Rear Spheres

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:05 pm

I brought Tim Leech's GTi auto home today to change the rear spheres.

One of them has almost rusted through its that bad. I can get this one to move though.

The other one will just not budge. I'm worried about hitting it too hard and damaging pipes or the cylinder itself.

I'm using the Pleiades tool which has never failed me before.

Any other advice?

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:34 pm

Dynamite!?

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:43 pm

I'm sure you've tried all this, but...

extension pipe on pleiades tool
try to start sphere off while suspension on high
sack of potatoes or suchlike in boot while suspension on high
tighten up slightly to break seal before loosening

if all else fails, phone Pleiades for advice (they told me to phone if I ever had trouble using their tool)

Failing that, maybe follow Tim's advice......

ellevie · Post by **ellevie** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:28 pm

I reckon this should sort you out Ian...
The coke can in the center is the real thing.
It's got to be a record for chain wrenches.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RECORD-chain-pipe ... dZViewItem

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:37 pm

Real problem on BX rear spheres is not to hold/budge hard enough on the spheres ...

Its always a lotteri if the cylinder & pipe will withstand the counterforce ...

- exactly what Ian is worried about. Because it could as well cost you a new cylinder and a new pipe.

Ian :
At times the only solution is to loosen and pull back the cylinder rubber gaiter and then counterhold with a pair of Stillson's - directly on end of the cylinder.
The cylinder will of course be marked - but to no consequence of the function.
Note the Stillson should only hold the cylinder while you are using the pleiades tool. The work then expands to a 2-man job of course.

An interesting point : look at the threads of both the cylinder and sphere - once the old sphere is off. You can clearly see the sphere was NOT stuck by corrosion. If you still think so - then fit th old seal on sphere and try figure where the boarder is for the LHM.
Right : the threads on both sphere and cylinder are within the LHM cavity

Meaning : its the old sphere seal holding the sphere that unbelieveable, incredible, insanely, tightly locked

A final point :
from own experiences I know at times the rear cylinder will not survive shifting a dumb old rusty bomb down there.
BX rear cylinders are rare and costly items at your stealer.
Instead purchase a Xantia berline non-hydractive rear cylinder (the type with 8mm threaded port).
They only need a smallish modification : the diameter of the pipe port stud is too large - and must be filed down to clear the BX subframe.
Aso you will have to re-use the old BX piston rod and rubber gaiter - as these Xantia parts are much shorter.

The Xantia cylinder would appear to be a bargain - compared to the cost of a BX cylinder.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:09 am

I've had this problem!

My chain wrench loosened the n/s sphere straightaway.
The chain wrench snapped on the o/s sphere.

Bought a new chain wrench from Halfrauds who said you wont snap this, if you do we will give your money back.
I did, and they did!

Solution was a heavy duty strap wrench on the 1/2 inch drive.
Apply plenty of torque and tap the sphere all around its circumference.
Several taps later it reluctantly moved!

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:10 am

PS Tapping was courtesy of a 1 lb Hammer.

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 2:50 am

Christ thats an impressive chain wrench!!!!

I've always found if the proper tool struggles, with car on high and engine running, sack of cement etc, large cold chisel, lump hammer, two or three big taps then use the tool. Never had one that wouldn't budge that way
Cheers
Chris G

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:48 am

Excellent chain wrench

I am of the tapping with a hammer around the circumference then putting plenty of ballast in the boot (I did some Xantia ones a couple of years ago and had a whole family in their boot

) I have also warmed the area around the threads up with a gas flame.
Stewart

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:00 am

Bet your wishing you had volunteered now Ian! I know you like a challenge!

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:11 pm

One other tip when using the pleiades tool is to give the end of the bar some hammer blows to jar the sphere's thread.
This tip comes from the manufacturer by the way. You will need an extension bar to get a tough one like this to budge though.

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:26 pm

Did you manage to get the sphere off, Ian?

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:24 pm

No, its still firmly attached. Any more tips Bazza?

I've tried smacking it really hard both ways but the cylinder just moves. If i smack it anymore i'm going to damage the pipe or the cylinder.

What is a Stilson by the way?

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:38 pm

Ian_Fearn wrote:No, its still firmly attached. Any more tips Bazza?

I've tried smacking it really hard both ways but the cylinder just moves. If i smack it anymore i'm going to damage the pipe or the cylinder.

What is a Stilson by the way?

Alas, no. I did change my extremely rusty rears yesterday and thought of you while I had a bit of a struggle with the n/s...

Without trying to teach my granny to suck eggs

, is this not a case of chucking a few sacks of potatoes and the family in the boot while it's on high? Anything to put enough weight in the back to stop that cylinder moving?

Failing that a quick call to Pleiades tomorrow morning....

Good luck - it WILL move!!!

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:41 pm

I might try putting some fat b4st4rds in the boot....