I would recommend against running full-circle snap rings on your front joints. I have found that they cause the cap to spin freely and "egg" out the ears of the shafts, ruining them. I ruined a set of shafts in a little over a year with full-circles.
What I'd recommend is to use the stock clips and tack weld them to the ear so they can't pop out. Also, you can put 4 small tack welds on top of the cap to the ear. These two steps will ensure that the cap does not spin, and that you won't spit out a clip. It will also save some time as you won't have to grind down the ears. To get the joint apart you'll have to grind off the tack welds; it's not too hard. I can usually have a welded joint apart in a few minutes.