Topic: Getting washers and nuts onto recessed cylinder studs

[Tim.]

So, while rebuilding my 550F this past month, I fumbled with getting the washers and nuts onto the recessed cylinder studs, which is most of them on the 550.

So, after fishing them out one time too many, I figured out a relatively easy way of getting them into place.

I slipped the washer or nut onto my long 5mm T handled allan wrench.  Then I positioned the tip of the wrench on the top of the stud and let the washer/nut slide down into position.

The nut will obviously not thread on, and will not necessarily be perfectly seated.  I then dropped my deep socket onto it, turning it counterclockwise (loosening) to just get it positioned properly and seated in the socket.  Then I turn it the proper way to tighten down to finger tight.

Then the torque wrench all around.

Not sure if it will help anyone, but that's my little trick.

[Jay B]

I've done the same thing using a small phillips screwdriver. Works great!

[Gordon]

Nice!  Hadn't thought of that one.

I use the grease method:  Put a small dab of grease on the washer, stick washer to nut.  Put a small dab of grease on the socket, stick nut in socket.  This holds it all together and in the socket while aiming it down the hole and onto the stud. 

[Tim.]

Of course the other tip is to have an extending magnetic part retriever ready to pull out the inevitable dropped nut.

I wonder how many of those undiagnosed rattles are the result of a nut or washer being dropped in and never retrieved.

[merc2dogs]

Of course the other tip is to have an extending magnetic part retriever ready to pull out the inevitable dropped nut.

I wonder how many of those undiagnosed rattles are the result of a nut or washer being dropped in and never retrieved.

   once bought a bike that the front tire would always bounce at any speed over 35mph,  checked it out couldn't see anything wrong with the tire or rim,  stripped it down and found a 1/4 drive 10mm socket inside.

  a decent starter for smaller nuts, bolts and screws is a drinking straw just large enough for a press fit, push the screw or bolt head into the straw  and give it a couple turns to start it, then switch to the correct driver.

ken

[Bob Wessner]

once bought a bike that the front tire would always bounce at any speed over 35mph,  checked it out couldn't see anything wrong with the tire or rim,  stripped it down and found a 1/4 drive 10mm socket inside.

The PO was ahead of his time. That's called dynamic balancing. 

[chung]

The magnet is the hot ticket. With a strong one, you can even screw the nut on the stud. Stay away from the flexi one.

[malcolmgb]

wrap a small piece of paper around the nut and then force it into the correct size socket, the paper prevents the nut from falling out, start the nut on the stud, pull out the socket, the paper will either stay in socket or fall off nut, retrieve paper or let it blow away it will not cause any damage.