Prop Adapter Snap Ring

[VictorBravo]

Can anyone tell me if the snap ring that is inside the tapered crankshaft is a special airplane-opnly item or if there is an industrial equivalent?

You guessed it, when I tried to remove the prop the worn out snap ring jumped out of the grooves. I am assuming a new, sharp, not-worn snap ring will do the trick.

I'm simply wondering if this snap ring was an industrial or automotive part used by Continental or Taylorcraft, or if it was custom made for this application.

Anyone that has anew one lying around is cheerfully urged to contact me

[3Dreaming]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

That is a common problem with trying to remove a prop hub. Make a little tool out of 4130 that will fit in the gap between the ends of the snap ring. Insert this before trying to remove the prop hub. It will keep the snap ring from being able to jump out of the groove. I keep one of these on the front of my toolbox at all times. Also sometimes you may need to leave some tension on the nut to give the hub time to break loose. Tom

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

It is part specific, not a hardware standard. Call the Luscombe Foundation, they have new ones.

[astjp2]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

Fresno has them also. Tim

[high time cub]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

http://www.vintageaircraft.org/featured/2005%20-%20Vol.%2033,%20No.%2003%20-%20Type%20Club%20Notes.pdf

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

And use the correct tool even on a new one to keep it from getting smaller. The hub is engine specific not Taylorcraft.

[Karl Rigdon]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

Bill,

It has been some time since I had this problem however I remember making something to push into the end gap of the snap ring to keep it from compressing and closing the gap thus holding it in the bottom of the grove.
It has been some time since I have been to the shakey side however I will call the next time I get to my brothers in the Sunland -Tunjunga area. I need to try the food at the cafe at Whiteman.
Also if you get the ring out you may be able to reverse the ring in case one side is deformed.

Karl

[jmvolpp]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

Thanks for posting the Vintage Aircraft article - I wish I had been aware of the proper procedure in March for 44305's annual inspection when the mechanic removed only the snap ring. I felt fortunate to intercede on behalf of the aircraft when the solution was going to involve a pry bar and hammer. Now, when time permits, the hub can be removed properly.

Mike V.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

After reading a reply about the Luscombe Foundation having the snap rings, I spoke to Doug Combs. Doug told me about the snap ring spreader tool (illustrated in the Vintage Airplane article) and I made one out of some scrap metal in the hangar. Worked like a charm... once I got the snap ring BACK into the grooves !

To get the snap ring back into the grooves is another matter entirely.

It took five or six tries, but a home made miniature piston ring installation type tool got it to work. What finally worked was using a Breeze type worm drive hose clamp, wrapped around an overlapping loop of thin metal, which compressed the snap ring enough to fit inside the grooves. The edge of the thin metal had to be inserted inside of the prop hub, so the snap ring could not expand before being driven into the hub. Believe me, this took at least five tries.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

Any swear words too ? The snap rings can be reused, I usually do a little bright work on them to remove any nicks or smotthed off stuff, reversing it will help too!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Prop Adapter Snap Ring

After reading a reply about the Luscombe Foundation having the snap rings, I spoke to Doug Combs. Doug told me about the snap ring spreader tool (illustrated in the Vintage Airplane article) and I made one out of some scrap metal in the hangar. Worked like a charm... once I got the snap ring BACK into the grooves !

To get the snap ring back into the grooves is another matter entirely.

It took five or six tries, but a home made miniature piston ring installation type tool got it to work. What finally worked was using a Breeze type worm drive hose clamp, wrapped around an overlapping loop of thin metal, which compressed the snap ring enough to fit inside the grooves. The edge of the thin metal had to be inserted inside of the prop hub, so the snap ring could not expand before being driven into the hub. Believe me, this took at least five tries.

I made a collar tool with set screws to remove the snap ring. I also use a hose clamp to reinstall them.

Mike