24 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

I believe the U.K. term for the tool shown above is/are "mole grips".  
 
How/where would you use mole grips when removing ball joints?  If you cut anything there will still be a tapered pin in the suspension arms and that still has to come out.

The proper name is vice grips. 'Mole' is the name of the company that originally made them, but every tool company makes (crap) copies. Kinda like Stanley knives, every retractable knife is referred to as a Stanley knife even when not made by Stanley

Anyway...that's just useless knowledge and slightly off topic haha

Edited by adam_93rio, 29 December 2013 - 11:07 PM.

[dennismini93]

yeah i have a pair of them but too small. i'll try the scissor thing then see what happens. thanks everyone for your help :)

[dklawson]

The proper name is vice grips. 'Mole' is the name of the company that originally made them, 

 

Thanks for that.  I find it a bit odd though.  Vice-Grips is a trademark name currently owned by Irwin Tools.  For years when I referred to that type of tool as Vice-Grips, people on U.K. message boards told me they were not familiar with them until someone substituted the term "Mole Grips".   For what it's worth, most people over here have Chinese copies of Vice-Grips since the real product is substantially more expensive.

[adam_93rio]

The proper name is vice grips. 'Mole' is the name of the company that originally made them, 

 
Thanks for that.  I find it a bit odd though.  Vice-Grips is a trademark name currently owned by Irwin Tools.  For years when I referred to that type of tool as Vice-Grips, people on U.K. message boards told me they were not familiar with them until someone substituted the term "Mole Grips".   For what it's worth, most people over here have Chinese copies of Vice-Grips since the real product is substantially more expensive.

I suppose it doesn't matter what you call them as long as someone knows what you're talking about haha. I have a set of mole grips, amongst many cheaper sets, these are the best quality even though they are the oldest set too

[dennismini93]

so i had another go today, i ask my mates if anyone had the scissor thing before i bought one and no one did but one of them gave me an old school tuning fork. seeing as there was nothing to loose i gave it ago and they split first time this one was made from proper metal and didnt even scratch let alone split, sorry halfrauds but im getting one of these :)

[dklawson]

I have used the pickle forks when necessary.  They do work but I really hate to resort to them.  They always cut the rubber bits associated with a joint and I am not always planning on replacing joints when I take things apart.

[Dan]

Now that you've done it, say again why you're doing it? I don't get why you can't pull the shafts as the engine rises and pop them in as it drops. That's all I do, you don't have to fight the springs.

[dennismini93]

Now that you've done it, say again why you're doing it? I don't get why you can't pull the shafts as the engine rises and pop them in as it drops. That's all I do, you don't have to fight the springs.

i did that on the way out and it didnt pop out. i only had one in but it was almost imposible to get out. i just thought it would be easier if they were out, more  room as well. my dad asked the same question so i let him have a go on the last engine and we couldnt do it

[Dan]

  You pull them out at the pot joints.  Leave the shafts assembled, with the engine still fitted pop the pot joints off their circlips but don't try to pull them out.  Then as it comes up drop the short shaft first which gives enough swing to pull the long one.  No need to fight the springs, in fact the car should still be on its wheels.  Were you trying to get the shafts fully out, or leave them fitted to the engine or something?  They stay in the car.

[dennismini93]

  You pull them out at the pot joints.  Leave the shafts assembled, with the engine still fitted pop the pot joints off their circlips but don't try to pull them out.  Then as it comes up drop the short shaft first which gives enough swing to pull the long one.  No need to fight the springs, in fact the car should still be on its wheels.  Were you trying to get the shafts fully out, or leave them fitted to the engine or something?  They stay in the car.

i took them out out. to get pot joints out u need cir clip pliers, seemed like easiest of the two for me to do