Retaining ring mystery

[tim w]

I just bought a VV-IX at the Midwest show. It finally gave me the opportunity to get the gumption to tear into the motor to tackle cleaning and repacking the springs. It was a good learning experience and it runs nicely now.
When I was reassembling it, I ran across an odd occurrence. The retaining rings on both barrels somehow gained length by 1/16th or 1/8th inch. I made sure the covers were all the way down all around the circumference. When I put the rings back on they overlapped somehow. I wonder if anyone has seen this. I can't figure out how it might have happened. I ended up grinding the ends down so that ends met when they were in place.
I now have a couple more phonos I want to replace springs on. Fortunately single spring. If this has happened to anyone, do you know why, or what you did to correct it ? Thanks

[JerryVan]

Those rings are cut to a very precise length. I can assure you, they did not grow. What happens very often, is that the groove is not perfectly clean of debris or even small dents & burrs. Everything must be nearly perfect for them to fit. I'll admit, I've trimmed a couple in the past. Usually though, it's a matter of gripping the ring with pliers at various points around the circumference of the barrel, forcing it into the groove completely* and fully*, all the way around. Doing that usually brings the ends into alignment, allowing them to snap into place.

*It may appear that the ring is seated in the groove, but it must be tightly seated in the groove in order to work. Since the ring is not a perfect & precise circle, small areas will gap slightly out of the groove unless forced in place.

[tim w]

Thanks for your reply. Pressing all around the ring didn't seem to change anything, and the groove seemed to be all clean at the time. I will be sure to follow through with your suggestions next time.