61 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

The centre sheared out of the thrust block? Wow, I've not seen that before. As said above, the damage should be fairly limited as long as you can get it out.

I wonder if you could get a hole drllied/tapped in the centre of that and then fit a bolt with which to pull it out?

[A-Cell]

If you can grip it with the mole grips then that's looking good. Get hold of some plumbers arctic freeze spray and use it to freeze the broken piece. Hopefully it will make it just gat bit smaller so it will release. Freeze spray from Screwfix, they are open on Sunday mornings. Or Shock and Unlock spray from Halfords. Also open on Sunday.
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165594
Bit of wiggling and hey presto. Well that's the theory. Stay optimistic. There is always a way.

[Sheikh Pip]

You could try welding a piece of metal onto the broken off part, then you'd be able to get a better grip on it to pull it out, just don't weld the cranks threads...

[Carlos W]

As Dan said, it may be able to be turned out, with possibly a hammer and punch!

 

Obviously access is a big issue though!

[Dan]

  Tapping it round with a punch is probably where I'd go next too.

[greenwheels]

Ok, posting at the same time! Now I'm with you. That's really weird! You need to tell Mini Spares about this if it's one of the pullers they are now making, it's a strange failure and could cause a lot of trouble. It seems the thrust block is not to spec.

Can Mini Spares do a review on the design and manufacture of this part please. Us users need to have complete and total confidence in this item.

[The Matt]

I'm sure they can/will review either the design or supply, as long as they're informed of the issue by someone.

Ok, posting at the same time! Now I'm with you. That's really weird! You need to tell Mini Spares about this if it's one of the pullers they are now making, it's a strange failure and could cause a lot of trouble. It seems the thrust block is not to spec.

Can Mini Spares do a review on the design and manufacture of this part please. Us users need to have complete and total confidence in this item.

[[email protected]]

I'll speak to the manufacturers tomorrow, a very odd failure that I haven't seen before. This manufacturer has been producing these for over 20 years

[A-Cell]

Has the OP got the piece out yet? If so be nice to see a photo off the fracture.
Even better if the OP can send bits to Simon for a definitive explanation of the root cause.

[Carlos W]

I'd also like to know for definite whether the OP removed the washer behind the crank bolt before attempting to remove the flywheel?

 

It's odd that the flywheel moved a bit before the item failed

[Gremlin]

Maybe it moved, and then it broke?

[mrducati]

I wonder if you could get a hole drllied/tapped in the centre of that and then fit a bolt with which to pull it out?

 

 

If you can grip it with the mole grips then that's looking good. Get hold of some plumbers arctic freeze spray and use it to freeze the broken piece. Hopefully it will make it just gat bit smaller so it will release. Freeze spray from Screwfix, they are open on Sunday mornings. Or Shock and Unlock spray from Halfords. Also open on Sunday.
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165594
Bit of wiggling and hey presto. Well that's the theory. Stay optimistic. There is always a way.

 

 

You could try welding a piece of metal onto the broken off part, then you'd be able to get a better grip on it to pull it out, just don't weld the cranks threads...

 

 

Has the OP got the piece out yet? If so be nice to see a photo off the fracture.
Even better if the OP can send bits to Simon for a definitive explanation of the root cause.

Thanks for all your support and great ideas! I have not had a chance to look at it again yet, but I will tonight and tomorrow morning. Now I have many new ideas on different approaches on how to get it out!

I will produce photos when (if) I have got the pice out.

[A-Cell]

Good luck

[Stu1961]

Try drilling into the broken off piece and screwing a screw extractor into it the left handed spiral should grip your drilled hole easily and as it is not threaded it should come out with a little coaxing.

[buzcooper]

By the sounds of things I've just had the same issue. I was lucky enough that the broken stud unwound itself inside the clutch when I tried to drill it out (with a view to using a stud extractor to remove it).

 

Fingers crossed this works