912 circlips

I did it with needle nose but, I ended up buying the tool for future work. After I got it I could see why it’s so expensive. There’s quit a bit to it.

Ed

I'm working on renting or borrowing the tool, and I did order a 20mm circlip installation tool made by SPI that looks like it might work.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQJ9KKD  This is not something I'll be doing often enough to justify the $600+ cost of the Rotax tool, though I'll keep an eye out for a used one at a better price. 

I found a few videos (not Rotax related) with hints about installing these, so I'll probably give it another try today.  If it still doesn't look like I can do it without risk of damaging myself of piston, I'll wait for the proper tool.   

Thanks,

Rusty

I just use a small pair of needle nose pliers. Grab the clip on the back side and slide it off. Do it in reverse to put it back on. Maybe you guys are using too large needle nose pliers. Never had an issue in 20 years.

What's the "back side"?  Getting them out is easy by lifting out the tang end first.  Best I can tell, you would put the tang in first, but I've tried both ways.  I have another idea to try today after seeing some generic videos of installations, so we'll see how it goes. 

Rusty

The SPI tool I mentioned wasn't bad, but the slot for the tang was too small.  I enlarged that to 1/8" on the mill and it worked perfectly.  I can't imagine the Rotax tool working any better.  

While searching, I ran across this video, which shows an interesting looking tool they made. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdhGBCpuxM

Initial description of tool at 1:31

Demonstration at 5:50

I wonder if it would really work that easily?

Rusty