Circlip or C-clip?

[Tim+]

Probably a waste of time but here is the mech of a pop-up bath plug control.

On the other end of the shaft is a big knob that hides the bath overflow.

The plug had stopped popping up and when I looked at the mech, it was obvious that the plate linking the crank on the shaft to the cable had become detached due to a missing retaining clip.

The crank is about 7.3mm in diameter but I guess it's the diameter of the groove for the clip that matters.

Looking at sets of circlips on eBay I notice that 7mm seems to be missing but there are 6mm one available.

Alternatively there are C clips that come in 6 or 7 mm size.

Any suggestions as to which would be best?

Tim

[Tim+]

For anyone unsure of which is which...

Examples of C clip.

& circlip.

[Graham.]

On 8 Jan 2018 14:11:14 GMT, Tim+ coalesced the vapors of human experience into a viable and meaningful comprehension...

Bugger, I've been calling them both Circlips for 50 years.

[Tim+]

To be fair, I dare say that they?re both types of circlips. I wouldn?t trust eBay as an authority on naming. ;-)

Tim

[Steve]

Starlock washer?

[Tim+]

Thanks but I don't think one of those would have fitted. They're normally for smooth shafts, not ones with a machined groove.

Anyhow, all rather academic now as I was only thinking of repairing this one as a "spare" having already purchased and fitted a new one.

I realised that I'd accidentally thrown away one of the rather important seals before deciding to repair it. Doh!

Tim

[newshound]

I'd say circlip would be better, 6 mm will probably fit. C clip would probably work too.

[Roger Hayter]

The temporary alternative would be a bit of wire with the ends twisted together.

[Brian Gaff]

Would you also need to know what material its made from as if it does get wet or whosoever it can corode. Brian

[Andrew Gabriel]

The generic name is pingfuckits.

Eye protection advised...

They are usually made from sprung steel of a type which corrodes very quickly if there's any moisture around.

[John Rumm]

I would have gone for a brass C clip...

[Graeme]

In message , Andrew Gabriel writes

Indeed! Having mentioned C clips and circlips, there are also R clips, which have the advantage of being slightly easier to grab hold of than C clips or circlips.