Scott, that is the clip in question. In operation there is no side force that I can think of. 1. By side force I believe we are talking along the diameter.
2. That does not mean a greater side force than necessary was exerted during installation both by the original assembler and by me. 3. I don't have the proper pliers to install it. I used a pick, placing the first tang in the groove by hand and then picking the second tang into the groove. It seemed to seat well. I could be wrong.
4. Come to think of it, it wasn't hard to do at all using a pick. Maybe too easy. Wonder if the clip is smaller than necessary. Hmmmm!
1. Correct.
2. I wouldn't think so.
3. Well worth the investment.
4. You may be onto something there. Even the small ones are quite springy and are not very easy to install without the correct pliers. It's also easy to twist them by installing them that way Matt. That's getting back to my piston groove theory.
( I have installed/removed large circlips with screw drivers, punches and hammers when I didn't have the correct pliers available, but 5 or 6" diameter circlips around 3/16" thick are very tough indeed).
The measurement between the two points I have marked, should equal the diameter of the groove.