Circlip External 3mm - Pack of 5

External circlips (also called external retaining rings or snap rings) are precision-formed rings that snap into a machined groove around a shaft, holding bearings, gears, pulleys and other components securely in place. This circlip is made from spring-tempered carbon steel to DIN 471, suited to general workshop, industrial and automotive use.

Where this product is used

External circlips are used wherever a component needs to be retained on a shaft without welding, bolting or machining a shoulder — the ring seats into a machined groove around the shaft and holds the component captive against axial movement.

• Bearing, gear and pulley retention on shafts in gearboxes and general industrial machinery.
• Automotive and agricultural drivetrain component retention, including gearbox and transmission shafts.
• General engineering and production-line maintenance wherever a removable external retaining ring is needed.

Key specifications

Selecting the right option

Confirm internal vs external before ordering — an external circlip (this product) fits around a shaft; an internal circlip fits inside a bore or housing. Match the circlip to the exact shaft diameter for your application and check it against the machined groove dimensions in your equipment drawings or the manufacturer's spec sheet. Where the application involves washdown, marine, food-grade or outdoor corrosion exposure, choose our 304 stainless steel external circlip instead of this standard carbon steel version. For a full walkthrough of circlip types, sizing and fitting, see our Circlip Buying Guide. Contact AIMS if you need a size outside the standard range shown here.