Breaker Bar

[Luckypants]

I tried to remove my rear shock at the weekend and got no where. I guess I'm going to need one of these breaker bars that keep getting mentioned. Anyone got any tips on :-

• What makes to avoid?
• What drive to get? 3/8 or 1/2?
• Should I get a specific socket to use with the bar?
• where to get one?

i got a halfords one, 36" ideal for my work, its 1/2" drive too

Changed mine on weekend. Two lads held the bike on it`s side stand while i removed and remounted the new.
Yes i loosened the bolts before with standard socket set. And a long extension rod in order to be able to twist outside the frame so i could put some power into twist...

No problems took something like 30mins tops.
The new rear shock is progressive suspension 420 series. Do not know yet how is she on road since we still have snow and winter up here.

Originally Posted by Coddy_SV1000Z

i got a halfords one, 36" ideal for my work, its 1/2" drive too

+1
Halfords tools are great, i started buy there "professional" stuff after it came second to snap-on tools in a ride tool test and halfords pro stuff comes with a life time guarantee

Use 1/2' drive for heavy work smaller sizes might break under heavy torque

Its worth spending money on a good set of tools, your knukles will thank you and cheep tools are good at wrecking nuts, bolts and screws

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by svrash

+1
Halfords tools are great, i started buy there "professional" stuff after it came second to snap-on tools in a ride tool test and halfords pro stuff comes with a life time guarantee

Use 1/2' drive for heavy work smaller sizes might break under heavy torque

Its worth spending money on a good set of tools, your knukles will thank you and cheep tools are good at wrecking nuts, bolts and screws

Yep my tools are all Halfords Professional atm. Did not know I could get breaker bar from them to. My sockets are just not up to the torque required to shift the top bolt.

[northwind]

Machine Mart's big cheap torque wrench makes a great breaker bar... It's just a big 1/2 inch ratchet, costs under £15 and way easier to use than a conventional breaker. I've got 2, one for heavy spannering and one for torquing things with. I've also got a big Draper breaker which I never use, but it could be handy some day.

[Luckypants]

Did consider using my big torque wrench, but didn't want to bugger it up. Breaker bar is a simple bit of kit, won't go bad and will be useful for years. (esp.when folks in the village hear I got one)

[northwind]

Yeah, you wouldn't want to use one that you plan to use as a torque wrench in future, that's for sure.

If you havn't already got one, get an extension while your there, you need to clear the swingarm to get proper leverage on the bolt while keeping the socket square on the nut, they're thin ant slipery a 6' one should do it

[squirrel_hunter]

Another vote for the Halfords Pro!

Not got one my self (I have other bits of their kit) but have used one. Yep they may not be cheap, though compared to Snap-On anything is, but they have the life time guarantee and look damed good

Go for 1/2" drive as at the end of the day you can always get a reducer.