I've gotten away with using sharp picks, small screwdrivers and needle-nose pliers to remove and install ... the Mercedes-Benz of retaining ring pliers: Milbar Cam-Lock convertible retaining ...

You can re-key a lock like a pro at a fraction ... assembly to pop off the knob sleeve, and remove the cylinder. Use the special retainer ring tool supplied with the kit to force off the thin ...

Over the years I've gathered quite a collection of weird tools ... and lock-ring grooves can also get torn up by the small screwdrivers often used as improvised Spirolock installation and removal ...