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Installation and Maintenance for Retaining Rings

Explore types of industrial retaining ring, installation options and assistance tools

By Gail L. Perry, Freelance Writer / MSW Life Coach
There are two main U.S. manufacturers of industrial retaining rings, Rotor Clip and Truarc. Others make similar styles of retaining rings. The companies use stainless steel, copper, or any other "red" metal wire to form these flat-shaped rings. These rings help maintain equipment in a number of applications, and they are fragile and easily damaged. Maintenance usually consists of replacing the ring.

You find retaining rings used in applications ranging from jump rope handles to engines and escalators. Because of the variety of machinery in which they work, there are many options when choosing a retaining ring. Pay attention to instructions regarding installation and maintenance for retaining rings, and keep the following in mind:

1. Use manuals for installation and removal of retaining rings.

2. Check types of tools available for retaining ring work.

3. See examples of installing and removing different retaining rings.

 

Install or remove an internal retaining ring or an external retaining ring

Installation of retaining rings requires knowledge of your equipment's retaining ring needs. Once you locate the retaining ring necessary for the job, follow instructions that came with the machinery. These small pieces of equipment make a big difference when installed correctly. Because of the number of different rings, specific installation instructions differ.
Try: American Ring and Tool provides an explanation of retaining rings with general installation information. Smalley Steel Ring offers a manual with general retaining ring installation and removal instructions.

Examine tool options for maintaining, installing and removing retaining rings

Retaining rings are more a maintenance part for other equipment, so maintenance for retaining rings may involve a periodic lube with cleaning. A retaining ring manufacturer has "maintenance kits," but they are simply organized kits with a variety of rings and tools. These kits have retaining ring pliers or other relevant tools to help replace, install or manage retaining rings in your equipment. Get an understanding of the types of tools available for working with retaining rings and choose what works for your business.
Try: Thread Rite provides a brief overview of retaining ring installation tools. Rotor Clip displays different installation tools on their site. S & M Retaining Rings has a variety of automatic tools to help with retaining rings. Daemar stocks several types of retaining ring kits to reduce your costs.

View video examples of installing and removing various retaining rings

Due to the wide variety of machinery that uses retaining rings, there is an assortment of types of retaining rings such as a spiral retaining ring, spring retaining ring, snap rings and more. You find them on household equipment, automotive parts, toys and more. If you have difficulty understanding how to install or remove your rings, contact the equipment company or industrial retaining ring company.
Try: For a video view of a mechanic replacing snap rings on a truck ball joint, see You Tube. See how to remove and refit a washing machine retaining wing on Google Video.

 

  • Ask your retaining ring supplier for a self-designed retaining ring, if the standard rings do not work for your equipment or project.

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