Campy freehub: blind circlip removal

Does anyone have an idea how I can remove the circlip in my old Campy Record freehub? I've worked out that it's called a blind circlip, because it doesn't have an eye at either end that would allow one to use circlip pliers. Here's a photo of the thing in situ, and a stock photo from the Wiggle site that shows what they look like.

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Couple of small flathead screwdrivers to lever an end out of its recess and then work round it should work - at least that's what I've used with other circlips.

The occasional Bad Swear may help too, especially when supplemented with a sharp intake of breath.

Does that bearing defo have to come out? Usually because it's so deep inside the freehub it doesn't get any water or crud in it and therefore doesn't wear out.

I've done the swearing, for sure ... the problem is that it's so difficult to get anything in there, and get an angle on it. Would've been a better engineering decision to put some eyes on the thing. First time I've had to had to say a bad thing about Campag design.

Drill a small hole in the freehub body and push it out through there.

I've just checked and you're right, it is still smooth (after 15 years) - might just have to leave it in, replace the outboard bearing and the pawl spring (the broken spring was the reason for opening it up in the first place), and be done with it. Thank you.

My LBS drilled a hole after a load of swear words

I usually drill straight away to save myself the swearing

I drilled a 1mm hole to get mine out. But only do it if the bearing is rough, it's usually the outboard one that goes in my experience. Later models have eyes so you can use circlip pliers.

Notice one end of the circlip is cut so you can fit a tool under it. You’ll need a pick, the park tool ones work fine, and if not a thin screwdriver or knife will work.

Dit the tool under the end of the circlip, lift the edge, and when you’ve lifted it 3-5mm (poss. More) pull it towards you. That should lift part of the circlip out of the slot. If you got enough of the circlip out of the slot, you can fit the pick under the edge and continue lifting it out. What you don’t want to do is use two tools, one to lift the end and another to run along the edge lifting the rest of it.

Hopefully that makes sense. It’s not a difficult task once you get the knack of it. I have no idea how you’d remove the circlip pictured in that stock photo.

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Mine wasn't undercut like that - it was as in the Wiggle image. Hence the drilling needed...