Gearbox Inner Cover removal woe

Continuing ow with my layshaft bearing upgrade.....all is going well, until I was ready to remove the inner cover this morn. Three of the inner whitworth retaining nuts won't allow my socket to seat onto the nut. The nuts are located too close to the inner cover's wall, and the socket cannot clear the wall to seat onto the nuts. I was able to loosen the bottom one of the three with an open-end whitworth wrench, but the other two are impossible. I plan on grinding down the outside wall of my socket to allow a close fit, but before I sacrifice the socket, thought I'd ask on the forum for any other ideas.

Grinding down a socket at one side is what I had to do also to get at those tight ones.Dont sacrifice your whitworth one though get the nearest SAE equivalent one cheap at Harborfreight instead and grind that one.I think its 5/16 but someone will confirm for sure

I have never found anything to fit the 1/4WW that's worth damaging the nuts or bolts. I think the 14mm is about as close as you can get unless you can find a 17/32nd socket. It's actually .525 across the flats. 6 point sockets help a lot too.

Dave
69S

Try 1/4"-drive 14mm sockets--they're usually small enough to get at all the interior and exterior nuts



Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

I have the cheap Whitworth sockets, they are all thin wall and 6-point, perfect for the jobs.

Proto J5217 if you can find one. 17/32 12 point 3/8 drive.

Dave
69S

There are reduced hex size nuts available, while you've got it open may be worth fitting a set if you think you'll be in again sometime.

I use some 5/16 hex nuts that are for aircraft. AN hardware, should be able to get them at aircraft spruce.

I found an old 14mm 6-point socket, a bit of grinding on one side made for a perfect fit....thanks again guys