Ball joint retaining clip

[moduleunknown]

Before I go trying to smash this thing on out of frustration, can anyone tell me the proper way to get this clip on? Is there some tool I can get to spread it? If so, what the heck is it called? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif

 

[Muskrat]

Those are a bitch. I think the replacement joints I used came with large snap rings. 10x easier. yo might try that route if you can't get it. And industrial supply store would be your best bet for finding them.

Otherwise, try using a pair of needle nose pliers to separate them what you put it on from the top and slide it down the body of the joint. Snap ring pliers would work too, and might be easier.

 

[Barnes]

Buy some external snap ring pliers (bigger ones) at the auto parts store or sears. It will make the job 100x easier.

 

[grocery_getter]

Snap ring pliers are pretty much going to be non effective against that because of how wide the actual ring is. When you try to use a snap ring pliers it will not be able to load the ring open enough to clear the upper lip of the balljoint body. And even if you did it, it will open up the ring too big permanently to fit tightly on the grove.

Best way is to hook one edge into the groove and walk the rest of the ring into the groove with a screwdriver and hammer, if you have to.

 

[Barnes]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Worked for me, but Andre certainly works on these cars WAAAAAYYY more than myself.

 

[moduleunknown]

Snap ring pliers weren't helping any, so I came up with a plan B. Build a tool...

Wire strippers...



Take off a few parts, grind down the ends, grind the inside a bit so you can squeeze further and spread the ring wide enough...



Installed both clips in under a minute. DONE! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[NateCrisman]

nothing more satisfying than making your on tools for a specific use.

 

[Barnes]

So did it go over okay without getting stretched? That is the problem with these things, you can't over expand them. Is it tight around the ball joint?

 

[moduleunknown]

Yup, it's on tight. Spread it just enough to slide down the side and it snapped right into place when it got to the groove.

 

[iceman69510]

I didn't have a problem using my external type pliers that I bought when I rebuilt my transmission.