I love my 1992 z28 . Thought I would change the leaking wheel cylinders , what a joke ! I have like 20 hours invested and am still not done ! Whoever made this clip design for the rear cylinders should have there head examined . I have tried every process suggested and nothing worked to get the old clips to release . I had to pry them out, then installing the new one they wouldn't clip back in.this design frustrating and I think it's unsafe.

 

They're just a spring clip. Pry em out, push the new ones in. The design has been in use for decades, nothing unsafe about them.

 

Well, you have to keep in mind that most (and when I say most, I mean pretty much all auto parts) are no longer made here with careful quality and craftsmanship. The "designs" have played the telephone game 1,000 too many times to the effect of when you want a spring clip, you get a piece of metal that's round and that's about it.

I've just pretty much accepted the fact that I will NEVER SEE GOOD QUALITY PARTS EVER AGAIN!!!!! Yes, I'm screaming, so CAPS is warranted. The best thing you can do is try to find good used factory replacements and just pretend that everything in the parts stores is 100% absolute garbage. This way your're never disappointed when something you buy actually looks and functions like the part you removed. These are the times now, because no one cares to make quality parts anymore, no one. You just have to get used to lazy businesses who only care about the profit.

 

When I worked at the GM dealer in the 90’s we called these “Jesus” clips, because that’s what you would hear us all say when trying to put them on.
It’s probably not really anything about the quality of the new clips, they’ve always been a PITA

 

You're obviously a bit younger...

The original part that got that name, was those things that held on the roll-your-own window handles, back in the 60s & 70s. Especially vent windows, because of the shape of the door panel up there. Entire new languages of deity-addressing words were invented to describe those.

I never found the brake ones to be much of a challenge, once I figured them out. First time was a witch with a capital B; but after that, piece o cake.

 

I agree Real P.I.A. job -- For Me, I found a fast way to hammer the clips on.. Block of wood between cylinder and axle flange then, First use a 1 1/8" 12 point socket to set the clip, then use a 3/8 drive set on angle to hammer each clip side in place..

 

 

The block of wood and socket method is how I often put them back together as well.

I use 2 screwdrivers to remove them: one at an angle to get up under the tab, twist it to pry the tab out of the groove in the cyl, then the 2nd one behind the tip of the tab to bend it out and let it come off.

On some cars it helps to take the backing plate off; 2 small bolts and that one big locknut, and the whole thing then is laying out in the open where you can see it and get to it. You could even pop the axle out and take it completely off if you want but that's a certain amount of extra work and not really necessary unless you're cleaning it up or replacing it.