DIN 471 vs DIN 472 Circlips: The Complete UK Guide to External and Internal Retaining Rings (2026)

By SpringFix UK Team | Reading time: 8 minutes

If you've ever tried to buy circlips online in the UK, you'll have seen the numbers: DIN 471, DIN 472, DIN 6799, and a few others. They all look similar. They all cost a few pence each. But get the wrong one and your repair job stops dead.

This guide explains exactly what each standard means, when to use which, how to size correctly, and how to install without damaging the clip or the shaft. Whether you're rebuilding a car gearbox, servicing a lawnmower, or working on marine hardware — this covers everything you need to know.

What Is a Circlip?

A circlip (short for "circular clip") is a spring-steel ring designed to fit into a groove to hold a component in place. The technical name is "retaining ring" or "snap ring." All three names refer to the same thing.

The purpose is simple: prevent axial movement. If you have a shaft with a bearing on it, the bearing wants to slide off. A circlip in a groove on the shaft stops that from happening.

Circlips come in two main types:

1. External circlips (DIN 471) — Fit onto a shaft, holding components in place from the outside
2. Internal circlips (DIN 472) — Fit into a bore (hole), holding components in place from the inside

That's the core distinction. Everything else is variation.

The DIN Standards Explained

DIN is the German standards body (Deutsches Institut für Normung), and their retaining ring standards are used worldwide.

DIN 471 — External Retaining Rings

Also called "shaft retaining rings" or "external circlips." These are the most common type in DIY and automotive work.

• Fit onto: The outside of a shaft
• Groove location: On the shaft
• Compression direction: The clip is squeezed inward to expand its opening, then released into the groove
• Tool required: External circlip pliers (compress the ears together)

DIN 472 — Internal Retaining Rings

Also called "bore retaining rings" or "internal circlips." Less common but essential for gearbox and hub work.

• Fit into: The inside of a bore
• Groove location: Inside the bore
• Compression direction: The clip is expanded outward, then released into the groove
• Tool required: Internal circlip pliers (expand the ears apart)

Quick Visual Test

Look at the shape of the clip's "ears" (the two prongs where the pliers grip):

• Ears point INWARD → External clip (DIN 471) — for shafts
• Ears point OUTWARD → Internal clip (DIN 472) — for bores

This test works every time and stops you buying the wrong type.

Sizing Circlips Correctly

The number stamped on a circlip refers to the shaft or bore diameter, not the clip's outer diameter.

For DIN 471 External Clips

Match the number to your shaft diameter:

• 6mm shaft → 6mm DIN 471 clip
• 8mm shaft → 8mm DIN 471 clip
• 10mm shaft → 10mm DIN 471 clip

The clip's inner diameter (before installation) will be smaller than the shaft (e.g. 5.6mm for a 6mm clip). This is normal — the clip is designed to spring open, snap over the shaft, then contract into the groove.

Standard Sizes at SpringFix UK

We currently stock external DIN 471 clips in:

• 6mm — Small shafts, model engineering, mopeds
• 8mm — Bicycle axles, gearbox shafts, motorcycles
• 10mm — Larger shafts, car parts, industrial machinery

Internal DIN 472 clips coming soon.

Materials: Which Circlip for Which Job?

Carbon Steel (Standard)

Most cheap circlips are carbon spring steel. They work fine in dry, indoor environments. But expose them to moisture, salt, or chemicals, and they rust within weeks. A rusted circlip loses spring tension and can fail unexpectedly.

Use for: Indoor machinery, dry gearboxes, temporary repairs

Stainless Steel (Premium)

Stainless steel circlips resist corrosion for years, even in marine, coastal, and outdoor environments. The extra cost pays back many times over in longevity.

Use for: Boats, motorcycles, agricultural equipment, coastal properties, garden machinery, food industry

Common Applications

Automotive

• Wheel bearings on stub axles
• Clutch release bearing retention
• Driveshaft CV joint retention
• Steering column bearings
• Alternator pulley shafts

Motorcycle

• Chain sprocket retention
• Wheel axle retention
• Clutch basket retention
• Kick starter shaft retention
• Gear selector shaft retention

Marine

• Outboard motor shaft assemblies
• Boat trailer wheel bearings
• Marina fittings
• Winch drum retention
• Rudder pivot pins

Agriculture

• PTO shaft assemblies
• Implement pivot pins
• Wheel bearing retention
• Hydraulic actuator ends
• Roller conveyor assemblies

How to Install a Circlip

Installing correctly matters. A poorly fitted circlip can pop off under load, causing damage or injury.

Tools You Need

• External circlip pliers for DIN 471 (ears face inward, so pliers compress inward)
• Internal circlip pliers for DIN 472 (ears face outward, so pliers expand outward)
• Some pliers are switchable between internal and external modes — check yours

Step-by-Step: External Circlip (DIN 471)

1. Clean the shaft groove — any burrs, rust, or debris will prevent the clip seating
2. Insert the plier tips into the two holes in the circlip ears
3. Squeeze the pliers to open the clip
4. Slide the open clip along the shaft to the groove position
5. Release the pliers slowly, letting the clip spring into the groove
6. Verify the clip sits fully in the groove — no part sticking up

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-spreading the clip
Only spread enough to fit over the shaft (or into the bore). Over-spreading permanently deforms the clip and reduces spring force.

2. Using pliers as levers
Pliers should only compress or expand. Never twist or lever them — you'll damage the plier tips and the clip.

3. Skipping the groove clean
Debris in the groove stops the clip from fully seating. Always clean first, then install.

4. Reusing bent clips
Once a circlip has been installed and removed, it's often lost enough spring tension to fail. Replace with new.

FAQs

Can I use a DIN 471 external clip in a DIN 472 internal application?
No — they work opposite ways. External clips grip inward; internal clips grip outward. Wrong type won't fit at all.

What's the difference between DIN 471 and DIN 6799?
DIN 6799 is a "quick-release" E-style clip that fits laterally into a groove without pliers. DIN 471 is a full-circle circlip requiring pliers. Both are external, but installation is very different.

Can I use grease when installing a circlip?
A light smear on the groove is fine — helps the clip seat. Don't over-grease as it can attract debris.

Are internal and external circlip pliers different?
Standard pliers are dedicated to one type. Switchable pliers can do both. If you work on many projects, a switchable set saves money and space.

How much force can a DIN 471 circlip hold?
It varies by size. A 6mm DIN 471 typically holds around 1.5-2 kN axial load. Larger clips proportionally more. Always check the manufacturer's data if it's a safety-critical application.

Why do stainless circlips cost more than steel?
Material cost — stainless has more nickel, chromium, and (for A4 grade) molybdenum. The extra cost is small versus the longer service life in outdoor or wet environments.

Shop Circlips at SpringFix UK

We stock stainless steel DIN 471 external circlips in the most common sizes:

• Circlips & Retaining Rings Collection →
• 6mm, 8mm, 10mm shaft sizes
• Stainless steel — rust-resistant for marine, outdoor, and industrial use
• 20-pack (small jobs) or 50-pack (trade / bulk)
• Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm

Related Guides

• A2 vs A4 Stainless Steel Guide 2026 — Which grade for your project?
• Ball Joint End Fittings Explained — Sizes, uses, and installation tips

Article by SpringFix UK Team — Engineering fasteners, gas struts, and precision hardware for UK trade and DIY. Over 1,700 positive eBay feedbacks. UK stock, UK dispatched.