Vectra M2 Impeller retaining ring replacement

[xxoczukxx]

I have a Vectra M2 with a spot of rust on the retaining ring. Besides that, the impeller is in immaculate condition. I reached out to Ecotech and they told me that it is one piece and they can't send me just a retaining ring (I'm SURE this isn't just an excuse to sell a new $50 impeller instead of a 25 cent part).

Does anyone know what size or specs I would need to replace this ring?

 

[UncommonSense]

That part is called an “external snap ring” (aka: “external retainment ring”

There are tons of different shapes and sizes of these rings in both metric and imperial…

Ecotech doesn’t specify if they use metric or imperial hardware.

The fact that it’s rusting is very concerning, that indicates that it isn’t actually suited for marine applications…

My best guess for material would be a zinc plated steel, or 304 stainless steel…

Ideal replacement would be dimensionally identical (thickness, inside diameter, outside dimeter)… do you have measuring calipers?

— If not, your local hardware store may just have a dimensionally identical replacement if you bring your pump in to test fit… it probably won’t be stainless steel though… get the dimension of whichever snap ring fits from the store label, then buy the correct one online!

The ideal materials would be 316 stainless steel, 18/8 stainless steel, or grade 2 titanium; though these may be challenging to source!

 

[xxoczukxx]

That part is called an “external snap ring” (aka: “external retainment ring”

There are tons of different shapes and sizes of these rings in both metric and imperial…

Ecotech doesn’t specify if they use metric or imperial hardware.

The fact that it’s rusting is very concerning, that indicates that it isn’t actually suited for marine applications…

My best guess for material would be a zinc plated steel, or 304 stainless steel…

Ideal replacement would be dimensionally identical (thickness, inside diameter, outside dimeter)… do you have measuring calipers?

— If not, your local hardware store may just have a dimensionally identical replacement if you bring your pump in to test fit… it probably won’t be stainless steel though… get the dimension of whichever snap ring fits from the store label, then buy the correct one online!

The ideal materials would be 316 stainless steel, 18/8 stainless steel, or grade 2 titanium; though these may be challenging to source!

The rust is a TINY TINY spot i wonder if a snail shell or something got sucked into the pump at some point and caused some sort of damage to it… it was a lot worse originally with a brown spot around and on the ceramic shaft as well but after soaking and scrubbing it has been reduced to this spot which i realize may have been hard to see in my original picture

I do have calipers on hand, I’ll get some measurements and see if I can find a suitable replacement for this, thanks for the help!

 

[UncommonSense]

You can also likely find a dimensionally identical external snap ring in steel (just to figure out it’s actual size) at a decent local auto parts store! - they will typically have the actual tool (snap ring pliers) required to easily install and remove that ring just laying around and ready to use too!

 

[UncommonSense]

The rust is a TINY TINY spot i wonder if a snail shell or something got sucked into the pump at some point and caused some sort of damage to it… it was a lot worse originally with a brown spot around and on the ceramic shaft as well but after soaking and scrubbing it has been reduced to this spot which i realize may have been hard to see in my original picture

I do have calipers on hand, I’ll get some measurements and see if I can find a suitable replacement for this, thanks for the help!

That much rust staining from it is alarming!! I think it is some sort of corrosion resistant plating (zinc?!?) over steel if it stained the surrounding area like that…

Not a good look for Ecotech…