sphere removal tool

Post by **admiral51** » 09 Jul 2007, 19:39

hi all
have been looking through post to try and find a cheapish tool for changing my spheres and keep looking at this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-BX-CX-XAN ... dZViewItem
anyone got any idea if it will do the job or should i try something a bit more chunky
colin

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 09 Jul 2007, 21:07

That tool does in fact look good & chunky for the purpose. Not exactly expensive for a ready made tool either.
The protruding bolt must however be torqued seriously for the tool to hold the sphere.
Also it looks like fairly easy to slip over a piece of water piping as a torque extender bar.

Have a look in our archive & hints sections for DIY tools :
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=8
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... m.php?f=11

Note : you just need the tool to break the first 1/8-1/4 of a turn on the sphere, then it is in fact dangling loose on its thread.
New spheres MUST be hand tightened ONLY - like an oil filter.

tricky ricky · Post by **tricky ricky** » 09 Jul 2007, 22:19

Buy the tool from Pleaides. Costs around 30 squid. Well worth every penny. I have never came across a sphere it cannot undo. http://www.citroen-hydraulics.com/

As Anders says, the bolt will need to be really tight!

Post by **admiral51** » 11 Jul 2007, 22:48

thanks for your input gents but i think looking at cost i will probably go for the Pleaides tool in for a penny in for a pound i guess

just a quick question i know its best to crack the rear spheres on high setting is it the same for the fronts??

cheers colin

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 11 Jul 2007, 23:34

The short answer is NO

The rear struts ae not bolted in but held in place by the weight of the car against a partially extended strut pushing against the chassis - so when you twist the sphere the strut may (and probably will)l twist. Max height makes it push hard against the subframe which holds it and preserves the pipe bolted into the side.

The fronts are rigidly mounted - so no problem.

tricky ricky · Post by **tricky ricky** » 12 Jul 2007, 08:54

The tool will be a good long term investment if you plan to run hydraulic Cits for a while.

The job becomes so easy with the correct tool, but almost impossible with the wrong tool such as a chain wrench. Been there!

Good luck, I'm sure you will manage fine!

Post by **admiral51** » 06 Aug 2007, 18:28

hi
purchased said tool from ebay cost £19

didnt have to tighten bolt to much and even able to tap handle with hammer

and the vibration helped to break the tension even on the back spheres

well worth the modest outlay esp as i now have to do it all over again

front spheres all round

colin