Itinerant Air-Cooled

Having trouble with the snap ring pliers and the snap ring that retains the cross shaft into the transaxle housing. I think they are too small, they cause the circlip to flex and distort, making it too large and wavy to fit into the groove after finally forcing it on the shaft. It is also very difficult to get the circlip around the shaft. What are you guys using for this application? It is a frustrating angle, hard to get 90 deg., and the circlip must be opened up so wide to fit. The CraftsmanTM snap ring pliers I am using just aren't cutting it, but they are the size of needlenoze pliers, maybe just too small?
Like every VW repair - humbly simple mechanisms that require a learned contortion and plentiful cursing.

Circlip gets put on shaft and slid up against T/O bearing arm before shaft is installed in clutch housing.
After all is in place, circlip can be slid with finger pressure to the left and into its groove. "A little lube
on the shaft makes it easier."

That makes a lot more sense. Thought about that after it was already installed.
thank you