firebobby said:
I have been looking at spline tools and there are plenty of them on ebay, but not sure of the quality, It looks like the bolts will very tight to get out, so I will need a good quality tool. Halfords do a 7 piece 1/2" set for around £24, it's their Professional range, would these be up to the job. Anyone had experience with these or recommend a spline tool.
Thanks
I'm sure anyone who has split 108s can offer their own wisdom but after parting 15/20 sets here's my advice
First off i found heat or cold no use & also no benefit from using penetrating fluids or sprays
I use a longer spline (50mm) to "strike" each bolt with a heavy hammer 2/3 times . This helps break the thread if seized as most of them are . Once struck 2/3 times use a separate wrench with fresh spline in almost immediately
I also found removing the bolts in a star like pattern so opposite around the wheel face as opposed to next to each other clockwise
Don't use excessive force or longer wrench as it will either round the head or snap the thread
Leave the ones that don't move & return to them , not unusual to end up with a wheel with 2/3 stuck bolts , repeat the strike / try & if still no movement i would leave overnight then try again .
Worse case if the head does round off is drill the bolt head to leave the thread & once the star is off then you can get at them to remove
I found grinding a flat surface with small grinder to 2 sides of remaining threaded shaft the easiest way to get threaded bolts out , just turn them out with small suitable size spanner
A satisfying job once complete but in reality can be time consuming & laborious
Keep us posted how you get on
