16 replies to this topic

[croc7]

I’m about to replace both rear brake cylinders and dread the fight to install the circlip. What is the secret to installing that circlip?

[Spider]

Hey Jerry,

Merry Christmas mate. Honestly, I can't say I've ever had trouble doing them. I just use a small bladed screw driver, get one 'ear' on the end of the clip in place, it won't seat in the groove though as it'll be at too much of an angle, then using the screw driver, lever over the middle ear, then the last one, finally giving each ear a good pressing down to be sure they are all seated in the groove.

If you find doing it on the ground awkward, there's very little work involved to remove the backing plate off the Trailing Arm and doing them on the bench. If you do end up doing them that way, you could also pull the clevis pin for the handbrake lever, then build up the entire brake on the bench.

[croc7]

Hi Chris, thanks for the advice. I’ll give it a try.

Merry Christmas to you and best for the New Year. May the road rise up to meet you.

[floormanager]

There's a cunning trick with a pair of mole grips to hold the cylinder in while doing the circlip.  Let me see if I can find it.

[floormanager]

Tada

https://www.theminif...the-shifty-way/

 

[andyapanel]

There is a tool for it

I recommend the mole wrench technique that has been mentioned.

[nicklouse]

As Chris says. Never had an issue using a screwdriver.

[bpirie1000]

Make sure when your doing g it the wind is howling, your hands a freezing cold as well..

Canna make life easy for yourself...

Also recommend the vice grips way...

The satisfaction after will be worth it i promise....

[greenwheels]

There is a tool for it
 

It's tool 14 on the Mini Spares website

 

http://minispares.co...|Back to search

 

Edited by greenwheels, 26 December 2023 - 11:21 AM.

[stuart bowes]

or from ebay and save the carriage cost

 

https://www.ebay.co....:Bk9SR_yAsOaUYw

 

(i have no affiliation etc)

Edited by stuart bowes, 26 December 2023 - 01:54 PM.

[Steam]

Tou only need a screw driver to gently prise off the clip. And actually they re a c clip. To reinstall use pliers to press back onto spogot nd ensure it is seated prpoerly.

[coopertaz]

get the correct tool and it is a breeze, spent years filing leading edge and using pipe pliers but the tool makes it so much easier

Edited by coopertaz, 27 December 2023 - 10:09 AM.

[greenwheels]

or from ebay and save the carriage cost

 

https://www.ebay.co....:Bk9SR_yAsOaUYw

 

(i have no affiliation etc)

Good pictures of how to use it on that ebay site.

[Tones61]

And put the clip on the correct way around,
Or it’ll be loose

[Bobbins]

Which way round is the correct way? I’ve done both and never had one come loose but I’m sure there must be a right and wrong way!