Retaining ring installation

These components reduce vibration, retain two parts of an assembly, and can withstand axial loading. They are used in assemblies as a cost-saving solution … to avoid machining a shoulder onto a mating component. Retaining rings exist in many forms including, stamped, spiral or Spirolox, constant section, hoop, e-clip, beveled, and wave-ring forms.

Stamped retaining rings are manufactured from sheet metal and feature twin lugs, sometimes called ears. These are the most cost-effective retaining rings when working with small diameters. However, the stamping process generates excess scrap causing them to be less cost effective when working with larger diameters. Stamped rings are installed with the help of a special tool — snap ring pliers. The pliers are inserted into the lugs to separate or compress the ends so the retaining ring can clear the shaft or bore.

Stamped rings can replace cotter pins and other traditional fasteners in an array of applications. Another version of stamped rings are e-clips. These rings are installed by pressing them radially onto a shaft groove. This can be a standard shaft or a stepped shaft. Similar to stamped rings, they become less cost effective as the required diameter increases in size.

E-clips are used when it is preferable not to slide a ring along the axis of a shaft. Radially Installed Retaining Rings. Identifying Retaining Rings. Retaining Ring Quick Reference. The Importance of Retaining Ring Grooves. Retaining Rings at G.

Huyett Types of Retaining Rings. What are the different types of retaining rings? Available in copper, spring steel, and stainless steel Also available in cadmium, passivated, phosphate, zinc clear, and zinc yellow finishes Quick, efficient installation with applicators and dispensers.

Crimp Rings Crimp rings, also called crimp circlips, are a "C" shaped wire formed retaining ring that is installed axially on a grooved shaft or rod. Offered in copper, carbon spring steel, and stainless steel materials Available in cadmium, phosphate, passivated, zinc clear, zinc phosphate, and zinc yellow finishes G. Available in copper and steel materials Can be installed against a retained part, nearly eliminating end play Works with applicators for efficient installation.

Various sizes of hog rings are available in carbon or stainless steel Optional galvanized or copper finishes available Useful in a wide variety of applications Back To Top. Made in beryllium copper, carbon spring steel, and stainless steel Offered in plain, cadmium, passivated, phosphate, zinc clear, and zinc yellow finishes Featured lug holes allow rings to be compressed and removed using snap ring pliers.

Available in copper, spring steel, and stainless steel Offered in passivated, cadmium, phosphate, and zinc yellow and clear finishes Clean and attractive appearance of interlocking rings is perfect for exposed applications. Lock Nuts Bearing locknuts, sometimes called shaft locknuts or bearing retaining nuts, are utilized to secure bearings onto a shaft and are designed to prevent the loosening of components due to vibration and rotation.

Available in stainless steel, alloy steel, and low carbon steel Offered in Metric and Inch sizes Commonly used in conjunction with lock washers and machine keys Back To Top. Lock Washers Lock washers are designed to reduce the loosening of bolts and screws from their mating assembly. Offered in alloy, carbon, and stainless steel Available in plain, zinc clear, and zinc yellow finishes External toothed washers are commonly used with Bearing Locknuts.

Made in carbon and stainless steel Available in plain, phosphate, and zinc yellow finishes Simple installation using standard plier, screwdriver, or an applicator. Made in the USA from carbon spring steel Offered in phosphate and zinc yellow finishes Simplify installation using an applicator or screwdriver Back To Top. Made in carbon spring steel with oil dip or phosphate finish Made in metric and inch sizes Suitable for grooved internal and external applications.

Round Wire Rings Round wire rings, or round section wire rings, are a split ring formed and cut from round spring wire.

Made in carbon, spring, and stainless steel Offered in plain or phosphate finishes A wide variety of gap ranges allow for axial and radial installation Back To Top.

Snap Rings Snap Rings, sometimes referred to as circlips or seeger rings, are a stamped tapered section retaining ring. Made from beryllium copper, carbon spring steel, and stainless steel material Offered in a variety of finishes including cadmium yellow dichromate, phosphate, and zinc Integrated lugs allow for installation using snap ring pliers Circular design provides maximum surface contact.

Offered in stainless steel, carbon spring, and Inconel materials Increasingly popular in large size and short run applications Internal, external, and tabbed spiral retaining rings available.

Split Rings A split ring is a metal, wire formed ring that consists of two complete turns of a helix pressed flat together. Available in spring tempered and stainless steel material Offered in zinc or nickel finishes Inside diameters 0. Square Wire Rings Square wire rings, or square wire retaining rings, are a split ring formed and cut from square spring wire.

Offered in bright steel material with a plain finish Universal application for a wide range of mediums Easy installation with hog ring pliers. Made from spring steel in zinc clear finish Heavy construction offers strong retention Easy installation with simple tools Back To Top. Ring Assortments Retaining ring assortments are part of G.

What is a retaining ring? What are the types of retaining rings? What are some common uses for retaining rings? What is the difference between external vs. How do you measure a retaining ring? Retaining rings are primarily measured by 3 criteria: Groove Size — The diameter, width, and depth of the groove the retaining ring will fit. Ring Diameter — The free diameter or diameter of the clip prior to installation. Internal retaining rings are measured by their outer diameter, and external rings are measured by their inner diameter.

Ring Thickness — Thickness should also be measured to ensure proper fitment in the intended groove. What's difference between a retaining ring vs snap ring vs circlip? How to remove a retaining ring without pliers: If retaining ring pliers are not readily available, a small pick or small slotted screwdriver can be used to remove retaining rings. Work the tip of the tool between the retaining ring and its mating component. Gently pry the retaining ring out of its groove, being careful not to mar any machined surfaces.

Retaining rings are often under pressure and may become a small projectile if not adequately secured during assembly. Next, while still seated in the applicator, position the open ends of the clip in the groove of the shaft and firmly press into place.

Inspect the clip to ensure it is seated evenly and securely in place. Back To Ring Types. Can you reuse crimp rings? How do I install and remove crimp rings? To install a crimp ring: Slide the uncrimped ring radially into the desired shaft groove.

Next, use the pliers to crimp the ring closed, bringing the open ends of the ring together. To remove a crimp ring, a standard screwdriver or pick will be needed. First, find the gap or opening of the crimp ring where the two ends of the ring are close together. Next, use your screwdriver, pick, or other flat tipped tool to spread the ends of the ring farther apart to a point that is wider than the diameter of the shaft it is installed on. Once the gap is to a sufficient width, push the ring out of the groove, away from the shaft.

This also requires the ring to be replaced with a new one after removal. Where can I buy crimp rings? Clip diameter — Ring size is determined by measuring the clip's free diameter, or the diameter of the clip prior to installation.

Internal retaining rings are measured by their outer diameter, while external rings are measured by their inner diameter. Clip thickness — Measurement of the clip's profile to ensure proper fitment in the intended groove. How to install grip rings Installing grip rings is a fairly simple process and can be done without any special tools.

What are some common use cases for hog rings? Can you reuse hog rings? What's the difference between hog rings and upholstery rings?

How to use hog ring pliers Hog ring pliers are a specialty tool designed to install hog ring staples. How to install and remove housing rings Housing rings , or HO rings, are axially installed in the grooves of housings or bores. To install HO rings: Insert the jaw tips of the retaining ring pliers into the lug holes of the ring.

Next, close the jaws together, decreasing the diameter of the ring slightly smaller than the housing it is being installed in. Once the ring is a small enough diameter, seat the ring into the groove of the housing and spread the jaws of the pliers apart. Check the circumference of the ring to ensure that it is seated securely and evenly in the groove.

Take the second half of the ring and position it on the shaft so that it begins to lock into its other half. The tension from being partially installed should allow the ring to stand on its own. To mate the retaining ring halves, hold a wooden block so that it makes contact with the half to be installed. Tap the block with a hammer to force the ring down into its other half.

Removing an interlocking ring from a shaft can be completed using simple hand tools. First, insert the end of a standard screwdriver or other similar flat tapered hand tool into the recess provided by the two locking halves.

Pry the overlapping end of one of the ring halves up and over its counterpart until it has cleared the locking tab. Once clear, the ring will be able to rock out and away from the shaft. What is the difference between a nut and a lock nut? When should you use a lock nut? Also known as Eaton- style, constant- section, and horseshoe snap rings. The arms slide along the handle and lock into place with thumb screws. Use these tools to install and remove rings inside a bore or around a shaft. For Retaining Ring Type.

For Rings that Fit OD. Grip Style. Handle Style. Tip Shape. Tip Type. Overall Length. Tip Diameter. Jaw Opening Style. Tip Angle. For Ring OD. When installing a retaining ring, you must first consider the application. Bore retaining rings are categorized as internal retaining rings since they are installed inside the bore.

Shaft retaining rings, however, fit within the external retaining rings category as they are installed on the outside of the shaft. There are two types of retaining ring installation methods, axial installation and radial installation.