Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
Perhaps the wrist pin is getting hot enough to remove the temper from the clip? My experience with those clips is once snapped into the groove they are there for good unless one has the correct removal tool. Maybe someone on the assembly line got lazy and found a shortcut to install the clips that is damaging the groove?
If it was getting that hot, the engine would seize anyway.
Circlip pliers are the only way to remove and install small circlips without damaging something. I doubt they would be taking short cuts.