Snap ring on 8 speed gear shift

[oneofeach]

What do you people use for a tool to remove the heavy snap ring on an 8 speed gear shift, in order to remove the gear shift from top trans cover?

 

[Welding man]

What do you people use for a tool to remove the heavy snap ring on an 8 speed gear shift, in order to remove the gear shift from top trans cover?

I don't even try. I keep a supply of new ones on hand, cut the old one off and when I'm finished with the repair I slide a new one down the shaft with a 11/16 open end wrench and hit it with a hammer and the new ring will pop right on. A new ring costs 2 bucks.