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UT bearing circlip removal

ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
edited March 2012 in Workshop
In Ultra torque chainsets, the Drive side bearing is retained in place by a circlip... I have removed it a few times, but always with great difficulty, as I haven't found a tool for the job yet... normally I use two tiny flat screwdrivers and try to get some leverage to pull it with quite some struggling...
Is there some form of circlip pliers which are bang on for the job? Normal ones seem to be designed for circlips with holes...

Thanks
left the forum March 2023

Posts

  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    just hold and pull one end and then do the other.

    it is not like it is fragile.

    cpultra_191w.jpg
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Wirral_paulWirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    Needle nosed pliers to do as Nick suggests works for me
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    nicklouse wrote:
    just hold and pull one end and then do the other.

    it is not like it is fragile.

    cpultra_191w.jpg

    It's not that one... it's the one that retains the bearing, sitting on the UT axle
    left the forum March 2023
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    It's this one I mean

    ring.jpg
    left the forum March 2023
  • keef66keef66 Posts: 13,123
    See what you mean. I've never dealt with any circlips without the holes for the pliers.

    Crazy Italian engineering!
  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    as you do now. screwdrivers.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    nicklouse wrote:
    as you do now. screwdrivers.

    Yes, but when it sits in the groove, it's a hell of a job to pop it out... was wondering if there was a tool to make the job a 3 seconds rather than 5 minutes struggle
    left the forum March 2023
  • keef66keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Can you not still prise the ends apart with circlip pliers?? I have an adjustable pair that I feel would work in that situation.

    Is that what the bearings look like? No seal on the inside??
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    keef66 wrote:
    Can you not still prise the ends apart with circlip pliers?? I have an adjustable pair that I feel would work in that situation.

    Is that what the bearings look like? No seal on the inside??

    That is what I am wondering... I don't own a pair of plyers like that and don't want to waste money if they don't work... need someone with hands on experience...

    The picture is of bearings with Si3N4 balls, they don't really need seals and normally come without... the steel ones have seals, but they get rusty regardless
    left the forum March 2023
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    Nobody?

    Monty?
    left the forum March 2023
  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    nicklouse wrote:
    as you do now. screwdrivers.

    Yes, but when it sits in the groove, it's a hell of a job to pop it out... was wondering if there was a tool to make the job a 3 seconds rather than 5 minutes struggle
    You see the ends are tapered. They are like that to get a pick (screwdriver) in and lift it out and around.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    nicklouse wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    nicklouse wrote:
    as you do now. screwdrivers.

    Yes, but when it sits in the groove, it's a hell of a job to pop it out... was wondering if there was a tool to make the job a 3 seconds rather than 5 minutes struggle
    You see the ends are tapered. They are like that to get a pick (screwdriver) in and lift it out and around.

    that's what I currently do, but it's anything but easy... a hit and miss... need a dozen attempts before succeeding... how come Campagnolo and Park haven't come out with a 50 pounds tool to do this simple task?
    left the forum March 2023
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 27,896
    Got it!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ7VlQkCT9M

    they do use circlip pliers combined with a small flat screwdriver... censored !
    left the forum March 2023
  • keef66keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Spooky! That's what was happening in my mental picture of how my circlip pliers might work!
  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Never done the job personally, but as suggested, use a pair of external cir-clip pliers. I would buy a cheap set off ebay and grind the ends if necessary.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
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