14 replies to this topic

[ChrisG10]

Is it really that difficult to get hold off one!!!
I've been to all the shops in the area to buy one and they don't have it.
Even resorted going to Granddads and borrowing a 9/32 spanner.. Even he didnt have one! Though I found out he had a lathe! Ohh FUN!
Is it a common size??
Why would rover use it on the rear brake bleed nipple?

[L400RAS]

Who told you it is a 9/32" ? I just used the closest metric size - think it was around 7-8mm...and even mole-grips in the past. They shouldn't be tight so risk of rounding them off is low.

edit:
minispares states all rear bleed nipples are 1/4" AF...
minispares

Edited by L400RAS, 24 August 2011 - 10:53 AM.

[Tommyboy12]

Ive used 7mm spanners with no problem.

[midridge2]

http://www.primetool...ucts&cat=search

[R1minimagic]

There's loads of them on ebay.....

[dklawson]

As above, use 7mm for 9/32". 7mm is 0.006" smaller than 9/32" but is close enough for most purposes.

[ChrisG10]

yeah i got a socket set with 9/32 and that fits perfectly.

[ChrisG10]

I just tried the 1/4 but that dont work.

[ChrisG10]

I would try molegrips. but not sure they will turn it.. does seem pretty tight.. my adjustable wont do it!

[dklawson]

No... 1/4" won't work. 1/4" is smaller 1/32" smaller than 9/32" and .025" smaller than 7mm.

The conversion is 1 inch = 25.4mm.

[ChrisG10]

Yep i used the conversion on my phone :L and my dad does it in his head

[ibrooks]

You've got a socket that fits and an adjustable spanner - what's the problem? Use the socket to crack it off and then use the adjustable whilst you are actually bleeding the brakes. You should be able to nip it back up enough with the adjustable to seal and if you think it still needs futher tightening go back to the socket.

Iain

[asahartz]

It should be 1/4" but some aftermarket bleed nipples are 7mm. Ring spanner works best I find. I have a proper single-hex bleed nipple spanner (and that's 7mm too) but it's too bulky to fit!

[Dan]

It's hard to find because fixings that small are very rarely labelled in their AF size. They are generally used for instrumentation and precision fittings and so are sold under the BA (British Association) range of sizes. It is proper use of British Standard to quote BA sizes for anything with a thread under 1/4". You are looking for a 3BA spanner. BA spanners I believe have a closer tollerance to the size of the fastener than AF or Whitworth sizes so as to avoid damaging small fixings and hence the use of the different name range.

[bmcecosse]

Certainly don't use Mole Grips.........you will snap it off!