That Evil C-clip

[Rusty-Gunn]

I am changing out the brake bands on our T20 and want to trade out the shaft bearings (on the sprockets).
According to Brandon (Max Rules 99) these bearings are held in by a C-clip, of which are hard to get out (evil c-clips, he calls them).
I know these clips are supposed to have holes at the ends but I don't see any holes. What can I do? What should I do?

BTW my C-clip pliars won't fit in there down enough (too fat it seems). I'll buy a thin set tomorrow. Thanks.
Back to that evil c-clip...

[Rusty-Gunn]

I think the clip can be seen in this picture. The ends of the clip, where the holes are, is about eleven o'clock in the pic.
Is this correct?
Where are the holes for the pliars?
How do I get this out?
I hate evil C-clips.

Thank you.

[thebuggyman1]

I've never had much issue with the clips. Other than for cleaning, you only need to remove the bearings when they are worn out......and they should last forever if the trans has not been abused/neglected (normal trail type use with fluid changes). To remove the clips I use a pair of long handled needle nose pliers with modified tips. Sometimes you just have to make your own tools.....like for replacing the drums in the case half.

OK, I just reread your post........Are you trying to get the stub shaft out? There are usually no holes on those c clips. Use a pair of duck billed pliers.....that shaft must come out to replace the seal.

[dirtdobber]

Hopefully your C clip has an angle cut into each of its ends. If so, you can catch the tip of a screwdriver in the angle and spring one end of the clip out of the slot. At the same time, try to slide something thin (like a pick point or bent screwdriver tip) under the sprung side of the clip and pull it out of the slot. Work your way around the clip until it is out of its slot and you are good to go.

you can also try to catch the tips of the clip with a pair of piston ring expansion pliers if they will even fit in the hole.

Good luck.

Here's a link to the type of pliers I'm talking about: https://www.expandingpliers.com/
I've used them for piston rings, but if you google piston ring pliers you get something that won't work for your application.

[JoeMeg]

Yep, them one's can be a bugger. I have a pair of what look to be duckbill pliers but they open when squeezed as opposed to closing. They're for this purpose (in general, not just T-20 specific). I like the other members suggestions also. Somethings just tend to test our patients, lol.

[dave phelps]

I have the same duckbill pliers and once I get them out they never go back in. I use snap rings instead, much easier!!
Good luck

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks everyone. I do appreciate the help. I had figured to trade out the shaft bearings while I got the case open.
I have changed fbe ATF regularly, and we don't abuse the machine. The bearing shaft seems to have a tiny bit of play.
I'll give it a serious effort to remove the clip today. If not then it can stay in until it goes bad or the next band exchange.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
I'll report my efforts on this later.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I got out that evil clip! Frustrating, to say the least. It's in there with little wiggle room to move the tools about trying to extract that thing.
I modified a skinny needle-nosed pliars by squaring the tip (their rounded on the outside), then grinding the tip a a slight angle. It worked very well, grabbing and expanding the clip tips (which were angled).
I also modified a spare large flat screw driver, grindi g a smaller tip on it, to help dig out the vlip. Lastly, I modified a spare tire plug-patch tool into a "L" shape at the tip, again, to help dig out the clip.
Using all three, one after the other, I got that evil clip out. I tossed it in the garbage, never to be evil again!

BTW the bearing is very tight. I am going to reuse it. I figure to trade out the seal though.
Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I decided to install a new bearing after I had the seal out. Easy enough.
Now I need to buy a thinner C-clip pliars, mine are too fat to fit down in there to install the new C-clip. I figure to progress easy enough from here. Thanks guys. Off to the store.

[dirtdobber]

Great. Glad you got it!

[Rusty-Gunn]

Update... I managed to complete the right half, installing a new shaft bearing and seal, new planetary bearings with new thrust washers, and new brake bands and o-rings.
Putting "the guts" back in was frustrating. The drums/gears kept falling out of place every time I tried to set them in. After about 15 tries I got it all in correctly.
Now, the left half tomorrow.
Thanks for the help.

[JoeMeg]

[QUOTE=Rusty-Gunn;223586]
Now I need to buy a thinner C-clip pliars, mine are too fat to fit down in there to install the new C-clip.

Yep. I have a pair that are used only for this purpose, there's very little space as you mention. I have yet to disassemble one with the "Eaton" style clips, only the c-clips with the ears. The reason I mentioned the "reverse" duckbill pliers in a previous post is just because that's the correct (one of em anyhow) tool for that application. Glad to hear your making progress!

[Rusty-Gunn]

Joe.... so those duckbill reverse pliars are the ones to have for these evil clips? These are called Eaton clips?
Would these pliars need modifying to use in this specific application?
Thanks. Looks like one of them backward pliars is on my list.

BTW how does one remove the hidden needle bearing in the hollow left stub shaft?

[Rusty-Gunn]

Well, I managed to complete the left half. I'll put the halves together on Monday.
Thanks to a lot of people here. You guys rock!