Retaining rings can be bowed to help overcome problems with accumulated tolerance variations.
Retaining rings are circular fasteners that, when installed in a groove, hold components on a shaft or inside a bore. They hold gears, cams and pulleys on shafts, and they keep bearings, valves, nozzles and locks inside housings. Also known as snap rings, these fasteners are removable and reusable. They often do the job of several parts by replacing cotter pins, nuts and washers.