Snap rings primarily provide simple retention of parts on shafts or in cylinders. Advantages of snap rings are their economy of manufacture, ease of assembly, and accuracy of positioning. Retaining rings are used to hold components (such as bearings) and seals in place. Sized by internal or external dimensions, the retaining ring by design maintains integrity throughout joining or mating parts. Retaining rings fasten assemblies on shafts or in housings/bores. They are installed into a groove creating a shoulder that retains the assembly. Retaining rings are more efficient and cost-effective than traditional fasteners like screws, nuts, bolts, cotter pins, washers and more. They function with a minimum amount of surface preparation to either shaft or housing.