The Nexus hub uses a snap ring like this


What type of pliers does this need?

None. Use, first and foremost, some eye and hand protection, plus a pick or screwdriver for removal.

The best way is to use a folded rag held against the end of the axle, both as hand protection, and to trap the ring when it jumps. If you don't trap them, these spring rings can jump high and fast. If you let it loose you'll be looking all over for it.

Are you saying I can do it without a pliers or that a corresponding pliers does not exist?

Yes, we have no bananas. (er, pliers).

There aren't pliers for this type of ring because there's nothing to grab. You pry them up at one end, then work the point of the tool around as if removing a tire. Warning they really jump, so it you need two hands, cut a disc out of cardboard, punch a hole and use a nut to hold it at the end o the axle as a jump stop.

I find the point of a small knife blade is a good "tool" to pry up one end of the ring and the blade then used to go around the circumference and complete removal. Chris King uses similar snap rings as seals in their headset bearings and this technique was suggested by them.

Another good source for tools for this kind of stuff is your dentist. Mine saves me his dull or chapped picks and scrapers. They're made of very tough grades of stainless and great for all sorts of intricate work.

Could one replace this type of ring with a regular snap-ring of appropriate diameter to facilitate working on in the future?

-j

Getting it back on is harder than removing it. I use 2 small screwdrivers like in the video.
Consider eye protection mandatory for snapring removal, esp if you use smaller, more brittle tools.
You can get snap-rings with 2 small holes that are compatible with snapring pliers. Will this kind of snapring work on Nexus/Alfine? Could reduce my swearword count.

It's been a while, but I think I used to pry one end out, then grab that end very firmly with pliers or Vise-Grips, then finish prying it out.

Dental pick or some of those cheap pointy awls (i think that is the word) you can pick up a $5 set at Harbor freight...I use them all the time to work on my Harley or Small engine.

Yes, I've done just that in some automotive applications. McMaster Carr has a decent selection: https://www.mcmaster.com/#retaining-rings/=oy1z6d

This site (https://www.rotorclip.com/) has every possible permutation imaginable, including the heavy duty metric versions that are impossible to find elsewhere. If you ask nicely they might even sample you a handful for free like they've done for me in the past, though I've also been a real customer through my day job which helps.

As stated above, you can use picks or straight screw drivers, but be careful. Here is the tool that you asked for.

The proper tool is a single flat bladed screwdriver. Here's my technique.


If I find myself struggling, it's always because I've grabbed one of my cheapo screwdrivers. another example of where quality tools make the difference.

These work for me

It's not that hard, folks. As shown, jam a small screwdriver in a notch and lever it over. On Sturmeys if you have the hub totally disassembled it's easy to get the lockring back on with a cone wrench placed flat on the lockring and then pushed onto the driver at an angle. For some folks apparently the main function of a special tool is just having another tool. Unless one is in the habit of changing cogs weekly it's hardly worth the bother to buy another tool that one has to store and find each time. Besides, much of the joy of being a mechanic is using the "wrong" tool for the job, or modifying something to do the job!

There's a culture here on BF which seems to believe that every job requires special tools. Old timers who have a few decent general purpose tools in their tool box, along with a few improvised handy items, think differently. Of course there are some jobs which can ONLY be done with a special tool, such as removing a freewheel, but many if not most others can be done just as well with normal stuff at hand. Of course there are tools that make it faster or easier, and which would pay for themselves in time saved for pros, but probably don't make as much sense for home mechanics.

Reminds me of the saying about Italian mechanics.

Everything is a hammer, except for the screwdriver. That's the chisel.

Yup, that's what I do. I'm glad I read this thread, because I hadn't thought about protection until now. Good idea.

Thank you and all the others.
Here's the corrected link https://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947386000P and in case the link dies, here's the description: Craftsman Lock Ring Pliers, Sears Item# 00947386000 | Model# 47386