I have a 2004 SD and I broke a set of craftsman 8" snap ring pliers on the stub axle snap ring. I need to know how big and what brand you guys have used on that snap ring. I would like to buy the tool once and be done with it. This is a great website for information. Thanks

 

On the little snap ring inside the hub? I have a set of Mac ones that I use, but there shouldn't be anything that substantial about removing it.

 

Yes its the little snap ring inside front hub on the end of the stub axle. The craftsman pliers bit the dust so I know they have to be heavier than that pair. I will have to see if I can find a pair in the Mac brand. Thanks.

 

I would just make sure that the point is strong enough to withstand the force required to pry the ring open to get it around the axle splines. I'm a Craftsman guy, but I thing I used a Snap-on or Matco set of pliers on it that I borrowed.

 

As with any tool you want to last a lifetime (without needing to use a warranty) you'll have to shell out some money. Aldridgec mentioned MAC, which is a great tool brand. You might also want to look at a Snap-On or a Cornwell pair on ebay. Any one of those 3 should work for the rest of your life.

 

What looks to be the heaviest set I've found so far are the OTC4513. Description says for heavy equipment use. I'll check out snap on and cornwell. Thank

 

If you only want to buy one pair, I would look into buying a pair that is a little longer than most.... it wont hurt to have any if you buy a newer truck you'll need the length.

 

I have 4 average size pair but that is a beefy snap ring on the end of that axle. The craftsman I broke had 8" handles so I know to go bigger than that, maybe 16".

 

I bought snap on snap ring pliers, they are adjustable for inside/outside ring. They are very beefy, around 30 bucks. They dwarf the craftsman ones that I have, but are still a nice manageable size, and way better made. If you break them, your doing something way wrong. SRPC 9000A is the model #... you can buy them on snap on.com Just make sure the tips aren't to big.

JD

 

I bought snap on snap ring pliers, they are adjustable for inside/outside ring. They are very beefy, around 30 bucks. They dwarf the craftsman ones that I have, but are still a nice manageable size, and way better made. If you break them, your doing something way wrong. SRPC 9000A is the model #... you can buy them on snap on.com Just make sure the tips aren't to big.

JD

 

Thanks all you guys for your input. I just ordered the SRPC9000A from snapon.com. RIF350guy said they were pretty strong so I will give them a shot.

 

I bought a $4 pair of 7" ones made in China from eBay (free shipping) and did both sides off and on. I think you had a bad plier.

 

Channel Lock also makes a really nice one as well. I bought one after fighting for years with my cheapo one. That cheapo one however did make it throught taking out the snap rings on the axles. Twice.

 

can you spin the snap ring in the groove?

If the answer is no, give it a few taps with a brass punch and a heavy hammer to free it up.

If there is extra pressure on the snap ring for some reason, it'll take a lot more force to pop out of the groove. It should be a rather painless removal.

 

I was thinking about that last night TexasRebel. Maybe the axle had the snap ring bound up, or corrosion had the snap ring stuck to the axle. Next time I will hit it with WD40 and pry the axle out from behind to give the snap ring some play, then make sure I can spin it in the groove before trying to take it off. Thanks again