Hi all,

I'm trying to replace the transmission side cover on my 2008 Street Glide with a wrinkle black cover. I drain the fluid, remove the cover, then I have to remove a retaining ring to take off the clutch cable. The service manual just says 'remove the retaining ring.' I cannot figure out how to remove this retaining ring. The service manual mentions retaining rings in several places - but I can't find a section that shows how to remove them.

I'm guessing this is an easy thing to do - but I'm stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know how to reinstall the retaining ring, that'd be great too.

Thank you,

Eric

 

Get a sturdy pair of internal cir-clip pliers,they make the job of removing and installing this heavy duty circlip a lot easier.I recently replaced my polished alum side cover with a chrome one.

 

Yeah, you need a pair of snap ring pliers...and a bit of patience. They are a chore to get out, and back in too.

 

I bought a set at O'Reilly with replaceable tips for different applications. I got the medium size just for the snap ring you are trying to remove, and it worked like a charm. No other way to do it, but if you have the right tool it's a snap (ring).

 

If'n ya aint got a large set of snap ring pliers, you can take a set of junk needle nose pliers and grind the tips down to fit in the holes to remove that bugger. Let me tell you, that is a PITA to remove without the proper snap ring pliers though. Also prior to removing look at the orientation of the opening in the retaining ring and see where it sits because sometimes you can get confused reading the manual as to the orientation on reinstall.

 

I just fought the same battle. My snap ring pliers were not quite big enough and kept slipping at the last second. If you look there are a couple spots you can get a screwdriver behind the snap ring and pry it in and up (out). That is how I got mine out in the end. Do be very careful though as you will be prying against the edge that gets the gasket. No prob if you aren't saving the cover.

 

In response to what Dawg said, I forgot to mention that my Harbor Freight Chinese made snap ring pliers didn't have a chance against that American made mother of all snap rings, and they now abide in Chinese snap ring plier heaven. Ya gots to have good American made pliers to handle this bad boy snap ring!

 

Yeah, you need a good pair of snap ring pliers...AND some safety glasses. I've seen those things launch when they come loose from the pliers and it can be nasty. BTW, HiTech makes a good set with replaceable tips and reversible pliers(for internal and external rings). Nothing like having the right tools....

 

Thanks everybody for the help - I'll get the right tool and try again.

 

yea and cant say enough about getting a good pair of snap ring pliers......Ask me how i know that.......You local auto parts store should have what you need or a sears....