Fork seal circlips

[Reggie3cl]

So there I am, bike securely propped up on the patented (probably) Reggie-stand and one fork leg out.  Slipped the stanchion off and pulled off the rubber dust cover over the seals, (eww, some nasty shit in there) circlip pliers to hand when  WTF???  what sort of circlips are in there- no loops for the pliers!  How on earth are you supposed to get 'em out?

 

[Simonr501]

Have they got 'ears' on?

If like above (2nd one is spiral) then you need something sharp and pointy to dig them out.

 

[Reggie3cl]

No ears- like the top one.  I can see how you're supposed to hook something behind now.  Blimey.

 

[Grant]

Usually able to winkle them out with a thin blade screwdriver.
Should be a slight angle on the ends, so pick the end that allow best purchase on it with the screwdriver.
Fiddly but do-able.