Sometime back, I recall someone selling a simple tool to assist fitting the springs and balls into the syncro hub assemblies.
Anyone have experience with these?
Are they any good or just a gimmick?
Or know where I can get one?

I made one from an old 1st gear. Took me 5 mins with a 4" angle grinder and a worn down grinding disc.

Sorry about the crook pics, there are 3x 45° (approx) angled ramps cut into one side, 120° apart.
You sit the hub in there with the springs in, then position the 3 balls and push down.
You then put your synchro hub outer part under it, line the 3 synchro slots up and push the hub down into it.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Doc,
Thanks for the quick response.
Looks simple and makes sense, once I had my eyes focused (they must be as good as yours ).

'sitnlo62' a user on here made some a while ago, i'm not sure if he has any left though. His tool works like magic, takes all the trouble out of the job. I highly recommend them, definitely not a gimmick. Doc's design works fine and i have seen another version of a modified 1st gear which also works fine, but they aren't as "safe" when it comes to losing your balls

found it!
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=75868

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So sitnlo62, do you have any left?

No,
But if there was enough interest I would knock out another batch.
Dave

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i just use a couple of cable ties ... wrap them tight on the hub to compress the springs and balls ... and in one swift movement knock it into position ..



Beanie

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I am the son of the STIG

HOTBRICKS
http://hotbricks.org.au/

'65 NCF MINI.....
'69 MINIMATIC.... 9 year resto still on the go

+1

Unless you're doing them all the time of course, but ties work well.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Yep its one of those jobs that i hate doing...
That sound as the three balls and springs go flying across the shed , couldn't tell you how many i have lost over the years ... i now do them in an ice cream container with a rag over the top ...

Beanie

_________________
I am the son of the STIG

HOTBRICKS
http://hotbricks.org.au/

'65 NCF MINI.....
'69 MINIMATIC.... 9 year resto still on the go

Any job that requires fitting of small sproingy (it's a word dammit) parts can simply be done in a clear plastic bag....

I use a piston ring compressor seems to work ok

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66 Van 1275
69 K Sedan
69 K Van Teabag
66 austin Countryman
68van

well,,, i`ve been using my old age method (use old outer ring with 3 cut-outs) for years & years & years (Literally) & i`d almost bet i`ve done more gearboxes in my lkife than most of you put together

now that`s funny

But anyways,,, i`ve since had the fortune of having Dave (sitnlo) make me up one of the new snazzy plastic syncro tools & it`s easier than taking candy from a baby... my old syncro-spring tool just sits in its box doing nothing now, but maybe the occasional appearance to show off what i "Used to" use,,,only to be outperformed & outclassed by the new tool

if you do a lot of boxes & you don`t get one of these tools,,, then you`re an idiot i reckon

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

The tools are brillant, well worth having

Have used a large hose clamp with a hole in it to fit the springs and balls
Have used Kevs (Dr Mini) tool
Have used Daves (sitnlo62)- best thing since sliced bread!!!!