I am trying to remove an e-clip from a postwar truck and am having a heck of a time. Is there a tool or trick to more easily accomplish this task.
Thanks,
Tom
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You're truly talking about an E-Clip and not the horseshoe clip, right?
I stick a small slot screwdriver in one of the recesses and just twist slowly and prepare to catch the clip before it flies away.
E-clip
For horseshoe clips, you just bend the ears out slightly and slide them off.
Horseshoe Clip
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My bad John, it is indeed a horseshoe clip that I have been mistakenly been calling an e-clip for years. Thanks for clarifying the difference. Tom
I use the same methods as you John.
Putting the E clip back on is a little more challenging . I use a small needle nose plier and grip it from the middle to start it and then grip the middle of the E clip on its side and over the pin and pop it on .🙂
Thanks guys for your suggestions ... I was able to get it off, did the coupler repair and reassembled the car. Tom
I use a pair of pliers to remove horseshoe clips. Common slip-joints will work but I like small duckbill pliers better and for the photo they cover less of the clip. I also use a small screwdriver for their removal but the pliers are easier at least for me. The pliers also work for some e-clips but as GRJohn suggests a screw driver is more likely to work on an e-clip. j
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I use the same technique as GRJ - small flat head screwdriver in the small open space on the closed end and slowly twist.
John
If memory serves me Horseshoe clips can be bent and snap after repeated removals. In the past I have bought the E-Clips @ Lowe's or HD as replacements. Now, I cannot remember what size to buy. Does anyone know?
Yes, horseshoe clips are not spring steel, they're just mild steel. They are frequently in need of replacement.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Yes, horseshoe clips are not spring steel, they're just mild steel. They are frequently in need of replacement.
Every automobile service manual specifies replacement of the horseshoe clip which holds the parking brake lever to the rearmost brake shoe.
On the other hand a model train truck is not subjected to that level of stress so if you don't have a replacement you can reuse it if it has only been opened and closed once or twice especially if you didn't mangle it. If both sides are not flat you can squeeze them flat with lineman's pliers before assembly.
John
