snap ring pliers?

[Bernard Littau]

> Hey all-
>
> I need some snap ring pliers to do the shifter bushing on my 90q.
> I went to
> Home Depot, looking for Channelock tool #904 and my local one did not have
> it. Searching on Harbor Freight, I find snap ring pliers of the "external"
> and "internal" variety.
>
> I feel like a fool for asking, but what's the difference? The rings the
> pliers will be used on are the ring that goes around the shifter stick and
> the ring that hold my new door lock cylinder in place...advice?

Hi Megan,

Internal snap rings need to have the two ends moved closer together to be
removed; they are held in place along their outside edge.

External snap rings need to have the two ends moved further apart to be
removed; they are held in place along their inside edge.

Harbor freight sells several snap ring pliers kits as I recollect, even one
that can deal with both internal and external snap rings with a single tool;
it has interchangeable tips, too.

Some of the stuff from Harbor Freight is flimsy -- I had trouble with the
front wheel bearing snap rings.  The rings you mention sound small.  A
possible problem with the one-tool-that-does-all is it's bulky -- might be a
problem in tight quarters.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq