Useful tip for novices without many tools ...

[Submariner1]

having really struggled getting off this nut. Really constrained access, no room to use a socket ratchet and using a ring spanner, no clear visibility, upside down with your hand bent double ... with it slightly bent at an angle so it cleared the lower suspension arm and only circa 8 degrees of movement at a time ..... ugh!
This dam nut took nearly 30 mins to undo.

...... sure we have all been there!!

I always baulked at paying out for ratchet spanners, when I already the same sized combination spanner.

A real pain. So I got this with a flexible offset ratchet combi. From Cromwell Tools circa £11 20% off this month.


Absolute dream tool, I had the other rusty one off in 2 mins, and the new part back on in 1 minute.
The flexi end just made it perfect.

Note this post is not for all the experienced mechanic type posters, who have all the tools under the sun. But more for the inexperienced, who are trying to do jobs with a minimal tool outlay.
Sure its not Snap-On quality but works

So worth it. Wish I had got the set.!

Note there is a similar set that does three nut sizes in the same ratchet hole .. not sure how that works, and not for me, as I cant see how they cant grab the nut as well.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Cromwell Tools are boss... they do some very good stuff, nothing wrong with their Kennedy brand kit at all for the general home use level.

I'd also add, Aldi & Lidl tools when they're available are not shabby either, I got a 5-pack of ratchet ring sockets for £15 last year.

 

[LostKiwi]

A word of warning with ratchet spanners....
When undoing in a confined space make sure there is enough room to get the spanner and nut out or to get the spanner out when the nut is unwound. Its possible to get the spanner stuck on the nut (which is almost out and be unable to get either out....)
Even easier to get caught with bolts....

 

[V6Matty]

My cousin is actually the sales director for Cromwell tools, and although he works for them does actually rate them, he does freely admit their not the big boys but for cost they'll take on most manufacturers and come out well.

 

[Craiglxviii]

My cousin is actually the sales director for Cromwell tools, and although he works for them does actually rate them, he does freely admit their not the big boys but for cost they'll take on most manufacturers and come out well.

Not Wayne?

 

[LostKiwi]

My cousin is actually the sales director for Cromwell tools, and although he works for them does actually rate them, he does freely admit their not the big boys but for cost they'll take on most manufacturers and come out well.

Had a few Cromwell bits and bobs and always found them to be pretty reasonable. Not broken anything so thats always a good sign!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Had a few Cromwell bits and bobs and always found them to be pretty reasonable. Not broken anything so thats always a good sign!

I've run three different business on (mainly) Cromwell Tools' tools. An entire airline ran for over a decade on them.

 

[Submariner1]

Cromwell Tools are boss... they do some very good stuff, nothing wrong with their Kennedy brand kit at all for the general home use level.

I'd also add, Aldi & Lidl tools when they're available are not shabby either, I got a 5-pack of ratchet ring sockets for £15 last year.

Useful to know ... never heard of Kennedy before.
But it looks fairly well made.
Obviously for me not worth buying Snap On type quality but boy did it save oodles of time.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Good tip Sub

 

[Submariner1]

A word of warning with ratchet spanners....
When undoing in a confined space make sure there is enough room to get the spanner and nut out or to get the spanner out when the nut is unwound. Its possible to get the spanner stuck on the nut (which is almost out and be unable to get either out....)
Even easier to get caught with bolts....

Wow ... that is a seriously useful tip.
In this scenario, it is EXACTLY what would happen, but luckily the connector rod can be pulled out to allow one to take out the spanner with the nut in it.
I hadn't considered the implications, where the other part doesnt move and could trap the spanner ... hell there would be no way to screw the nut back on. ( as this is only reversible by flipping it over )
Maybe if you could get a bent needle into the side of the ratchet part, and slowly wind the nut back on ... but if its rusty, you are totally stuffed .. angle grinder job on a hardened tool
Could be a total nightmare.

 

[Submariner1]

Good tip Sub

Thanks I felt stupid posting such a basic thing.
But with 4 to do. 1/2 hour off and 1/2 hour back!
This could turn a 4 hour job into 15mins.

On that point anyone with ABC, really should look at those level sensor connector rods ball joints. (Especially cars that have been by the seaside)
I was stunned how siezed it was, ( I couldnt move it with pliers) and yet it must have moved when driven! It Must have been so close to snapping off the level sensor plastic! Arm.
My main dealer is good ... no complaints ever. But Apparently its not on any MB service schedule to grease them.
I know the theory of not greasing open moving things, attracting crap that wears a joint etc..
But hey early replacement due to wear, sure beats finding 4 wrecked level sensors!
I'll bet Craigs theory on the 500 bit in CL500 being £500 everytime you have a fault would be true!

 

[d215yq]

Half the fun is not buying the correct tool. Recently had to undo a battery clamp where the bolts were in a small crevice between battery and a bulkhead.

It being sunday so tool shop closed (and me not wanting to spend a tenner on the half inch extension for my socket set) I managed to make my own extension by finding a suitably sized table knife at the only hardware store open and my trusty wrench. It didn't even damage the knife which I still use

 

[V6Matty]

Not Wayne?

Nope, Chris L he's only been with them for a few years though

 

[Craiglxviii]

Nope, Chris L he's only been with them for a few years though

Ah fair enough. Not someone I know.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks I felt stupid posting such a basic thing.
But with 4 to do. 1/2 hour off and 1/2 hour back!
This could turn a 4 hour job into 15mins.

On that point anyone with ABC, really should look at those level sensor connector rods ball joints. (Especially cars that have been by the seaside)
I was stunned how siezed it was, ( I couldnt move it with pliers) and yet it must have moved when driven! It Must have been so close to snapping off the level sensor plastic! Arm.
My main dealer is good ... no complaints ever. But Apparently its not on any MB service schedule to grease them.
I know the theory of not greasing open moving things, attracting crap that wears a joint etc..
But hey early replacement due to wear, sure beats finding 4 wrecked level sensors!
I'll bet Craigs theory on the 500 bit in CL500 being £500 everytime you have a fault would be true!

It's proven empirically I tell you!

By the way, if you use oil or grease- it attracts dirt.

If you use PTFE spray- it doesn't.

 

[Submariner1]

It's proven empirically I tell you!

By the way, if you use oil or grease- it attracts dirt.

If you use PTFE spray- it doesn't.

Hmmm bought some quick drying 3 in 1 silicone oil spray .. for that .....says on the tin, it is OK for rubber (but discovered thats probably not true as if you wipe a cloth on rubber it goes black?? )
Would have got the PTFE spray but it had a mineral oil based carrier.

 

[s5tuart]

My tool kit consists of a bread knife and a hammer. I gave up spannering a long time ago after changing the exhaust on a Rover 3500 in the road outside my house! I vowed then, never again!

 

[Simon Barry]

Cromwell Tools are boss... they do some very good stuff, nothing wrong with their Kennedy brand kit at all for the general home use level.

I'd also add, Aldi & Lidl tools when they're available are not shabby either, I got a 5-pack of ratchet ring sockets for £15 last year.

They are cheaper this year £6.99 with free delivery.

 

[turbopete]

bought some quick drying 3 in 1 silicone oil spray .. for that .....says on the tin, it is OK for rubber (but discovered thats probably not true as if you wipe a cloth on rubber it goes black??

its fine. its only cleaning the rubber. when they overhaul brake calipers etc, its silicone grease they use on the seals as it prevents the rubber expanding.

 

[Submariner1]

its fine. its only cleaning the rubber. when they overhaul brake calipers etc, its silicone grease they use on the seals as it prevents the rubber expanding.

Thanks
Going to use it anyway, these open Level Sensors need boots really.
The new ones are like silk, so silicone cant hurt them rotate easily and stop rusting.
If they wear out then the next owner can change them.
I just dont want them snapping off the integrated level sensor arms.