Hi guys, anyone know what sort of tool I need to fit the split rings to hold the boots on the track control arms on the Cossie. Some people supply cable ties with them which are pretty useless so I want to put the proper metal rings on but I can't open them enough to fit them.
Is it some of those split ring pliers that jewellers use that I need? There doesn't seem to be a tool on E-BAY in the car related tools area.

 

Like CV boot wire crimp things ?

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/CVJ-Boo...-Sealey-VS1633

 

No, I've got some of those. You know on track control arms you have the joint on the end with the rubber boot on that goes into the bottom of the hub, that boot is usually held on by a split ring, like you get on keyrings. I need a tool to be able to open those out so I can get them on.

 

Ahh right, not sure on that, never had to change them.

Will they not just un-pick and pull off with a small pick or something ? They would be more springy than a key ring ?

 

I can get the old ones off but not the new ones on.

 

Just normal punchers clamp them clips up fine you don't need a special tool

 

Like these on eBay 300938315266

 

It's not that I'm after though, it's the little track rod end style boots that I need to secure (although it's the track control arm ones).

 

Its a tool to put these ring on I'm after.

 

I've been a mechanic for over 20 years and I didn't know there was a tool for them lol, In fact we use wire instead of the supplied cable ties and twist it tight then cut off the end. Would some small circlip pliers work? Sorry couldn't be more help

 

Maybe that's the way I should go. How do they put them on in the first place I wonder?

 

I think they wind on like a cork screw, that's how I did mine

 

I can't quite tell what the ring is supposed to look like but i have these at work for driveshaft/gearbox circlips split rings. Ebay item no 171137095203.

 

I thought you was talking about the metal clips on the other end like you get on cv boots

 

I done this about 25yrs ago but since then I have just changed the complete thing, and from memory I'm sure I used a tapered piece of plastic tube (don't ask me where I got it!) you then slide it down from the thin end and it expands the clip, then you push it off the end and onto the rubber boot.

 

I think someone told me on a lemforder suspension course we went on that they make thousands at a time and everything is done in a machine so I imagine the machine just clamps the ring on. With the twisted wire we use we haven't had one pop off as of yet. Hope u Manage to get it sorted mate

 

That's a good idea. A joiner may be able to turn one up in wood or similar in a metal shop

 

Now there's an idea. Perhaps a strong funnel cut up to the right size.

 

Some great suggestions here, thanks guys.

 

It obviously also needs to be hollow with the insternal diameter just large enough to fit over the widest part of th boot.

 

Ahh. What I use is two cut lengths of 3/16 brake pipe, about 2-3inches long. Put one over each of the open ends of the keyring type clip. Push both together and the clip expands allowing you to fit it over the ball joint boot. Release and hey presto!

 

today's top tip

 

Yeah as above a couple of bits of brake pipe, thats what we were supplied with all our boots

 

Now that's a brilliant tip, thanks mate. There's always someone who knows!

 

I'm going to get some stick here.....
When I was a lad I used to help the local farmers with lambing. Part of this was to castrate them. To do this a small rubber band was stretched over its bollocks and released. To do this a tool called an elastrator was used. It's either 3 or 4 prongs that open up with a small Ridge so the ring doesn't fly off.
I had to do the front ball joints on a vw transporter and I bought one of these tools to do the clips and it worked perfectly. I did think about electricians cable label stretchers too but the elastrator has a little groove.


http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELASTRATOR-C...295?nav=SEARCH