ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, and ISO 14001:2015 quality certified
Automotive Retaining Rings & Wave Springs for Advanced Vehicle Systems
Drive Innovation Across Conventional, Hybrid & Electric Vehicles
From powertrain, steering, braking, and transmission systems to hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, Smalley components support a wide range of automotive applications. With decades of experience serving automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, Smalley provides innovative solutions that help engineers meet the demands of today's evolving mobility landscape.
Smalley components help automotive engineers reduce assembly size and weight, improve assembly efficiency, and simplify installation while delivering reliable performance across critical vehicle systems. Our commitment to quality and manufacturing excellence has earned General Motors' Supplier Quality Excellence Award for 14 consecutive years. Backed by extensive engineering expertise and a broad range of standard and custom components, Smalley delivers the consistency, quality, and dependability automotive manufacturers expect from their supply partners.
Smalley's industry-experienced engineers can recommend retaining ring and wave spring solutions to help optimize your design. Free CAD models and part samples are also available to support fast evaluation, prototyping, and implementation.
Why Automotive Engineers Choose Smalley
40+ material options and a variety of finishes
Dedicated engineering team with application expertise
14x recipient of GM’s Supplier Quality Excellence Award
Extensive inventory with over 11,000 standard part numbers
Custom parts with No-Tooling-Costs™
Free samples and CAD models to ensure proper fit and function
All parts proudly made in the State of Illinois, USA
Automotive Application Examples
- Transmissions
- PTUs (Power Transfer Units)
- Transfer Cases
- Gearboxes
- Mechanical Diodes (One-Way Clutches)
- Rear Differential Modules (RDM)
- Locking Differentials
- Steering Systems
- Suspension Systems
- Ride Control Assemblies
- Thermal Management Modules
- EGR Valves
- Cooling Systems
- Seat Blowers
- Seat Heaters
- Seat Track Mechanisms
- Folding Rear View Mirrors
- Shifters
- Airbag Inflators
- Electric Motors
- Battery Systems
- Power Electronics
- Voltage Converters
- Cooling Fans
- Electric Drive Assemblies
- Charging Infrastructure Components
Usage in Electric Vehicle Motors
Smalley’s retaining rings and wave springs are commonplace in electric vehicle (EV) motors. Space optimization can be as important as performance in these highly complex systems. Smalley’s products allow for compact designs without sacrificing retention force or design precision. Spirolox® rings are manufactured using flat wire that is edge coiled into the circular form. The constant cross-section of this design eliminates the need for protruding installation ears typically seen on stamped snap rings. The multi-turn options also feature a gapless design with 360° of retaining surface. In the wider automotive industry, Spirolox rings are used in many applications, such as clutches, brakes, and suspensions, to name a few.
Smalley’s wave springs are an excellent fit for EVs as well. Smalley wave springs offer unique space-saving capabilities unattainable with traditional coil springs. When switching to a Crest-to-Crest® spring, the spring cavity height can be reduced by up to 50% while still maintaining the same spring force and deflection. A smaller component footprint in an electric motor can translate to overall weight and cost savings and lead to a more optimized product. In addition to motors, wave springs are used in transmissions, gearbox drives, side mirrors, and many more automotive applications.
Common Smalley Solutions for Automotive
Spirolox® Retaining Rings
Revolox® Self-Locking Retaining Rings
Crest-to-Crest® Wave Springs
Single-Turn Wave Springs
Design & Material Considerations
Every application presents a unique set of design and performance requirements. Smalley engineers are available to review your application and help identify the appropriate retaining ring or wave spring for your needs. The considerations below highlight some of the key factors engineers evaluate when specifying Smalley components.
- Assembly size and weight objectives
- Available axial and radial space
- Required force or travel
- Light-, medium-, or heavy-duty retention
- Installation and removal requirements
- Material strength requirements
- Quality and performance standards
For information on available material and finish options, refer to our Material Selection Guide. For a more comprehensive review of design considerations and component selection requirements, contact a Smalley engineer for a free design consultation.
High Rotational Capacity E-Book
How can engineers safely secure assemblies operating at higher rotational speeds?
As rotational speed requirements continue to increase in electric motors and other advanced applications, traditional retention methods can present performance and manufacturing challenges. Smalley's Revolox® Self-Locking Ring was developed specifically for high-RPM applications, providing a secure retention solution designed for both performance and efficient installation.
Featuring an innovative dome-and-slot design, Revolox® is the first high-speed retaining ring engineered with automated installation in mind, making it ideal for high-volume production environments. Our Revolox® Product Guide covers this breakthrough technology and its applications in today's evolving mobility and electrification markets.
