Mechanic Monday ..Tip of the week.. snap rings

Mechanic Monday.. Tip of the week
Snap rings and tires have something in common !!!!
What? you ask. Well here is the scoop. While the snap ring doesn't get the attention like your rear tire does there is something to consider about this stamped out piece of metal.
Snap rings have 2 flat sides. (earth shattering isn't it) Take a close look at the next snap ring that crosses your path. If it didn't come from a brand new stamping die you should see that one edge is sharper then the other. Now think about your rear tire for that hole shot. You want that fresh sharp knobby to get the best bite it can. The snap ring needs to get a good bite too. So let the sharp edge get the good bite into the engine case or shaft and help keep what ever it is retaining in the place it belongs. Being the most anal mechanic you will ever meet I almost never reuse snap rings. A lot of folks do but for a couple of $$ I sleep better at night with a new one.