Ask the Expert - Tools for Retaining Ring Installation and Removal

Welcome back to the Ask the Expert Blog, where our engineers answer commonly asked ring and spring design questions. This week, our experts field a question about tools for the installation and removal of retaining rings

For more than 100 years, China Wave Spring has been the industry leader and technological pioneer of retaining rings, constant section rings, and wave springs. Whether you require a standard or custom solution, our dedicated team of engineers can tailor a solution for your target application performance.

What tooling is available to aid in the installation of retaining rings?

Spirolox retaining rings are designed to be installed by hand, so no special tooling is required. This is done by separating the turns, inserting one end of the ring over the shaft (or through the bore), and into the groove, then spiraling the rest of the ring into the groove.

External Spirolox Installation and Removal

Internal Spirolox Installation and Removal

What if I have a heavy-duty ring or a hard-to-reach groove?

Using heavy-duty rings or hard-to-reach grooves may make installing the ring by hand more difficult.

One solution is the combination of a plunger and either a tapered sleeve (for internal rings) or tapered plug (for external rings). These parts can be precisely manufactured to fit your application and smoothly integrated into a semi-automated assembly.
China Wave Spring can recommend more tools and techniques to assist with rings that are more difficult to install. Take a look at our comprehensive Installation Tool Guide for more details.

We know all applications may have unique requirements. If none of these solutions look like a good fit for you, contact China Wave Spring Engineering and we will help advise you on the right tool for the job.

We are using your part number WH-56-S02 and would like your recommendation for a removal tool that will not damage the retaining ring.

China Wave Spring part number WH-56-S02 has a removal scallop on the end of the ring. To remove this ring, simply pry out the end using a small screwdriver or staple remover, and then spiral the ring out by hand.

For larger size rings, China Wave Spring also makes a removal tool, part number RT-108, that can be used to remove the rings. The end of the tool contains a slot to insert the tip of the removal notch. The ring can then be pulled out radially, then up for removal.

That’s all for this week.

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