Pipe wrench/stilson for outer tie rod end removal

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Aye, thanks for the encouragement! It took me about an hour to get the droplink off, it was kind of exhausting lol. It fought me over every 1mm turn! The droplink looks original to the car, so not a bad thing putting a new one on. I'll pick one up later this afternoon from GSF.

What i didn't know is that there is a 17mm spanner hold on the back, i had a mole grip on it tearing away at the rubber. I'm posting a picture of the droplink to remind myself of this at a later time.

View attachment 454261

I have an unknown make - found it at an autojumble - Footprint copy but with jaws only about half as wide which works great on these flats. Not all have these flats, some have a female hexagonal hole in the end of the threaded bit - so you can use the likes of an Allen key - but it's a silly idea because once the threads have rusted the wee hexagon doesn't allow a big enough tool to be used to resist the turning. My footprint copy has the same "gets tighter the more you lean on it" action that a genuine footprint wrench has so bites in well to the back of the joint. I find these, if they've been on the car for a long time, are often solid so, if I'm fitting a new drop link, I just take the nut off with my angle grinder.

 

[AnthonyH]

I have an unknown make - found it at an autojumble - Footprint copy but with jaws only about half as wide which works great on these flats. Not all have these flats, some have a female hexagonal hole in the end of the threaded bit - so you can use the likes of an Allen key - but it's a silly idea because once the threads have rusted the wee hexagon doesn't allow a big enough tool to be used to resist the turning. My footprint copy has the same "gets tighter the more you lean on it" action that a genuine footprint wrench has so bites in well to the back of the joint. I find these, if they've been on the car for a long time, are often solid so, if I'm fitting a new drop link, I just take the nut off with my angle grinder.

I've seen some mechanics on youtube that take a droplink off automatically with an angle grinder, they buzz them and wouldn't spend 10 minutes let alone an hour like i did earlier today. I've never actually changed a droplink, only taken off a single nut, so I don't mind seeing what they are like on the floor.

I picked up a new droplink from GSF, i paid double for the privilege of picking it up today, on ebay i can get them for £7-8, but I paid £15. It now gives me the option of doing more later today or tomorrow.

Thinking about mole grips i'd like some narrow jaw ones like you have, i know we were discussing mole grips a while ago and I had a look then, but didn't buy.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I've seen some mechanics on youtube that take a droplink off automatically with an angle grinder, they buzz them and wouldn't spend 10 minutes let alone an hour like i did earlier today. I've never actually changed a droplink, only taken off a single nut, so I don't mind seeing what they are like on the floor.

Very destructive of course but the angle grinder deals with it very quickly - as long as you don't want to refit it later. Of course you can get "creative" and grind just the side out of a nut to release it.

I picked up a new droplink from GSF, i paid double for the privilege of picking it up today, on ebay i can get them for £7-8, but I paid £15. It now gives me the option of doing more later today or tomorrow.

GSF seem, from comments I've read, to have a better reputation than ECP? The only branch I know of up here was in Glasgow, but i don't think it's there any more.

Thinking about mole grips i'd like some narrow jaw ones like you have, i know we were discussing mole grips a while ago and I had a look then, but didn't buy.

Maybe you're going off on a tangent here Anthony? We'd been talking about Stilsons vs Mole grips somewhere previously and pointing out that Stilsons grip tighter the more you lean on them whereas Moles have no ability to increase grip so are more likely to slip under high loadings. Then, above, I mentioned Footprint wrenches which are much more akin to a Stilson in the way it grips in that the harder you lean on it the more it "digs in".

Compare these Moles:

Which are basically pliers which you can lock on so they don't fall off the workpiece when you let go of the handles. But the important thing is that the locking force depends on how you adjust that big screw but once set and locked on the clamping effect doesn't change. Don't get me wrong, very useful tools, I use them a lot for holding stuff in place when welding. The handle often makes a good place to anchor the earth clamp.

Now here's a couple of Footprint types:

You set the distance between the serrated jaws by unscrewing the pivot screw and selecting the nearest suitable hole, then reinstalling the screw. The rod/nut/bolt/whatever is located between the jaws and, looking at them as in the picture, you'd move squeeze the handles together, just like pliers, and then move the handles to the left - ie, turning the fixing in a clockwise direction. if the fixing resists turning then the teeth dig in more the harder you try to turn it. If you want to turn something anticlockwise you would turn thr tool over so the jaws are facing the other way, just like a Stilson. These tools, although working a bit like pliers because they "dig in" the harder you lean on them will undo stuff ordinary pliers and Moles will slip on.

I was mentioning the pattern made one's I bought in the autojumble? they are actually the pair on the left. I've looked closely and whereas the Footprints are clearly marked as such the other pair simply have a very small circle of writing on the top jaw - you can see it in the picture - which says "Made in Sheffield". Which I rather like as that may mean they are quite good quality - the teeth certainly seem well hardened! However I was mentioning somewhere above how useful that "cheapo" pair were because their jaws are much thinner so can get in between the ball joint and antiroll bar (or strut plate) to hold and stop it rotating while undoing the fixing nut on drop links. Look here at the difference in the width of the jaws and you'll see what I mean:

Genuine Footprint on the right and the "cheapo" on the right. Most of the time the wider footprint jaws are actually an asset so they see much more use, but just every now and again the narrow jaws shown here come in very useful. You'll notice whoever owned them before me has lost the proper pivot screw on the cheapo ones and replaced it with a dexion nut and bolt. I've been meaning to do something about replacing it with something more appropriate and "classy". Now I'm a bit less mobile "running in" my new hip it seems like an exellent opportunity to search through my boxes of fixings and select something nice to complement it.

Narrow jawed "pointy" Mole grips? yes, they can be very useful in appropriate circumstances but a situation such as the problem with rusty drop link nuts they'd be about as much use as a ? well, you name it!

 

[AnthonyH]

Very destructive of course but the angle grinder deals with it very quickly - as long as you don't want to refit it later. Of course you can get "creative" and grind just the side out of a nut to release it.

I had to use an angle grinder when the last strut was off the car, to get the mount off, the ball bearings went everywhere. So i'm somewhat aware theres a good and bad way of using them lol.

GSF seem, from comments I've read, to have a better reputation than ECP? The only branch I know of up here was in Glasgow, but i don't think it's there any more.

As far as i'm aware GSF stock car parts that ECP don't, the prices are OK if you need things in a hurry too. They have a network of vans that deliver to garages in most places.

Maybe you're going off on a tangent here Anthony? We'd been talking about Stilsons vs Mole grips somewhere previously and pointing out that Stilsons grip tighter the more you lean on them whereas Moles have no ability to increase grip so are more likely to slip under high loadings. Then, above, I mentioned Footprint wrenches which are much more akin to a Stilson in the way it grips in that the harder you lean on it the more it "digs in".

Compare these Moles:

View attachment 454286

Which are basically pliers which you can lock on so they don't fall off the workpiece when you let go of the handles. But the important thing is that the locking force depends on how you adjust that big screw but once set and locked on the clamping effect doesn't change. Don't get me wrong, very useful tools, I use them a lot for holding stuff in place when welding. The handle often makes a good place to anchor the earth clamp.

Now here's a couple of Footprint types:

View attachment 454288

You set the distance between the serrated jaws by unscrewing the pivot screw and selecting the nearest suitable hole, then reinstalling the screw. The rod/nut/bolt/whatever is located between the jaws and, looking at them as in the picture, you'd move squeeze the handles together, just like pliers, and then move the handles to the left - ie, turning the fixing in a clockwise direction. if the fixing resists turning then the teeth dig in more the harder you try to turn it. If you want to turn something anticlockwise you would turn thr tool over so the jaws are facing the other way, just like a Stilson. These tools, although working a bit like pliers because they "dig in" the harder you lean on them will undo stuff ordinary pliers and Moles will slip on.

I was mentioning the pattern made one's I bought in the autojumble? they are actually the pair on the left. I've looked closely and whereas the Footprints are clearly marked as such the other pair simply have a very small circle of writing on the top jaw - you can see it in the picture - which says "Made in Sheffield". Which I rather like as that may mean they are quite good quality - the teeth certainly seem well hardened! However I was mentioning somewhere above how useful that "cheapo" pair were because their jaws are much thinner so can get in between the ball joint and antiroll bar (or strut plate) to hold and stop it rotating while undoing the fixing nut on drop links. Look here at the difference in the width of the jaws and you'll see what I mean:

View attachment 454289

Genuine Footprint on the right and the "cheapo" on the right. Most of the time the wider footprint jaws are actually an asset so they see much more use, but just every now and again the narrow jaws shown here come in very useful. You'll notice whoever owned them before me has lost the proper pivot screw on the cheapo ones and replaced it with a dexion nut and bolt. I've been meaning to do something about replacing it with something more appropriate and "classy". Now I'm a bit less mobile "running in" my new hip it seems like an exellent opportunity to search through my boxes of fixings and select something nice to complement it.

Narrow jawed "pointy" Mole grips? yes, they can be very useful in appropriate circumstances but a situation such as the problem with rusty drop link nuts they'd be about as much use as a ? well, you name it!

Ahhh, i wasn't going off on a tangent, i didn't understand that "footprint" was a type of wrench. I've not heard of them before, so when you said "footprint copy" I assumed it was just your way of using language! I can see the difference now, so thanks for the explanation, if you get around to changing out the dexion nut any time soon then i'd like a look.

I had a little time to work on the car this afternoon before it got dark. The darker it got the more I found myself dropping things and having to scrabble around under the car to find them lol. So not looking forward to the clocks changing this weekend.

Anyway, the wiper blades came off, i'd previously got a kind of extractor tool, not sure what they are called to pull/push real hard because they weren't coming off otherwise. And I managed to loosen the mount nut so it only has a few threads left before it'll drop off.

I think its dry, sunny and mild tomorrow. So all set for some car repairs. How are you doing with your mobility? I fell over and hurt my knee a few days ago, i've been limping since then, its a bit painful but will pass in a week or two hopefully.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

As far as i'm aware GSF stock car parts that ECP don't, the prices are OK if you need things in a hurry too. They have a network of vans that deliver to garages in most places.

Although I've never used them, that's the impression I have of them.

Ahhh, i wasn't going off on a tangent, i didn't understand that "footprint" was a type of wrench. I've not heard of them before, so when you said "footprint copy" I assumed it was just your way of using language! I can see the difference now, so thanks for the explanation, if you get around to changing out the dexion nut any time soon then i'd like a look.

Good and useful tools in certain circumstances are these footprint wrenches

I had a little time to work on the car this afternoon before it got dark. The darker it got the more I found myself dropping things and having to scrabble around under the car to find them lol. So not looking forward to the clocks changing this weekend.

What's not to like? extra hour in bed!

I think its dry, sunny and mild tomorrow. So all set for some car repairs. How are you doing with your mobility? I fell over and hurt my knee a few days ago, i've been limping since then, its a bit painful but will pass in a week or two hopefully.

Weather forecast pretty good up here until later on tomorrow afternoon then rain. Much like today which was bright and sunny for much of the day but started raining quite heavily about an hour or two ago. Set to clear up and be dry around midnight on though.

Thanks for inquiring about the hip it's going very well indeed. Operation was on the 9th so now about 2.5 weeks into it. I learned my lesson regarding doing all the exercises when my knees were done 18 years ago - DO THE EXERCISES and then some I was told and it worked, I have the best flexion in my knees of anyone with replacement knees I know - and I can even kneel, with slight pain, and I don't know anyone with replacement knees who can do that. So I have aggressively done the exercises - I was up on my feet twice on the day after the op (but that did hurt), walked around my room with a zimmer frame and walked to the nurses station in the corridor the next day. Then home the day after. So I was in the hospital for 3 days and two overnights. By the end of the first week I was walking around the house with two sticks and getting up and down the stairs one step at a time. By the start of the second week I was walking around the house with just one stick and walked two houses down the road outside with two sticks. By the end of last week I had parked the sticks in the vestibule and was getting around indoors without them at all. I'm extending my outside walks, still with two sticks but not to take the weight just for added stability (I could probably do it without them). Painwise I was on all sorts of painkillers to start and it hurt quite a lot. Could only sleep on my back and couldn't sit on the loo at all (developed a very "interesting" way of "hovering"). The hospital arranged a zimmer frame and the sticks as well as a toilet frame which has arms like an armchair - Mrs J has started calling it my "throne". It's the most useful thing apart from the sticks because you can support your weight on your elbows and forearms. Now all the major pain has gone and I've cut back greatly on the painkillers, it's just like bruising pain now. The wound is healing beautifully and cleanly I can sit on the loo if I'm careful to position myself carefully and I can now sleep on my left side with a pillow between my legs or on my back which is a great help. To day I went my longest walk so far. Up to the main road on one side of the street then part way back on the other went straight on past one friend's house and round by the pedestianized bit of our estate, on past some more friend's houses and then back in a loop round the other street to home. I was out for a bit less than an hour and although it left me feeling quite tired I also felt refreshed to have been out in the fresh air. I was worried I might suffer pains because of it but I'm absolutely fine. Be interesting to find out if I'm a bit stiff in the morning. I'm still doing the exercises - front leg lift, which was easy from the start. Rear leg extension which was not so easy and hurt quite a bit. Side "abduction" which was very difficult and hurt like billy-o but I can now do no bother. End of next week I'm going to arrange some physio therapy sessions because the foot is pointing inwards (pidgeon toed) slightly and he says this can be corrected with exercises. So, I don't think it could possibly be going any better and I'm guessing I'll be fine to get back behind the wheel at the six week target time. Being appraised by the consultant surgeon in week 5 so I'll very much take his advice on this. I'm very slightly concerned by a wee niggly pain in my right knee but i had pains going on allover the place in my right leg before the op - which the doc said was referred pain and should go after the op - and, mostly, these pains have gone. I acn always ask the physio if this one persists. Overall to say I'm delighted would be an understatement.

Edit: By far and away the worst thing now is having to inject myself every night with the clot busting injection which is quite "stingy" for about 10 minutes after you've done it - a lot better than getting DVT though I suppose eh?

 

[AnthonyH]

Although I've never used them, that's the impression I have of them.

Good and useful tools in certain circumstances are these footprint wrenches

What's not to like? extra hour in bed!

Weather forecast pretty good up here until later on tomorrow afternoon then rain. Much like today which was bright and sunny for much of the day but started raining quite heavily about an hour or two ago. Set to clear up and be dry around midnight on though.

Thanks for inquiring about the hip it's going very well indeed. Operation was on the 9th so now about 2.5 weeks into it. I learned my lesson regarding doing all the exercises when my knees were done 18 years ago - DO THE EXERCISES and then some I was told and it worked, I have the best flexion in my knees of anyone with replacement knees I know - and I can even kneel, with slight pain, and I don't know anyone with replacement knees who can do that. So I have aggressively done the exercises - I was up on my feet twice on the day after the op (but that did hurt), walked around my room with a zimmer frame and walked to the nurses station in the corridor the next day. Then home the day after. So I was in the hospital for 3 days and two overnights. By the end of the first week I was walking around the house with two sticks and getting up and down the stairs one step at a time. By the start of the second week I was walking around the house with just one stick and walked two houses down the road outside with two sticks. By the end of last week I had parked the sticks in the vestibule and was getting around indoors without them at all. I'm extending my outside walks, still with two sticks but not to take the weight just for added stability (I could probably do it without them). Painwise I was on all sorts of painkillers to start and it hurt quite a lot. Could only sleep on my back and couldn't sit on the loo at all (developed a very "interesting" way of "hovering"). The hospital arranged a zimmer frame and the sticks as well as a toilet frame which has arms like an armchair - Mrs J has started calling it my "throne". It's the most useful thing apart from the sticks because you can support your weight on your elbows and forearms. Now all the major pain has gone and I've cut back greatly on the painkillers, it's just like bruising pain now. The wound is healing beautifully and cleanly I can sit on the loo if I'm careful to position myself carefully and I can now sleep on my left side with a pillow between my legs or on my back which is a great help. To day I went my longest walk so far. Up to the main road on one side of the street then part way back on the other went straight on past one friend's house and round by the pedestianized bit of our estate, on past some more friend's houses and then back in a loop round the other street to home. I was out for a bit less than an hour and although it left me feeling quite tired I also felt refreshed to have been out in the fresh air. I was worried I might suffer pains because of it but I'm absolutely fine. Be interesting to find out if I'm a bit stiff in the morning. I'm still doing the exercises - front leg lift, which was easy from the start. Rear leg extension which was not so easy and hurt quite a bit. Side "abduction" which was very difficult and hurt like billy-o but I can now do no bother. End of next week I'm going to arrange some physio therapy sessions because the foot is pointing inwards (pidgeon toed) slightly and he says this can be corrected with exercises. So, I don't think it could possibly be going any better and I'm guessing I'll be fine to get back behind the wheel at the six week target time. Being appraised by the consultant surgeon in week 5 so I'll very much take his advice on this. I'm very slightly concerned by a wee niggly pain in my right knee but i had pains going on allover the place in my right leg before the op - which the doc said was referred pain and should go after the op - and, mostly, these pains have gone. I acn always ask the physio if this one persists. Overall to say I'm delighted would be an understatement.

Sounds really positive, top stuff! I've re-read a couple of times and the important thing that comes across is that you're busy and energetic with it, a positive attitude even to the pain makes it all go faster and better. I have no doubt you'll be back behind the wheel as planned. Be sure to post when you go for your first drive!! And where you go!!

I enjoy being outdoors, there's really something about fresh air, even if its cool or windy, which is different from indoors. There must be some kind of endorphin rush, or extra vitamin d, i'm not sure, but there's rarely a time I don't like going into some greenery. Even just doing the car in the driveway counts as fresh air to me. I come back in the house with a little extra energy, despite probably being a bit more tired.

I'm glad its all good for you. And keep up the good work.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Sounds really positive, top stuff! I've re-read a couple of times and the important thing that comes across is that you're busy and energetic with it, a positive attitude even to the pain makes it all go faster and better. I have no doubt you'll be back behind the wheel as planned. Be sure to post when you go for your first drive!! And where you go!!

I enjoy being outdoors, there's really something about fresh air, even if its cool or windy, which is different from indoors. There must be some kind of endorphin rush, or extra vitamin d, i'm not sure, but there's rarely a time I don't like going into some greenery. Even just doing the car in the driveway counts as fresh air to me. I come back in the house with a little extra energy, despite probably being a bit more tired.

I'm glad its all good for you. And keep up the good work.

First drive will almost certainly be a supermarket shopping trip. If that goes well then next will be out into Midlothian to see the grandchildren who are asking what's happened to Granny and Granddad and when can they go swimming again. Don't think the swimming will be happening on that first visit though.

Totally agree with you about the outdoors - and I think we have a kindred spirit in @StevenRB45 down Newcastle way? Anything which takes me outside, doing the car, gardening, going for a walk, etc really lifts my spirits. I remember being in the Royal infirmary when I got the knees done - I was in for much longer than for the hip - and looking out the window at the new bio whatsit centre being built and landscaped further up the hill and imagining myself walking along through the newly planted saplings. I tried to do it on the day I got out but was turned away as it was still a construction site.

 

[StevenRB45]

I spend far too much time in my working life sitting down looking at a screen...so any opportunity not to be I'm away.

That and of course my dad wrecked his back before retirement so now can barely walk a few miles so there's definitely a case for if you want to go and enjoy something do it now you may not be able to later.

Also helps to exhaust a 6 year old...

It's half term this week...I predict by around Wednesday he'll be asking to stay in and play Xbox .

 

[AnthonyH]

The job had gone ok today, the strut bolts needed a 60cm breaker bar to shift them, but eventually it came off. The old spring and new mount went on the new strut.

However i was putting the new strut on, and being a cheap ebay one, the ABS wire was a bit too big for its holder, so i forced it on and gouged the nail on my thumb. So i'm now on a pain break...nothing serious but its really sore, so sore i took pain killers. Ouch!

Blood seems to have stopped so i'm going to carry on.

 

[bugsymike]

However i was putting the new strut on, and being a cheap ebay one, the ABS wire was a bit too big for its holder, so i forced it on and gouged the nail on my thumb. So i'm now on a pain break...nothing serious but its really sore, so sore i took pain killers. Ouch!

Blood seems to have stopped so i'm going to carry on.

Such a brave soldier, did your wife give you a lollypop.

 

[AnthonyH]

Such a brave soldier, did your wife give you a lollypop.

She put the plaster on, and gave me the painkillers lol.

The job is done. I took it for a drive and the boinging has gone, yay.

I videotaped the shock, it still works but not so quickly!

I can see the tyres have some toe-in wear now, so 6mm alteration was too much. So i'll need to re-do that soonish.

I repaired some monkey damage on my other car. Yes really, monkey damage. The missus went to Knowsley Safari Park and drove through the monkey enclosure. And this blighter bent some of the trim! Apart from leaving mucky hand and footprints