Retaining Rings for Shaft and Bore Locking – Types, Installation, and Best Use Cases

In mechanical design, when components must be securely held on a shaft or inside a bore, but space is limited and disassembly must remain possible, the best solution is often the Retaining Ring—also known as a circlip, snap ring, or locking ring.

At Dongguan Sango Hardware Fasteners Co., Ltd., we manufacture a wide range of retaining rings for axial retention, component positioning, and rotational safety across industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and precision tooling.

1. What Is a Retaining Ring?

A Retaining Ring is a non-threaded fastener that fits into a groove on a shaft or inside a bore, providing a shoulder to prevent axial movement of parts like bearings, pulleys, gears, or sleeves.

🔧 Primary Functions:

• Prevent axial displacement
• Maintain component alignment
• Enable easy assembly/disassembly
• Withstand centrifugal and vibrational loads
• Reduce hardware count vs nuts, washers, or shoulder bolts

2. Main Types of Retaining Rings

🔹 External Retaining Ring (Shaft Mount)

• Mounted around the outside of a shaft
• Fits into a machined groove
• Prevents parts from sliding off the shaft

🔹 Internal Retaining Ring (Bore Mount)

• Installed inside a hole or housing
• Holds parts such as bearings, bushings, or rollers in place

🔹 E-Clip (E-Ring)

• Slides onto a shaft from the side
• Requires no shaft-end access
• Ideal for field assembly or retrofit

🔹 Spiral Retaining Ring

• Continuous flat spiral design
• No lugs; better balance and compactness
• Preferred in high-speed rotation or tight radial space

🔹 Self-Locking or Push-On Retaining Ring

• No groove required; locks via interference fit
• Common in appliances, toys, small devices

3. Where Are Retaining Rings Used?

• 🚗 Automotive axles, transmissions, and CV joints
• 🛠️ Power tools and rotating equipment
• 📦 Packaging machinery and gearboxes
• 🔩 Precision bearings and roller assemblies
• ✈️ Aerospace linkages and actuators
• 🧲 Magnets or magnetic ring retention in motors

They’re also essential in designs where quick assembly, low profile, and axial security are priorities.

4. Selection Criteria for Retaining Rings