Tool to remove 5th gear nut

[BaxterStockman]

Hey guys: I started pulling apart a 523 tonight - taking the first steps toward getting the hybrid trans into my Spirit. Just thought I'd pass along that I might have found an alternative to using Miller Tool 6252 for removing the fifth gear nut. I haven't found many examples of the Miller 6252 for sale online, but here's one on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Miller-Tools-6252-Wrench-/280797429793#ht_500wt_1054) that costs over $50 after shipping.

I was staring at the fifth gear nut, thinking to myself, those wrench flats beneath the nut look just about the same size as an oversize unsealed bicycle headset - I wonder if any of my bike tools might work? Lo and behold, the Park Tool HCW-15 - a mere $15 or so at your local bicycle store for incredible "Lazer Precision" - fits pretty much like a glove.

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(Sorry for the cruddy lighting)

A caveat: the wrench is made out of what appears to be mild steel, and is not all that thick. I haven't yet had a chance to get my impact wrench on the fifth gear nut itself, but I'll report back when I do. Somebody's probably already figured out a solution that doesn't involve paying $50 or more for a sheet of stamped metal, but for those of us looking for a convenient solution, this could be it.

[135sohc]

Please report back how that works. The miller tool is really nothing special as far as its complexity but it is a thick piece of steel and fully enclosed where it wraps around the gear because it as you will discover when going to remove it, that nut is on there extremely tight, with loctite and deformed threads. So anything with an open end will probably start to curl open and deform in short order.

I have two of the miller 6252's so its of no real concern to me but I would wonder if someone like columbia river mandrel bending could run a batch of them off on their waterjet cutting since its the same profile as cutting exhaust flanges ? Probably be very reasonable for the price and work exactly like the oem tool.

[86Shelby]

That's an interesting solution! I'm interested in how that works out, especially tightening the nut.

After borrowing the miller tool from a local dealership(that's pretty damn slick), I welded up some angle iron and made a rectangle with it that fit the flats. Ground down a little so the socket would fully engage the nut and it worked fine for a few times. Getting the nut torqued 3-4 times proved to be a little too much and it started to bend.

[shackwrrr]

The park took is cheap enough, just get two and weld them together in opposite directions making a box.

[BaxterStockman]

Well, it works:

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I heated the nut with a propane torch first, so that may have helped a bit. But - the wrench wasn't damaged noticeably, and even my crappy Harbor Freight impact gun got it off. So save your money and get an HCW-15!

[bfarroo]

I measured the dimensions up and had one of the guys in the machine shop at work make one up out of some 1/4 plate. Cutting it out on the CNC was quick but I bet you could still make one up by hand with a jig saw and a drill.

[ajakeski]

http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/merchandising/2012-web-only-sales/5-15-2-day-sale/15-piece-metric-service-wrench-set-93668.html

[Pat]

I measured the dimensions up and had one of the guys in the machine shop at work make one up out of some 1/4 plate. Cutting it out on the CNC was quick but I bet you could still make one up by hand with a jig saw and a drill.

That's what I did...works like a charm.

[DOHCRT]

http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/merchandising/2012-web-only-sales/5-15-2-day-sale/15-piece-metric-service-wrench-set-93668.html

Thats funny...I just bought those last night for the same purpose.

[ajakeski]

Thats funny...I just bought those last night for the same purpose.

So...do they work?

[135sohc]

I do have a second 6252 I'd loan out...

[DOHCRT]

So...do they work?

Still in the plastic, I might get a chance to try them this weekend.

[BaxterStockman]

You know, seeing all the creative responses in this thread makes me think that there should be a list of the tools needed to work on our transmissions in the Knowledge Center or in a sticky. Something like an alternative to the list of the exotic stuff in the FSM - like this tool (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Puller-Gear-Large-Autocraft_9013202-P_N3497_T|GRP2083_____) that I used to pull off the intermediate shaft rear bearing and fourth gear, or this tool (http://www.thedeckstoreonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/c/ecolife-2x4_1.jpg) that I used to coax off one of the syncros. :p There are tools mentioned in various and sundry threads (I know because I spent many hours scouring the forum in preparation for building a hybrid trans), but it would be great to have it all in one place. Any volunteers?

[dme]

I used an impact wrench when I had to remove the nut holding the 5th gear.

[RoadWarrior222]

Why doesn't a normal wrench work? 1 3/8" or 1 7/16"

[86Shelby]

It would, though those sizes not commonly found in the average Joe's toolbox.

[1966 dart wagon]

very cool I ended up buying a craftsman wrench and doing a little modifying to it to make it work since it was too wide. it sure was hard to mod a 25+ dollar wrench but hey I need it done then and there

[Ondonti]

Bringing up old thread since this is what comes up when you search for Miller tool 6252 for removing the 5th gear nut.

Per Reaper1 helping me pull apart a transmission, stick a strong cloth into the gear mesh and that will prevent the shaft from turning. I used the cuff of some old jeans (wrags). Weak cloths will pull through the gears. Put the cloth on the opposite side for tightening.

[BadAssPerformance]

I've heard others use the cloth in the gears method too.

I used to use a bigass crescent wrench and just had to be careful of it sliding off.

Now that I have it, the miller tool works great.

With an impact gun you can usually just hold the gear tightly by hand with a shop rag.

[DoubleD]

I bought a used Miller 6252 tool on ebay yesterday, for 20 bucks shipped. I am not going to even try to mess with it.