Snap Ring pliers for Rockshox

I bought a set of these (knowing they'd be garbage): https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-circlip-pliers-set-4-pieces/802yc

They did not disappoint (i.e. they are garbage), but they sort of worked. Not sure about sizing, I found the 90 degree ones best for removing the circlip on my SIDs.

I've since binned them because they're so sh*t, but at least I got an idea of what shape I preferred to do the job.

A very small flat head screwdriver and a pick did the job on my lyrics

I bought a selection pack of snap ring pliers. They were cheap and get used about once every 6 months. They have survived and it's been handy have internal and external for various ( circlip) jobs

Posted by: chrismac

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A very small flat head screwdriver and a pick did the job on my lyrics

Never far off an accidental scratch with that method, it's fine until it isn't

I went a big extravagant with these, they're ideal for Rock Shox. I had a cheap set with a load of interchangeable heads before, they were awful, one of those tools that you get frustrated with and chuck in the bin. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002YYM6W?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Got some cheap shit ones off eBay, they're OK for very occasional use.

I have a version of the cheap ones with the interchangeable heads. They're not great but as all they get used for is Rockshox fork serving once in a blue moon they're fine.

Interestingly changed the air shaft on some Fox 36s and their snap ring you have to use a small pick or screwdriver as they don't have the holes on the end for circlip pliers. Found that really annoying.

90degree ones.  45degree at a push.

Also, note the holes in a circlip are not straight through (cylindrical).  They are ever so slightly conical, so if you reassemble them with the wide end facing upwards, they are a git to remove, as the circlip pliers slip.

This is an N+1 thing, there's always a slightly different snapring that will demand a slightly different tool.

The cheap interchangable ones are actually pretty decent. These are generally the next step up
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305969375855?_skw=circlip+pliars&itmmeta=01K0W48B1WYGCDE9133QMB47DZ&hash=item473d322a6f:g:Je4AAOSwv1Jmwia-&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cx5NAnDYm50C%2BeCmAG%2Fy86yMyDaELvC%2FqTa9G6QIlf9X8RW3bARgKsJr0Q%2BcD5c%2Bhfa6iov3C0ibE%2F7uFzE4fd7M7H8DMcVaAfjJW4QMgwyIwOUQ0DWLhtmcReL%2FUBmjI8GJZJCvBHQnkOT8BSJH4TvnwEWPyxsrTuiCRcicdpJWrKrHwa%2Bsj%2BJs8XJv9MS0SqTX3R3I9dI65FtknCmjg9snJHpVlaeQxdgt97Ex6Aj8hOrrsGj0IGS0bGTqxn%2Fm8wxlyDI84zzVtpQbJS1U4fY0rbMNqbUUiLGxx7fFhSIQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMhrKhhIdm

Yep chinese tools so these are "US Pro" but you can get the exact same set for sometimes slightly less from other "brands"

Then the next step above that is these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180925912318?_skw=circlip+pliars&itmmeta=01K0W48B1ZM3ZETDK3AFW3X74H&hash=item2a200654fe:g:x60AAOxyn9BRbPYk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dusfr6%2BP9h5RfClNyVf05tTy0iuTWYgQbUNDCoABgBwJ0ygMPSCaXdWUzcgrEal4p4kkV1WmSBn4sLbhAk9Il8QfNzhPSJp4ZotPD8O5CD3RkIQG4Ps7Zwn5CwWwpbYQRam5ghlGNjVsFEyFh2Vc1k3mLD3zHCMUOu%2FxINhVlylItkLu%2FixqWKutYVRoMCmAzyaSkWXqVgEu4se8ghJW2VKlNQLvI7dt4PgiR2slEPpasGnOLeDK12UOnOo5Jv%2FFU%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4yyoYSHZg

These are hassly to use but will shift circlips that just will not be shifted otherwise.

Oh yeah the good thing with the cheap ones is they're cheap enough to modify- bending the pins or shaping them a little with a grinder can be super useful, just add the perfect little bit of grip or edge for your job.

Oh yeah the good thing with the cheap ones is they're cheap enough to modify- bending the pins or shaping them a little with a grinder can be super useful, just add the perfect little bit of grip or edge for your job

That.  And put a length of plastic pipe over the shaft to make it more difficult to scratch.

Posted by: jeffl

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I have a version of the cheap ones with the interchangeable heads. They're not great but as all they get used for is Rockshox fork serving once in a blue moon they're fine.

Interestingly changed the air shaft on some Fox 36s and their snap ring you have to use a small pick or screwdriver as they don't have the holes on the end for circlip pliers. Found that really annoying.

Rockshox have gone the same way as Fox (I think) with the most recent debonair+ spring. 

It's retained with a spiral retaining ring, which requires a pick or suitable tool to remove. Can be refitted with fingers alone though!

I had acheap and cheerful Halfords replaceable tipped set, I then replaced with some wiha pliers with smaller tips that worked atreat