Hi All

Last year I decided to give up wrecking chain wrenches and using cold chisels to remove spheres. Bought a nice new metal clamp sphere removal tool from a heavenly supplier. Tonight I started on my second cars worth of spheres, fitted the clamp to the first sphere, tightened the lock nut and with a twang the metal strap fractured right across. Close examination showed the centre half of the strap was a slag inclusion rolled into the steel bar on manufacture of the bar and not anything to do with the design or manufacture of the clamp. I now have to decide if it is worth trying to get the ends cleaned up and welded so I have a tool to use at the weekend or send it back to the supplier and wait and see whether they will repair or replace it.

Regards

XMexc

Hi XMExc.

I know what you mean about wrecking chain wrenches --- until I discovered SuperChainWrench !! Forged handle around ten inches or so and serious chain -- definitely not of the bicycle persuausion. What a tool. Only drawback is access can be tricky in some spots due to relative bulk. The thing I've always wondered about the specific removal tools is their propensity to skid ?

Mike.

I've had a go at making my own from an old table leg and some flat bar. Looks useable but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. May try it soon when I get around to checking over the hydraulics. Buying the welder cost a bob or two though.

Steve.

Hello readers

Here is my (well worn) sphere removal tool made many years ago out of a large bolt and some scrap seat belt webbing along the design of the common oil filter strap wrench.
I have used it successfully on all the Citroens I have owned including a GS, 2 x CX's, a DS and my current XM. It does not chew up the sphere like a chain wrench might - useful if you intend to get them done up and recharged.
The bolt used was 30mm A/F X 20mm diameter with an unththreaded length of about 115mm. The only skill required to make it is the ability to cut a neat parallel slot in the bolt shank just wide enough to take a double thickness of belt webbing.

Regards Ken Hall

PS I have tried to add a picture but not sure whether it has worked!

Hi All

Just to update on my original comments. Telephoned the sphere wrench supplier, new one in the post as a replacement under their 2 year warrantee. He said it was the first they had ever had to replace a defective one.

Regards

XMexc