Bosch 1617 - retaining ring issues

8343 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by mtlakejim, 30 d ago

difalkner

Discussion Starter · Aug 12, 2017

I've had my Bosch 1617 about 4 years and it's a great router, but about 4 months ago the retaining ring on the height adjustment popped off. I picked up two for less than a dollar at the hardware store instead of ordering one for $2.50 from a Bosch parts supplier.

I always make certain there's no pressure on the ring when I raise/lower the height (depth?) and when it's in my router table I even 'help' it by putting my hand under the router to lift and provide support but now this retaining ring seems to pop off about once a month. I never find the offending ring but just snap another on. It's a nuisance. I suspect the groove may be slightly rounded and that's why the ring doesn't stay in place but I have yet to truly examine it although it looks fine with just a glance.

Is anyone else having this issue or is it old hat and I'm just now seeing it happen?

Machine Machine tool

David

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Herb Stoops

· #2 · Aug 12, 2017

Mine did that too and I went to Ace Hardware and got a couple of new ones. But they didn't fit right. I think the Bosch are metric and the ones I bought were SAE. It didn't matter though as I installed the router in the lift and didn't use the base.

I have never had good luck replacing those split ring retainers after they come off. The factory installation is way better than I can do,they don't seem to spring back tight.
Herb

DesertRatTom

· #3 · Aug 12, 2017

Sounds like it might be time to locate a Bosch service facility. I've also always had problems with this kind of retaining ring once the original came off, just never with Bosch.

Stick486

· #4 · Aug 13, 2017

time to call Bosch...
877-267-2499...tell then exactly what you told us...
you never know till you try....

Mike

· #5 · Aug 13, 2017

I had the E clip pop off once but it went back on with no problem. Yes they are metric and the size is critical for a proper fit. I found that the through the table adjustment tube is just in the way when using wrenches. This is easily solved by using a Musclechuck. I much prefer my older 1617's without it.

Cherryville Chuck

· #6 · Aug 13, 2017

Check and make sure there is no pitch or dirt buildup in the groove Dave. If you can't get one to stay in would a wire wrapped around in the groove and then twisted tight work better? It would look crude but it might work better.

Nobodi

· #7 · Aug 13, 2017

a rutland or climax split collar double split collar will fix it

Herb Stoops

· #8 · Aug 13, 2017

Nobodi said:
a rutland or climax split collar double split collar will fix it

Good suggestion, I did that on my Craftsman table saw tilt adjustment one time, but didn't try it on the bosch,not sure there is room for it.
Shaft Collars: Clamp Collar, Split Collar, & Set Screw Shaft Collar

Herb

riandavis

· #9 · Dec 31, 2019

It's a design/manufacturing problem

I had the same problem. After very little use of my router in my swanky matching Bosch router table, the retaining clip came loose. Kaplooey!

I read up on several forums.

Then I took my lift off and noticed that there's a set screw in the lift that protrudes into the inside of the lift and rubs against the body of the router. My router had terrible scratch marks to prove it. The set screw seemed to be welded in (there was not screw head, per se). So I took a Dremel and ground the set screw flush with the interior of the router lift. Seems to slide down and (more importantly) up much more easily now. I don't have occasion to use it right now, or I'd report on the actual success under load.

Bob S.

· #10 · 2 mo ago (Edited by Moderator)

difalkner said:
I've had my Bosch 1617 about 4 years and it's a great router, but about 4 months ago the retaining ring on the height adjustment popped off. I picked up two for less than a dollar at the hardware store instead of ordering one for $2.50 from a Bosch parts supplier.

I always make certain there's no pressure on the ring when I raise/lower the height (depth?) and when it's in my router table I even 'help' it by putting my hand under the router to lift and provide support but now this retaining ring seems to pop off about once a month. I never find the offending ring but just snap another on. It's a nuisance. I suspect the groove may be slightly rounded and that's why the ring doesn't stay in place but I have yet to truly examine it although it looks fine with just a glance.

Is anyone else having this issue or is it old hat and I'm just now seeing it happen?

View attachment 292681

David, I have had the same experience, recently! I was attempting to use the fine adj and was working against some significant resistance when I heard a “pling” noise and found the retainer spring clip on my table. It appears a bit bent and I do not know if I need a new clip or can just reuse the old one. Also, can you offer advice on the specific way you put on a new retainer clip?

Bob S.

· #11 · 1 mo ago

Does anyone out there have specific instructions on how to install a new retainer clip? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

difalkner

Discussion Starter · #12 · 1 mo ago

Bob S. said:
Does anyone out there have specific instructions on how to install a new retainer clip? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

I don't recall doing anything special to get the retaining clip installed, sorry.

Bob S.

· #13 · 1 mo ago (Edited by Moderator)

difalkner said:
I don't recall doing anything special to get the retaining clip installed, sorry.

We’ll, got it “on”, I think, but it looks a bit catty wumpus. It looks like it’s not quite seated, but it does look like it’s all the way back around the shaft. It still looks as if it is a bit twisted or something; it just isn’t seated the way I would think it should be to render it securely fastened.

difalkner

Discussion Starter · #14 · 1 mo ago

Bob S. said:
it does look like it’s all the way back around the shaft.

Are you certain it's the correct size?

mtlakejim

· #15 · 30 d ago

I'm not certain but seem to recall someone mentioning that those rings are an odd ball size.. Did you order the replacement from Bosch??

Do you have a pair of snap ring plyers. Very handy on snap rings for sure!!

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