Beehive spring tool.

[philthehill]

Just purchased the tool in the link below:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326205006995
Does the job perfectly without modification when fitting or removing original NOS BMC Minor rear brake shoe beehive springs.
Below - the above tool fitted to a beehive spring.

Beehive spring tool.jpg (43.73 KiB) Viewed 40037 times

[mike1864]

Cheers Phil.
I just bought one as a Christmas present for my wife.
No, but seriously..
Given the hassle of fitting these springs (mentioned on another recent thread), these are brilliant.
I'll mention I've got one in our Branch Newsletter; so I can lend it out whenever a member plans work on their brakes.
Maybe ESM should stock them?

[arjay]

Thanks, Phil. Brake work coming up, so I have ordered one.

[Michiel]

Thanks Phil, for sharing this with the communty.

[Mervin]

I did see a Youtube video where someone made a similar tool. I tried it and it works. Without checking the size, it's a 5mm or 6mm deep 1/4" drive socket with a longitudinal "slot" cut into it. Less than £4, but I fortunately already have a 1/4" square nut driver which would have added more to the price.
Otherwise I would have invested in the ready made tool in Phil's link.

[svenedin]

Thank you Phil, very helpful.

I can fit beehive springs with pliers but I find it difficult. Anything to make it easier and this tool is not expensive.

Stephen

[geoberni]

A good find by Phil.
Who'd have thought that all these decades later the same style of brake Retainer Spring would be used by Mercedes...

This is what the Mercedes retainer springs look like...
.

Merc brake Retainer Springs.JPG (38.41 KiB) Viewed 39635 times

That's 'one-in-the-eye' for all those who think they know better 'because they aren't needed/do anything'. Yet still the design engineers find a need for them; I know who I'd rather trust.


Meanwhile, here's clearer photos of the tooling I made from an old 1/4" drive handle and a 1/4"AF socket
.

20251218_112039.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 39635 times

20251218_120531.jpg (855.73 KiB) Viewed 39633 times

[Sleeper]

Or you could use a pair of fine nosed pliars...
( no photo available.. )

John ;-)

[Mervin]

"Meanwhile, here's clearer photos of the tooling I made from an old 1/4" drive handle and a 1/4"AF socket "

That's what I use. A 6mm deep 1/4" drive socket works too.

[mike1864]

I admire the ingenuity and skills of those who make/adapt their own tools for this task. In the UK, toolmakers' children can rise to high positions .
However, now that this ready-built product has come to our attention (and at only £5 inc postage!), the economics (time, effort and parts) of making your own goes out the window.
As to long-nose pliers, I find the need to maintain a constant tight grip conflicts with the orientation and spring compression aspects.

[Declan_Burns]

A great tip Phil,
And when you mill out the slot to 2.3mm it fits the MG Te-Series.
Regards
Declan

[Bill_qaz]

You should get sales commission Phil, they've sold out