Topic: C-clip removal from master cylinder

[gto_ron]

I've tried everything imaginable to remove the c-clip from a master cylinder I'm rebuilding.  I have the correct tools but they can't reach down into the recess where the c-clip resides.  Is there a trick I don't know about?  I've been stuck on this for a week.  The MC is off a K5 750.

Any tips are appreciated....

[Davez134]

Do you have a pair of angled c-clip removal pliers? Thats what I use now and work great. Before I bought those, I took a cheap standard pair, ground them down with a dremel tool  near the pivot point where they start to flare out to give a little more reach. I know that may not make sense and can send some pictures when I get home from work in the morning. This was a pain for me as well the first time I tried it.

[MoMo]

I have the old special circlip pliers from Honda but here is a similar tool  http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB350-CB360-CB400T-CM400-CB550-CB750-MASTER-CLYINDER-CIRCLIP-PLIERS-/131029346149?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e81f52765&vxp=mtr

I put the mc in a vise, press down on the plunger with a large pin punch and use the cirplip pliers to remove the clip.  That is after cleaning out all the crud and rust.  Also, there is a spring clip that holds the rubber boot cover that may still be over the circlip...Larry

[dave500]

make sure you use compressed air and blow all the crap out of there first,you might need crc or similar aswell to unstick the clip,get it spinning around first if you can with a probe of sorts,then try and squeeze it and remove it,you have to have all the crud out first!if your tools cant reach theyre not correct,you might need to grind them to suit or find others?

[onepieceatatime]

I had to use a punch and hammer to break mine free from all of the rust and crud.

[BeSeeingYou]

The ones you find at hardware stores/auto parts stores usually don't have a deep enough reach.  I think mikesXS has them for about $12.00.
There is a wire clip that holds the boot on and often that gets left when you pull the old rubber boot off.  It sits right on top of the c clip and is very hard to see but not difficult to remove.  That will also stop the c clip from coming out.

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-49.html#products

[AJK]

Also here

http://www.cb750supply.com/products/2/chassis-brakes/47/front-master-cylinders-parts

at the bottom of the page.

[tomkimberly]

You need a pair of long reach circleclip pliers. Go to a industrial tool supply store as your local auto parts store will not have them.

Ttom

[martin99]

You can drill a small hole directly above where the clip sits. This will allow you to use a punch on the side of the clip to dislodge it. Never failed to get one out yet using this method.

[JBMorse]

I rebuilt my master cylinder a few years back using these pliers:


Even those were not quite long and skinny enough to reach the clip. I ended up compressing the piston with a clamp so it was out of the way as much as possible, then the fancy pliers were able to reach okay.

[70CB750]

I got mine out using lot of time and lot of strong language.  But you could get cheap long nose pliers -like HF - and grind them down to your purpose, it is cheaper than special tool.

[Timindecaturga]

There is tool at sears it looks like a awl about 6 in long but the tip looks like cork screw my car mechanic had one and got it out in 30 seconds
Putting the new one in you will need the pliers

[MCRider]

The cheaper right angle pliars may not have the curve built in. They are special for Master Cylinders. Piece of cake with the right tool. Recent picture of me pulling a clip.

[MCRider]

Clean the holes in the clip with WD-40 and a QTip. They must be clean.

[Relaxmax]

Hi Guys,

Someone in france, has repaired his 500 four's master cylindre, and he made a "tuto". Enjoy.

Martin (france)

http://www.cb500four.com/interactif/fofo_cb500four/viewtopic.php?t=12822&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=735
http://www.cb500four.com/interactif/fofo_cb500four/viewtopic.php?t=12822&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=795

[DH]

The trick for me was a combination of what's been mentioned by everyone else, but
I didn't use pliers. I cleaned the bore out first with WD 40 and compressed air
thoroughly. Once its clean, you can use a pick tool to deform the clip. Dislodge the
clip's eyelet from its groove first. Then lightly twist/bend it so there's something to grab hold of. Then use needle nose and a pull/twisting motion to fully dislodge and remove the clip.

[gto_ron]

Thanks guys,

  I knew I'd get the answer from you all.  I've been pulling out what little hair I have left.

thanks again and as soon as OH gets out of the deep freeze( if that ever happens) I'll be out riding.

Be safe and don't trust the other drivers...

[lucky]

Also here

http://www.cb750supply.com/products/2/chassis-brakes/47/front-master-cylinders-parts

at the bottom of the page.

What if I give you the actual URL to the exact page so you do not have to go on an Easter Egg Hunt?
http://www.cb750supply.com/parts/480/35-0009.jpg

[MCRider]

Lucky: yours only shows the picture. Better to just scroll down the main page and get all the details, don't you think? I do.

[Vicman]

The snap ring isn't even the fun part. Wait till you start trying to put the plunger assembly back together.

After enough "strong language" I turned up a bushing in the lathe to fit down the counterbore and everything just squished right in the hole with ease.

[74750k4]

It's a Royal PITA !

Mine was rusted in good. Finally decided to sacrifice the old circlip. Once I got an edge out far enough, with a small bit in the circlip hole,  I shoved in a small screwdriver in the space,
and bent the cr@p out of it. It did finally come out in bits n pieces. Have some circlip pliers now that might work next time, but probably not...

[Johnie]

I took a old Sears snap ring pliers and used my grinder on it so it would fit down there real nice. I think the key here is what a lot of guys mentioned...you need to clean the area real good from rust and crap so you can move it. I usually let mine soak overnight in PB Blaster then have at it. Let us know how you come out...

[Vicman]

I did just that. Soaked it with penetrating oil and used an awl to pop it out. When I installed the new one I used my normal snap ring pliers to get it started in the hole and just pushed it down till it snapped into the groove.