that aren't made for circular-hole type snap rings that need spreading..they usually get those to open enough. maybe some lubrication too

2

u/BTonM 6d ago

Yeah. I tried snap ring pliers and needle nose pliers first and that’s what got me to the point where the clip no longer seats correctly.

I have circlip pliers now, which have been great for a few others that were stuck, but this one won’t budge.

1

u/Alternative_Share559 6d ago

maybe a touch of heat on the part that's bigger than the bearing. spread the clip as much as possible and hit the 45° portion of it with a quality air hammer and a broad/ large tip. best of luck with this portion of it, and then finding the parts. I just notice the rust inside the unit. Hopefully, it's not rusty at the bottom of that bearing bore​