Sphere removal tool

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 2:30 pm

Having seen much discussion over time of what people use for removing spheres, I thought I would show what I use, and its never failed.
It is in fact a plumbers pipe wrench, comes in about 3 different sizes, not cheap (about £25) but it has never failed to remove one.

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 3:42 pm

That one looks almost identical to the one I use, which came from a car accessory shop in France a number of years ago.
Stewart

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:50 pm

I've never failed with the Pleiades tool. Not cheap at around 40quid but breaking loads of chain wrenches makes up for it.

Gareth Wales · Post by **Gareth Wales** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:55 pm

So, Ken, where can we get one?

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 7:21 pm

This is the strap wrench I use it has never failed me, It is german made.

Grace · Post by **Grace** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 7:40 pm

Another possible is a Boa strap tool (less than a tenner).

You could make something similar from an old cam belt and a suitable piece of tubing or stout wood.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 7:46 pm

I got this one from a tool/plumbers merchant in Leeds, but I'm sure they'll be available nationwide from all good tool merchants.

HowieD · Post by **HowieD** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:09 pm

ken newbold wrote:Having seen much discussion over time of what people use for removing spheres, I thought I would show what I use, and its never failed.
It is in fact a plumbers pipe wrench, comes in about 3 different sizes, not cheap (about £25) but it has never failed to remove one.

I have one similar and it works better with a section of bike inner tube wrapped around the sphere.

Regards

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:28 am

I understand the Citroen-approved tool of some years back was a Facom chain wrench - an ex-Citroen mechanic I have used in Fareham demonstrated his to me some time back, and I'm sure the BX workshop manual illustrates one in use.

The Pleiades tool I bought a couple of years back on Ebay has served me well, backed up with additional use of a large stilson (braced against the ground to anchor rotating rear cylinders), appreciation of opposing forces, gravity, and patience! I also created an impromptou but effective t-shaped extension bar for the tool by angle-grinding the bottom end off an upright from a folding exercise bike.

I've often thought that the larger boa-constrictor tool could do the job, as Grace confirms, though I'd be reluctant to trust it on a rear sphere.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:58 am

Sleepy's one looks like an Elora which is imported (or used to be) by Draper - who have an on-line catalogue.

The Citroen Hydarulic BX manual on Bob Smith's site shows a large chain wrench - I can't recall if its the double chain type.

I've used a Boa and have removed front spheres with it - I won't say more. I now have a device i made which is a band of steel welded on opposite sides of the hex bar from an old oil filter chain wrench - welded so that they 'wrap' when force is applied - never failed and doesn't fall off!

jeremy

roscoe · Post by **roscoe** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:39 am

I built one on the weekend from a 2' long piece of 3/4" iron pipe for the handle and a piece of 3/8" threaded rod bent around a sphere and inserted through two holes I drilled in the pipe with nuts/washers on the ends. Put it around a sphere, tighten the nuts up to snug the threaded rod onto the sphere and give it a good yank (or hit with a hammer if need be) and the spheres turn. Cost me $14 Aud and about 20 minutes or so of time.

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:28 pm

THe only problem with my giant chain wrench is that its chain is a very snug fit between the Acc sphere and the block, so I have been forced to use the hammer and chisel method sometimes.
Stewart

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:50 pm

I use my own set of these

5 spheres down and undefeated, and that includes one rear sphere (was a bit of an accident, i swang on it coing out from under the car and it came off in my hand!)

i find the boa's just spin on pretty much everything but the loosest of jar lids, they certainly have there place if you cant get a good hold of things, but i find them generally useless! That said, how big is a big one?

roll on the cheesy puns!

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:27 pm

Stewart, this chain wrench of mine will just go between the engine and acc on BX but not on the Xantia (cant blame it really)

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:43 pm

Why not put the chain wrench round the centre weld? - That's where you have to put the Boa or strap wrench.

Jeremy

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Sphere removal tool

Sphere removal tool

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