Changing starter pinion circlip help, please...

[bevans6]

OK, this is probably embarrassing but... I changed the pinion in a Hitachi/Tilton style starter on the weekend. The pinion is retained in the assembly by a round wire circlip. I found it exceeding difficult to get the circlip out of the groove. It had flat ends with no undercut to get a probe under, no holes for circlip pliers, and was a quite tight fit around the shaft. I ended up bleeding all over the place and hitting it with various things.

Is there an approved, professional way or tool to remove and replace these little round wire circlips?

Brian

[Racerrick]

I use a cresent wrench in a vise, tighten the wrench to the shaft and tap the end of the starter shaft. The ring will climb the groove and slide up the shaft.