Sphere removal tool - again ;)

[LeeDJC]

I just came across a sphere removal tool on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-BX-CX-XAN ... dZViewItem

They look a little different to the design of the ones that I have seen before, but also a little cheaper than the pleiades ones.

Does anyone have a tool like this one, and is it any good? As I've got 10 spheres to change on my Activa, I would like a decent tool to do it with!

[Ross]

Finally got back on - happy Easter to one and all - lol

[DickieG]

I use the Pleiades tool and find the the angle the arm is mounted onto the strap to be very well thought out, particularly when removing Hydractive sphere's as it allows it to swing clear of obstructions. Unless the Ebay one has this feature, I'd pay the extra for a Pleiades tool.

[andmcit]

Don't think I'd trust using it on loads of awkward to get at spheres. The
grip actually appears to be the bolt fed in sideways against the sphere in
a pinpoint position the ring being purely alignment. Combine this with a
very small brace link and it all looks like it's relying on the single bolt with
the threaded area on the handle taking all the strain.

Nope, no good! I'd spend your hard earned elsewhere!

Andrew

[slim123]

Looks to me that it's a bit reliant on the bolt going through the side biting into the sphere to get a grip, poss ok on the fronts but I cannot see it working too good on the rears.

My old (pleiades) tool has removed hundreds of spheres over the years, so I guess that if you got yourself one, removing 10 would be a doddle. Plus you could sell it on ebay afterwards and get most of the cash back.

Regards
Slim.

[Xaccers]

You could make a B&Q special for under £10

[ellevie]

I've heard consistently good reports about this little baby from Machine Mart,
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ter-wrench

Has anybody ever managed to break one of these ?

[andmcit]

Not yet, but I've been trying hard!!

Still bought a Pleiades wrench though - least with that you can larup seven
bells out of it without fear of anything ending up embedded in your forehead...

Andrew

[dan_the_v8man]

yes i've managed to break one

but to be fair and to its credit, it wasnt on a sphere and it had a scaffold pole over the handle which is to be expected really, but when desperation requires, such things must be tried

[uhn113x]

Looks to me that it's a bit reliant on the bolt going through the side biting into the sphere to get a grip, poss ok on the fronts but I cannot see it working too good on the rears.

I agree - it is a very poor design indeed, IMHO. The entire strap should be gripped. The bolt will get burred so it will not unscrew.

I made one from scrap about 10 years ago, based on the Pleiades one - works just fine.

[Edited - Plieades transposed]

[David W]

As DickieG says I would say the Pleiades tool or a very close copy is worth the money. The problem that is sometimes missed with the chain types is that they flex through a few degrees so you lose some motion and can't shock them with a hammer very well.

The handle angle is perfect on the Pleiades one as mentioned.

I have broken a link on the heavy chain type in the image.... using a length of scaffold pole on the end trying to do a pig of a BX rear sphere. When it went so did most of the skin on my hand.

David

[LeeDJC]

Thanks for the help

I think I'll opt for the pleides option. Sounds like it's worth paying the extra £££ for.

[CitroJim]

Thanks for the help

I think I'll opt for the pleides option. Sounds like it's worth paying the extra £££ for.

Yes, it is the only one that will shift the Activa Balancing Sphere and Rear Hydractive Sphere. They then practically fall off. Those two are particularly difficult due to their location and the very close vicinity of pipes and other impediments.