Good Snap Ring Plier Set??
 

I recently greased up the needle bearings on the front axle of 2002 F-350 4X4. The job took me at least 2.5 hours longer than it should have because I did not have a heavy duty pair of snap ring pliers, I destroyed the snap rings, had to drive to Manasas to buy new ones, etc.

I know I need a good/strong 90 degree snap ring pliers to change the thermostate in my 944, so I want to get a good snap ring plier set so I don't have to go through this again.

I'm looking for a good kit that has everything I could ever need. I haven't found a kit that has a really good heavy duty snap ring kit that has both straight and 90 degree pliers.

Here is a decent kit of straight heavy duty pliers, but no angled pliers.
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc4513.html
http://www.ntxtools.com/Merchant/gra...1/otc-4513.gif

Snap-On tools are twice as expensive as I want to go. I have no problem paying a couple of hundred dollars, if the kit is totally complete. Anyone have any experience or recommendations?

I just bought a similar set - OTC 4512:

Attachment 14334

I got these instead of the set you mention because the tips were fixed. Yeah the replaceable tips are nice if you bung one up, but I find more often than not they slip in the pliers, causing more problems. Whether this was the right choice or not remains to be seen, but so far so good. I have several OTC tools and have been happy with them all.

I get a lot of this stuff from a guy on eBay called USA Tool Warehouse. Good prices and shipping isn't too bad, esp if you get two or three things.

Do you think they're heavy duty enough? I really want something that is not going to give out. I have some OTC items, and like them very much.

I agree with you about the removable tip. The smaller cheaper tips strip, break, and cause a lot of problems.
So, maybe I'll stick with the fixed tips.

Sears has a decent set of craftsman stuff. I used cheapo harbor freight stuff for the 924 thermostat. Have fun doing that with the water pump in the car. A small mirror (like a dentists mirror) will make it a little easier because you can actually see what youre doing.

This is exactly what I was thinking when I read that.

Thanks for the tips on the sets. I have an adjustble pin pair as well. I do find it to be 5 min of set up for .05sec of work. Jazz, report back on your experience.

Stringing a wire through one or both of the eyes to make handles can sometimes work in a pinch. i have a inside / outside set that has worked well for years but will not do the real big ones. I cheat the big ones by pulling them open with stainless safety wire. Helps to keep them around when they want to fly too.

Thanks all. Went with the OTC 4512 from Amazon.com for $38.04, shipping included.

Has all 4 size tips. Has straight and 90degrees. I like the case to keep them organized. Good price.

I like the safety wire trick. I wish I would have known that yesterday.

At least the front bearings on my truck are all nice and happy and greasy!