New Problem

[Schweisshund]

I started to dismantle my rear brake master cylinder (which hasn't been touched in over a decade) and it became obvious that the springs were broken inside. So I go to remove the snap ring with a pair of snap ring pliers and it won't budge. I soaked it in PB blaster overnight - and it still wouldn't budge. I took it to a firearms dealer (someone whom I am an aquaintance of) and he used the specialty tools to dismantle firearms to try to get this snap ring off for me. Instead, he broke both eyes completely off the snap ring (tried to hammer it out with a nail set on his table vise).

Now I am stuck with a snap ring (keep in mind its rusted to the groove) and have no earthly clue as to how to get it out. Any suggestions?

[Guest]

A sharp punch or grind it out with a dremel.

[Nessism]

Buy a new used one. About $24 on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-SU...spagenameZWD1V

[Schweisshund]

Bought it :-D

Even though its cheaper than a dremel - I will eventually need to get a dremel anyway.

Can you regroove stripped out heads on screws with a dremel (not threads). I mean - if its a jet screw that is stripped can your regroove using a dremel?

[Nessism]

If you strip out a phillips head screw you can use a cut off wheel in a dremel and cut a slot cross-wise on the head so you can get a blade screwdriver on it. Works well in a pinch.

[SPARKSS]

When I encounter a stubborn internal snap ring like that, especially in an aluminum cylinder, I take a sharp object and clean as much corrosion as possible blowing it out and then of course put the penetrating fluid to it (kerosene or diesel is great for this by the way). Instert a pin punch or small straight pin into one eye and gently bounce it with a hammer to start it springing inward......now the other. Most times this will loosen the snap ring (apply more fluid as needed). If the ring breaks, as yours did......try with a pick to get under the end and work it up......failing that try using a small cold chisel or pin punch as near as you can against the broken end to try to move it around the groove (to loosen). Another tip is to drill a small (1/16" etc) hole from the OUTSIDE into the ring groove so that when a pin is pushed in it will contact the ring....tap a pin in to loosen the ring (best done nearer the open end of the snap ring).

My .02 worth ......I've removed a pile of 'em and haven't had to grind one out yet (knocking on wood here!).

[Schweisshund]

Thanks guys

My tool collection\library keeps getting bigger :-D Thanks for the suggestions. I am feeling flustered at the moment and gonna watch extreme home makeover.