Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

piston problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 11:21 AM
  #1  
bubba 40's Avatar
bubba 40
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Default piston problem

Hi I am new to the forum I just got my first shovel cant get the lock ring out the piston to get the piston off the rod has circle type ring whats the trick to getting these suckers out any help is thankful
 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 12:21 PM
  #2  
FilthyLucre's Avatar
FilthyLucre
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Default

It sounds like you have a spiral lock ring, hard to get in, hard to get out. They, believe it or not, are the best type to use. They very rarely fail. To get it out, look for the end of the spiral. Take a dental tool or ice pick and pry up the end until you can grab it with a pair of fine needle nose pliers. You then can pull the thing up and out, basically destroying it as you remove it. Remember never reuse any type of wrist pin keeper.
 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 12:52 PM
  #3  
prodrag1320's Avatar
prodrag1320
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
Default

if they are spiral locks,do what he said,but when you get enough of it out to grab with needle nose,bend it,then it wont keep snapping back into groove.opon installation,if your pistons come with internal snap rings,DONT USE THEM!!they suck and will come back out 50% of the time,get another set of spiral locks.theres a trick to getting them back in easy,if your gunna use them,post and ill let you know how to get them in(dont feel like typing if i dont have too)
 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2010 | 12:56 PM
  #4  
FLYING's Avatar
FLYING
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
Default

I use two small pointed picks to get in and spin /pry out.I get them out and replace with new ones a I destroy the old ones.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hinzy
Exhaust System Topics
2
Sep 20, 2014 02:48 PM
KDUBYA
Engine Mechanical Topics
5
Apr 20, 2014 10:21 AM
atrain68
Touring Models
42
Feb 26, 2011 08:09 AM
sullylang
Ironhead
2
Jun 17, 2008 08:58 PM
EVOrider
EVO
10
Nov 3, 2007 11:31 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE