Club 80-90 Forums

I've used pliers for donkeys years no need messing about with zip ties or owt else!

agreed James , there seems to be some confusion here , you,me ,the op and a few other are talking about the scratty little springs and horseshoe clips, others are on about rhe main springs , but even those get hooked on then the shoes over the cyc's etc , dont see what the big problem is
mm

I have done this job a few times and the cup pin spring thing sometimes just happens, or you can spend ages on it, I came up with the cable tie trick as I was pulling my hair out trying to get it on Maybe some springs have more tension than others? For the main return springs if I fitted the cup/spring/pin first I used a long chunky flat screwdriver and pushed from beyond the brake shoe pushing towards the centre on the U shaped end of the spring til it popped over the hook.

I have thought it might be possible for two people could do it, one holds the two ends of the return springs then another from above pulls them together with long nosed mole grips and pops them over the hooks at the same time so the brake shoes remain centred and springs under even tension.

Adjustable pliers do the job for me, the ones where you can slide the pivot sideways. It means that you can grab the clip without the handles opening up too wide. Because the handles aren't too wide it's easier to hold the pliers whilst you push the spring (with your finger on the pin).

metalmick8y wrote:get a normal large pair of pliers and hold the clip end on , then pin in hole, hold with pinky , rest spring over said pin then should have said to orientate pin so the leg bit is say 12 ocklock-6 o'c then knowing this push retainer over it and turn a touch , dead easy after youve done it once,
m

Thats how I remember doing them, and as said, it does get easier the more you do them.

dugcati wrote:Sorry to hijack the thread...

California Dreamin wrote: Vise Grips
http://www.my-tool-shed.co.uk/p8828/Vis ... _info.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ugh? what ever happened to calling them mole grips?

Why were they ever called "Mole Grips"


Grip that Mole...

The name mole grips was discontinued under EU rules as it was felt that these timid little creatures (moles) were being unfairly exploited.

Actually 'mole' was purely a trade name in the same way that people often call vacuum cleaners hoovers.

CovKid wrote:The name mole grips was discontinued under EU rules as it was felt that these timid little creatures (moles) were being unfairly exploited.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found this on the "big" wiki = Mole grips were developed by Thomas Coughtrie in 1955, then managing director of M. K. Mole and Son.

( Yes I am bored at work today = not much going on ! )

Thanks to all for replies, esp the helpful ones not about wee furry blind animals,
and I now have the brake shoe retaining springs SORTED ! -- did it with little cable clips, doddle eventually!

jaylo

Just did mine yesterday - 3 seconds using a pair of ordinary pliers. Why are people having difficulty with this?

Jaylo. .. Wandering off topic is an. 80~90 thing
just live with it..

Some folks can have a problem and fix a problem, others need a hand I guess oldie.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:Just did mine yesterday - 3 seconds using a pair of ordinary pliers. Why are people having difficulty with this?

Lack of practice ?

Ian

First time I've had it off for years - and I've got arthritis!

Oldiebut goodie wrote:First time I've had it off for years - and I've got arthritis!

You can buy a tool for this, I know jk sell it.
I just used a deep12mm socket to push and turn the lock washer as I kept slipping with plyers and nipping my fingers.