Rear sphere won't budge HELP

kookysaphire · Unread post by **kookysaphire** » 22 May 2003, 04:00

Help
Can not remove rear sphere I am using the correct tool but it won't budge and I don't want to damage the pipe. Any ideas asap please need car for hols this weekend.
Thanx[:(]

Fox · Unread post by **Fox** » 22 May 2003, 04:11

Have you depressurised the system? When we did it we gave it a good bashing until it turned a quarter of a turn, then de-pressurised the system, and it screwed off by hand.

kookysaphire · Unread post by **kookysaphire** » 22 May 2003, 04:17

Is it a seperate one to depresurize the front to the back.

NiSk · Unread post by **NiSk** » 22 May 2003, 04:25

No - the pressure release screw releases all pressure from the hydraulic system. For the rear spheres, you must have full pressure to stop the cylinders turning, for the first quarter turn, then you must release the pressure to stop LHM leaking all over the place. It can require quite enormouse force to get them to budge! Either a long lever or a couiple of heafty wacks with a hand sledge and a blunt chisel on the rim of the weld.
//NiSk

kookysaphire · Unread post by **kookysaphire** » 22 May 2003, 04:31

Have tried lots of preasure but the whole thing is rotating and it will snap if i carry on, i have tried force and i have depreasurized the system but still no joy. Is there anyway of holding still while I unscrew it.[?]

Fox · Unread post by **Fox** » 22 May 2003, 05:09

Is this the anti-sink sphere you are removing? I had that - it was attached to a pipe thingy and that seemed to turn with it.
Got a garage to do it in the end

Unread post by **alan s** » 22 May 2003, 05:17

Have you read this?? Also if this doesn't work, I have also had it said that placing as big a load as you can find (weigh wise) in the boot to increase the load also helps. You have got the rear wheels on the ground or at least carrying the weight of the vehicle I presume??
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... IC_ID=1695
Alan S

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 22 May 2003, 05:21

Having the rear end resting only on the wheel in question puts maximum load on that cylinder....
....of course the unloaded side must have a safety jack allready in place, just barely supporting, in case the car tilts....

DLM · Unread post by **DLM** » 22 May 2003, 10:34

I recently surprised myself by changing very reluctanct rear spheres on BX estate - the cylinders were rotating even on high pressure. I obtained a largeish (14-inch?) stilson-type wrench and used this to clamp the rear cylinder just in front of the rubber boot for the initial 1/4 -turn "crack" under pressure.
I positioned the wrench against the ground to ensure opposing forces + made sure the wrench jaws were tightened by the rotation forces. For the tighter of the two, I needed to almost stand the car on the stilson before I could get it to grip enough. There's potential for cylinder damage here so be careful. Beware of lifting the car off any supports using this method, and use an extension bar on the sphere removal tool to exert maximum pressure and avoid being under the car while applying maximum force.
David

algieuk · Unread post by **algieuk** » 22 May 2003, 15:05

I note that you say you have depressurised the system. You MUST have pressure on for the first quarter turn and THEN depressurise. Like has been said, put some weight in the boot to increase the pressure too.

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 23 May 2003, 03:47

This is the first time i have posted anything on here, but this worked on my 200,000 mile bx diesel. This will only work if you have a BIG chain wrench. I have one(the chain bits about 14" long), made by Franklin tools and it only cost about £12 if I remember right.It wasnt hard to get; I got it in Clarkins car spares in Walthamstow, so I assume they are readily available.
First, put the car on Maximum height setting, then put the chain wrench in position on the sphere, but MAKE CERTAIN you know what way everythings going to turn. Ensure that the handle of the wrench is on the floor, set the suspension to lowest setting, and the weight of the car sinking bears onto the wrench and, hey-presto, the sphere turns about a third of a turn and you can do the rest by hand. Its quite hard to describe the method without a picture but it has always worked for me!!Basically, the car and gravity do the work for you.

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 23 May 2003, 03:48

This is the first time i have posted anything on here, but this worked on my 200,000 mile bx diesel. This will only work if you have a BIG chain wrench. I have one(the chain bits about 14" long), made by Franklin tools and it only cost about £12 if I remember right.It wasnt hard to get; I got it in Clarkins car spares in Walthamstow, so I assume they are readily available.
First, put the car on Maximum height setting, then put the chain wrench in position on the sphere, but MAKE CERTAIN you know what way everythings going to turn. Ensure that the handle of the wrench is on the floor, set the suspension to lowest setting, and the weight of the car sinking bears onto the wrench and, hey-presto, the sphere turns about a third of a turn and you can do the rest by hand. Its quite hard to describe the method without a picture but it has always worked for me!!Basically, the car and gravity do the work for you.

DLM · Unread post by **DLM** » 23 May 2003, 09:36

Nice one bxbodger, a man after my own heart (let gravity and opposing forces do the work).
I'd add one consideration though - this is likely to crush the suspension pipe if the cylinder rotates along with the sphere - a bit of a gamble but certainly a way of applying plentiful force.
David