The Ford Barn

rockfla · 02-09-2026, 10:47 AM

Any of you "transmission" guru's can suggest a "lock ring" pliers set brand??? I bought a set of them BUT the serrations don't grab the one side of the angled lock rings holding the front and rear bearings and slide off just before getting the ring out of the grove. Any suggestion greatly appreciated.

Tim Ayers · 02-09-2026, 11:02 AM

Robert,

This can be one of the most frustrating jobs. I use a set of Craftsman pliers (part # 47386) but I believe they are made for them by Lang Tools for this job.

That said, often these are not enough. I use these pliers to get the rings separated, and somewhat lifted and then insert a thin flat bladed screw driver under it and use that to get the ring pried out of the recess.

Highly advisable to get a set of Mac VP's modified lock rings which allow the plier to actually grab the ends.

Good luck. It can a be a very frustrating task getting these out on the first shot.

19Fordy · 02-09-2026, 11:53 AM

Rockfla; Do as Tim suggests. Then before reinstalling, grind one of the snap ring bevels
to create a bevel that the snap ring pliers will "catch". I think I saved a few of those snap rings so, if you need one let me know and I'll mail it to you - no charge.

rockfla · 02-09-2026, 11:57 AM

Thanks Tim & Jim, Mac doesn't currently show his pliers on the web store but I have a few other parts I need for my shifter SO I will ask him when I call in my order. Thanks again

Tim Ayers · 02-09-2026, 12:28 PM

Robert:

Do a little research regarding price. Lang makes high quality tools and you can get them fairly cheaply from on-line tool retailers.

Here is what I found with a quick Google search:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...xoC-9EQAvD_BwE

Doublepumper · 02-09-2026, 01:02 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Might try a dab of valve grinding compound on the plier tips. It will help keep them from slipping off. Good luck!

deuce_roadster · 02-09-2026, 01:33 PM

I pry one end of those bastards out with a small screwdriver and after removing, then grind the one end so you can use regular snap ring pliers.

rockfla · 02-09-2026, 01:36 PM

Doublepumper

I was thinking about sticking (or wrapping) a piece of machinist role (old croakus cloth) around the one side. Same principle as the clover compound.

35fordtn · 02-09-2026, 03:00 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Wilde-Tool-G4...s%2C178&sr=8-4

35fordtn · 02-09-2026, 03:01 PM

These are Wilde who makes the snap on version of the same. I own several of them wilde and snap on. compared to lisle, and others these are the best I have found. The job is still not a breeze, but again the best I have found. I am a tool hoarder. and have stumbled upon many unknown brands that make unusual useful tools.

rockfla · 02-09-2026, 03:03 PM

Thank you very much Michael, I have two different pair of them coming now!!!

Tim Ayers · 02-09-2026, 03:58 PM

Yes, thank you. These seem stouter than the CM's ones I have. Like you, now I need these. LOL

petehoovie · 02-09-2026, 04:01 PM

Wilde Lock Ring Plier Set 3pc Straight Right Angle and Thin Bent Curved 9" Length Made In USA ...

amazon.com

35fordtn · 02-11-2026, 03:30 PM

Just for the comparision to show much much the snap on name adds to the price.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Snap...g-Pliers/SRP2B

Tim Ayers · 02-11-2026, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

Just for the comparision to show much much the snap on name adds to the price.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Snap...g-Pliers/SRP2B

Jeez

The Art Doctor · 02-11-2026, 06:16 PM

I bought my Snap-on ones second hand, they still look like new and have excellent grip so must be made from good steel. I have ones from MAC tools that look good but do not actually hold well at all, thus the Snap-on pair. For $20 the Wilde ones are worth a shot but if they stink know the Snap-on wont let you down.

35fordtn · 02-11-2026, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Art Doctor

I bought my Snap-on ones second hand, they still look like new and have excellent grip so must be made from good steel. I have ones from MAC tools that look good but do not actually hold well at all, thus the Snap-on pair. For $20 the Wilde ones are worth a shot but if they stink know the Snap-on wont let you down.

I own the Snap on and the wilde ones. They are 100% identical in every way. I had the Mac, and Matco ring pliers as well both were identical to the Lisle pliers and bent after 50 uses or so.

Tim Ayers · 02-11-2026, 08:18 PM

I would not be surprised if the SO pliers are made be Wilde. Mostly sockets and wrenches are priority to SO and made in house. Other consumables are made by other companies for SO like beam torque wrenches, some pliers, etc.

project starter · 02-12-2026, 07:06 AM

I have always had better luck with my Snap on snap ring pliers. I own several different manufacturers but the Snap on ones are the best.

lonewolf · 02-15-2026, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project starter

I have always had better luck with my Snap on snap ring pliers. I own several different manufacturers but the Snap on ones are the best.

Snap on rebrands the wilde...so unless you have a so truck stopping by to replace/repair tools they are not worth their 100000000% markup.

02-09-2026, 10:47 AM	#1
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 5,164	What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Any of you "transmission" guru's can suggest a "lock ring" pliers set brand??? I bought a set of them BUT the serrations don't grab the one side of the angled lock rings holding the front and rear bearings and slide off just before getting the ring out of the grove. Any suggestion greatly appreciated.

02-09-2026, 11:02 AM	#2
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,227	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Robert, This can be one of the most frustrating jobs. I use a set of Craftsman pliers (part # 47386) but I believe they are made for them by Lang Tools for this job. That said, often these are not enough. I use these pliers to get the rings separated, and somewhat lifted and then insert a thin flat bladed screw driver under it and use that to get the ring pried out of the recess. Highly advisable to get a set of Mac VP's modified lock rings which allow the plier to actually grab the ends. Good luck. It can a be a very frustrating task getting these out on the first shot.

02-09-2026, 11:53 AM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,916	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Rockfla; Do as Tim suggests. Then before reinstalling, grind one of the snap ring bevels to create a bevel that the snap ring pliers will "catch". I think I saved a few of those snap rings so, if you need one let me know and I'll mail it to you - no charge.

02-09-2026, 11:57 AM	#4
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 5,164	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Thanks Tim & Jim, Mac doesn't currently show his pliers on the web store but I have a few other parts I need for my shifter SO I will ask him when I call in my order. Thanks again

02-09-2026, 12:28 PM	#5
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,227	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Robert: Do a little research regarding price. Lang makes high quality tools and you can get them fairly cheaply from on-line tool retailers. Here is what I found with a quick Google search: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...xoC-9EQAvD_BwE

02-09-2026, 01:02 PM	#6
Doublepumper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: WA-OR, USA Posts: 102	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Might try a dab of valve grinding compound on the plier tips. It will help keep them from slipping off. Good luck! __________________ Ever stop to think and forget to start again?

02-09-2026, 01:33 PM	#7
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 4,043	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers I pry one end of those bastards out with a small screwdriver and after removing, then grind the one end so you can use regular snap ring pliers.

02-09-2026, 01:36 PM	#8
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 5,164	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Doublepumper I was thinking about sticking (or wrapping) a piece of machinist role (old croakus cloth) around the one side. Same principle as the clover compound.

02-09-2026, 03:00 PM	#9
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,468	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers https://www.amazon.com/Wilde-Tool-G4...s%2C178&sr=8-4

02-09-2026, 03:01 PM	#10
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,468	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers These are Wilde who makes the snap on version of the same. I own several of them wilde and snap on. compared to lisle, and others these are the best I have found. The job is still not a breeze, but again the best I have found. I am a tool hoarder. and have stumbled upon many unknown brands that make unusual useful tools.

02-09-2026, 03:03 PM	#11
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 5,164	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Thank you very much Michael, I have two different pair of them coming now!!!

02-09-2026, 03:58 PM	#12
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,227	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Yes, thank you. These seem stouter than the CM's ones I have. Like you, now I need these. LOL Last edited by Tim Ayers; 02-09-2026 at 04:10 PM.

02-09-2026, 04:01 PM	#13
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 11,643	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Wilde Lock Ring Plier Set 3pc Straight Right Angle and Thin Bent Curved 9" Length Made In USA ... amazon.com __________________

02-11-2026, 03:30 PM	#14
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,468	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers Just for the comparision to show much much the snap on name adds to the price. https://shop.snapon.com/product/Snap...g-Pliers/SRP2B

02-11-2026, 06:16 PM	#16
The Art Doctor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 226	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers I bought my Snap-on ones second hand, they still look like new and have excellent grip so must be made from good steel. I have ones from MAC tools that look good but do not actually hold well at all, thus the Snap-on pair. For $20 the Wilde ones are worth a shot but if they stink know the Snap-on wont let you down.

02-11-2026, 08:18 PM	#18
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,227	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers I would not be surprised if the SO pliers are made be Wilde. Mostly sockets and wrenches are priority to SO and made in house. Other consumables are made by other companies for SO like beam torque wrenches, some pliers, etc.

02-12-2026, 07:06 AM	#19
project starter Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 9	Re: What brand recommendation for lock ring pliers I have always had better luck with my Snap on snap ring pliers. I own several different manufacturers but the Snap on ones are the best.