E type locking ring

julichris · May 31, 2009

I need to replace a part of the parking brake on my NH TC45DA. As part of this I need to remove and reinstall an E Type locking ring (described in the NH parts catalog as Locking Ring #62 .480" Dia., E-Type, #2 in the attached parts diagram). I cannot actually see this ring until I partially dissassemble the brake mechanism, which I have not done yet - I am waiting for the part and while I wait I want to be able to use the tractor.

I am completely clueless about snap rings and locking rings. Does anyone have any advice on removing and reinstalling them? Do I pull the two halves of the ring apart and then pull it off the shaft? Do I need an E-ring pliers - see attached picture.

Thanks in advance.

DennisMI · May 31, 2009

You can use a small screw driver to pry out an E ring. There is a tab on the inside diameter opposite the opening that holds the E ring away from the shaft and reveals a small space to each side of the tab, you can put a small screw driver in that space and twist the screw driver. The E ring should snap off the shaft. You should cup your hand around the E ring to keep it from flying away when it releases from the shaft. You can replace the E ring by putting the opening of the E ring in the slot and using a set of slip joint plyers squeeze the E ring back around the shaft.

The E ring differs from a C ring in that the E ring when placed with the opening to your left has a tab on the inside that makes it look like an E. A C ring doesn't have the tab and is much more difficult to remove.

Snap rings are like C rings, except there are holes on each end at the opening to insert snap ring plyers. There are different sizes of snap rings and snap ring plyers. The plyers have interchangeable ends for different sizes of snap rings, and can be changed for internal or external snap rings.

There are other kinds of snap rings, but it won't help to cover them now.

With any snap ring it's also important to clean the groove, and remove any burrs with a file. I have seen the different snap rings wear the groove and widen the groove so the the part had to be replaced. In one case, when the part was antique, I brazed the groove closed and made a new groove for the snap ring.