Snap Ring Pliers for Transmission Rebuild

**cubewhiz** · 07-30-2010, 04:38 PM

I am sick of dealing with snap rings with a crappy pair of pliers, so I want to buy a good pair. Could somebody recommend a good tip size for the rings that typically appear in a transmission? Snap-On sells pliers with .038", .047", and .070" tips. Also, would I be better off with the tips at an 18 degree angle or a 90 degree angle?

Thanks in advance.

**jbolty** · 07-30-2010, 04:48 PM

I got a pretty good set from Craftsman. I think it was about $40 and came with a few different tips.

might have been this one, but I'm pretty sure I paid more $$

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM217386062P?prdNo=93&blockNo=93&bl ockType=G93

offroad91yj · 07-30-2010, 04:50 PM

You might want to check out the Mac Tool truck.But they got the same snap rings .But might be cheaper.

MoparFreak69 · 07-30-2010, 05:52 PM

When I was an equipment tech I always found myself using snap ring plier and getting pissed at the cheapy changable tip ones. Fed up I picked up a set from the first tool truck that rolled into the yard and have never regretted the decision. It was a 12 piece set that included 4 sizes (dont know them off the top of my head) in 3 different angles (straight, 45 and 90). They are called quarter turn because you turn a knob in the middle that allows them to change from internal to external ring types. I spent about $250 on the set.

**cubewhiz** · 07-30-2010, 06:51 PM

Where do you find these tool trucks?

**Mean Max** · 07-30-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubewhiz

Where do you find these tool trucks?

When you work as a mechanic/tech, they come by your shop/dealership each week.

Max

**cubewhiz** · 07-30-2010, 07:04 PM

I found this set:

PRH406, Pliers Set, Retaining Ring, 6 pcs.

Would this be overkill or would it be a worthwhile investment? I don't mind spending the money if it would make my life easier...unless I would only need one or two pairs from the set. :/ My only experience with these was a $5 pair from Autozone that caused a lot of cursing and I wound up resorting to using screwdrivers, awls, and duckbilled pliers because the snap ring pliers sucked. I won't be rebuilding transmissions all the time, but when one goes, I'd like to be able to do the job myself. Labor costs around here for rebuilds can reach four digits!

**IronMaiden** · 07-30-2010, 07:08 PM

You don't need a set of snap ring pliers to rebuild our Jeep manual transmissions.

You need a heavy duty lock ring plier. I got mine at Sears (Craftsman) for less than $20.

Here is what you are looking for:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=lock+ring+pliers&x=0&y= 0&vName=&viewType=gal&viewItems=24

MoparFreak69 · 07-30-2010, 07:35 PM

Those are duckbills, he says he already has a set of those. While they are nice, they do not replace snap ring pliers. If he is rebuilding and automatic trans he needs snap ring pliers. There are probably 15-20 snap rings in various sizes in them. Manuals have a snap ring in them as well could benefit from the use of the right tool for the job (any job can for that matter). Having the right tool for the job saves time and frustration. Like they say, it takes money to make money.

**IronMaiden** · 07-30-2010, 07:44 PM

My bad. I just thought he was talking about manual trannys.

I did not see a single snap ring in my AX5 and I assumed the AX15's would not use them either.

**cubewhiz** · 07-30-2010, 07:50 PM

The tranny is actually a muncie sm465 manual from a 74 c20 pickup, to clarify. I haven't opened it yet so I'm not 100 percent sure what it has.

**ZeroGravity** · 07-30-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean Max

When you work as a mechanic/tech, they come by your shop/dealership each week.

Max

I've seen them driving around town and parked outside every other shop but never where I work.

I really hope they look like that on the inside.

**Wrangler11** · 07-30-2010, 07:57 PM

I have these http://www.sears.com:80/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947386000P?blockNo=1&blockType=G1& keyword=lock+ring+pliers&prdNo=1 and they work really well.

MoparFreak69 · 07-30-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMaiden

My bad. I just thought he was talking about manual trannys.

I did not see a single snap ring in my AX5 and I assumed the AX15's would not use them either.

Saw the edit which negates my statement. No biggie.

MoparFreak69 · 07-30-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity

I've seen them driving around town and parked outside every other shop but never where I work.

I really hope they look like that on the inside.

Oh they do look like that on the inside. As all of the $15k I have spent inside those things and they will all agree.

Oh....................... and did I mention the specials for the day?