E-Clip buckling problems

[JDozierAVM]

I would like to start out by saying I am fresh out of college with my BSME and have just started my job and am on day 9. We are having problems with our E-clip retainer rings (that are supposedly the correct inner diameter and are match with a shaft with the correct outer diameter) buckling and sliding over the shoulder of a shaft. The application is a damper and the shaft runs along the inside of a tube housing. The eclip is placed on the cutout of the shaft between the threads and the thickest part of the shaft and is used to press against the endcap of the tubular housing. This is so the inner shaft does not become exposed outside of the housing except for the threads, which are screwed into connectors. Something is going on in the application where the E-clip is buckling under pressure and sliding over the shoulder and down the shaft, exposing too much of the shaft. The dimensions of the cutout is 3/16" and the clip is labeled as a 3/16" clip. It's a 6mm shaft with a shoulder of .024" on each side. Does anyone have any solutions or maybe even a substitue idea for the e-clip? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KENAT]

Been a while since I looked at such things but from memory a circlip or similar will probably take more force to 'pop off' but of course is also more tricky to install.

Do you have a full groove? You mention being between the threads and the thickest part. If one side of the groove is actually the threads, then maybe that's contributing as it's not stopping the eclip from displacing in that direction.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[JDozierAVM]

The cut out is a one side of the groove, but it's not a cut that just allows the eclip to fit. The threads stick out of the housing on one end, and the endcap of the housing is also in the groove. The eclip is acting as a washer of sorts so the shaft isn't thrust into open space causing damage to the other inner components.

 

[btrueblood]

E-clips aren't the best at holding thrust loads. What is the gap between the housing (part that bears on the e-clip) and shaft? If that gap is too large, any retaining ring will fail by bending/buckling. Reduce the gap, or use a washer or spacer to minimize the gap where it contacts the retaining device. The rotorclip.com website, among others, have a good amount of data and calculations for the permissible geometric variations for circlips/retaining rings, and about the most you will find for e-clips.