Snap Ring on Front Spindle, '88 4WD

[HarleyJohn]

I'm in the process of replacing the front wheel bearings on my '88 Ranger 4WD and I can't figure out how to remove the snap ring. The snap ring wraps about 210 degrees around the spindle, but has no holes for snap ring plies to expand it. It is identical to the snap ring pictured on page 1-31, picture 29.9 in the Haynes service manual. The instructions say "Using snap ring pliers, carefully expand the snap-ring just enough to remove it from the spindle shaft." However, all my snap ring pliers have the pins to insert into the holes on a snap ring. What type of snap ring pliers do I need to remove this type of snap ring?

Thanks,

John

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I use needle nose pliers or two screwdrivers. Set the points on the edge of the ring and a light tap with a hammer will dislodge it enough to get a flat screwdriver under the opposite edge to finish popping it off. Keep your hand or a rag surrounding the area as you don't want it to fly off into some dark third dimension under the built in counter top.

 

[HarleyJohn]

Yep, thanks, it actually was just that easy.

These guys show how it is done;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSp4jD1_lng

What was flumuxing me was that the Haynes manual specifically said to use snap ring pliers, which don't work on this snap ring.

.