External Retaining Ring

External retaining rings secure components on a shaft with dependable axial holding power and a clean, low-profile fit. Our rings are engineered for precision grooves and consistent spring tension, so assemblies stay tight under vibration, load and temperature swings. Choose our solutions to simplify builds, shorten install times and elevate reliability across your line.

Efficient Retention for Shafts and Assemblies

Our external retaining rings—often called external circlips—seat in a shaft groove to prevent bearings, gears, spacers and pulleys from drifting out of position. The result is a compact, serviceable retention method that replaces bulky collars and threaded hardware while maintaining easy access for maintenance. 

Built from high-grade spring steel with controlled hardness and elastic recovery, our external circlips deliver repeatable clamp force without deforming the groove or fretting the shaft. Edge quality and burr control help the ring seat square, reduce wear on mating parts and minimize micro-movement that can lead to noise or premature failure. Optional coatings and stainless variants support corrosion resistance in harsh or outdoor environments.

If your project calls for complementary retention options, our Internal Retaining Rings protect bore-side assemblies with the same precision, while our Circlip Benzing Type and Circlip Seeger Type variants give you alternative profiles and installation preferences for specialized applications.

DIN 471 External Retaining Rings

Our DIN 471-compliant rings follow the industry’s benchmark standard for shaft retention, ensuring dimensional consistency from prototype to production. The distinctive lug design allows positive engagement with circlip pliers, making installation and removal fast, accurate and safe—even in tight envelopes. By retaining components axially without adding width to the assembly, DIN 471 rings keep your package size compact while preserving serviceability.

Fit, Materials, and Performance

We control ring thickness, free diameter and gap geometry to achieve a confident snap-in fit that resists axial shock and vibration. Carbon spring steel provides the backbone for strength and elasticity, while available stainless options support moisture-rich or chemically aggressive environments. Surface finishes are selected to balance corrosion protection with smooth handling, so operators can move quickly on the line without compromising part integrity.

Installation and Service

Correct groove dimensions and clean edges are the foundation of reliable performance. With the proper pliers engaged on the lugs, the ring expands uniformly, slides over the shaft and seats with a crisp snap into the groove; removal is just as straightforward when service is required. This predictable, tool-assisted process reduces training time, limits rework and protects both the shaft and the ring from damage during maintenance.

FAQs

What is an external retaining ring?

An external retaining ring is a spring-steel ring that expands over a shaft and seats in a machined groove, creating a shoulder that prevents adjacent components from moving axially. It delivers secure retention with minimal added weight or width and enables quick service when assemblies need to be disassembled.

What is the difference between internal and external retaining rings?

External retaining rings fit on shafts and expand to install, while internal retaining rings fit into bores and compress to install. Both serve the same purpose—axial retention—but are chosen based on whether the groove is on a shaft (external) or inside a housing or bore (internal).

What is the function of a retaining ring?

A retaining ring’s function is to hold components in place along an axis by creating a removable shoulder in a groove. This prevents bearings, gears, seals or spacers from drifting, maintaining alignment, reducing noise and wear, and preserving overall system reliability.

How to install an external retaining ring?

Use circlip pliers to engage the ring lugs, expand the ring just enough to clear the shaft, and slide it to the target groove. Release tension once the ring aligns with the groove so it snaps fully home; verify full seating around the circumference to ensure proper retention before returning the assembly to service.