[j-posch]

Trying to do the above, one of the eyelets has broken off the circlip that holds the damper in stanchion. Don't want to damage anything, tried prying it with a sharp knife, but it's pretty stiff?

 

[LOOnatic]

Are you even using snap ring pliers?
Even if 1 eye breaks off you should be able to use the pliers in a twisting motion to unseat the ring , once its started your good.
Hey , it could be worse. My snap ring failed and i broke the end of the stantion off inside the lowers.....

 

[xxFRESHxx]

you could also stick a thin drill or something similar with the right diameter through the remaining eyelet and try to twist the clip out.

 

[Commencal-guy]

I used a small flat head screw driver to hold on the broken piece still while using the c-clip tool to bend the other piece until you can pop it right out.

It's happened too me a quite some time