Working with x Washers in Tight Spaces

[Bill Wray]

Does anyone have any tips on getting x washeers off and on pins in tight places. I have a deck jam caused by the keeper spring on the upper mover deck cable getting free, riding all the way back to the pulley by the gear box, requiring replacement of both the spring and the cable. I spent almost an hour getting the x washer off the pin and spent more than an hour trying to get one back on. There are five x washers someplace in the machine right now and there would be a lot more except for the flat surface under the pulley that caught most of the drops. I have the correct pliers but there is almost no room to work with, even with my small hands. Hints please!

ALso, am I correct in thinking that I should have the machine at 270 in order to reconnect the moving deck cable?

[wepauls]

Prier to installing X washers in tite places you can bend
the smaller part of X washer a little so when removing is necessary
the pilers have something to grab

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Put a dab of grease on the x-washer before trying to install it. This will keep it from falling if you miss while squeezing it closed. As far as the one you are trying to put on...put the x-washer pin in from the other side...I think you are putting the pin in from the left and going toward the right...go the other way. Then the x-washer will go on easily...especially from the top of the machine.

[Drillmn300]

I too have been putting grease on them when they spin on me.

[JACKO]

WOW!, Great minds think alike, but since I never thought to use grease, I 'll just add I usually open x-washer alittle, so I fit through and squeeze.

[Kanga (James)]

I use the Snap-On angled slip joint pliers. They're great for reaching X washers that are only accessible side-on.

[Roscoe]

Two words, Snap-on duckbills. I buy a new pair every year and use the new ones only on x-washers. One can take a penny and put vicegrips on one side, the duckbills on the other and the vice-grips cannot pull the penny out of the duckbills. I use the old pair for all other applications. Pricey tho.$30

[SoCalTom]

Two words, Snap-on duckbills....Pricey tho.$30

It would be worth it in order to save time and money.

[Kanga (James)]

They're the same as the ones B sells aren't they? We use them, but they're not always suitable for washers that sit too close to the part, like deck roller brackets.

[Roscoe]

Kanga:
No they are not the same they have a square side which enables one to place the x-washer on the edge of the pliers then slip the x-washer over the pin then back onto the pin and close it. Makes one handed installation a snap.

[Kanga (James)]

Thanks Ross. Do you know the P/N so I can have a gander at them and check the local price?

[coachlon]

I don't have the funds for Snap-On tools. So I purchased a pair of Craftsman Duckbill Pliers Model #45087 (Less than $20). Love them! Just as Roscoe stated, you can put an x-washer on the edge and it makes one hand installs much easier. Deck cable pulley pins, pin detector link, pit cushion shock...all a piece of cake with these!

[Roscoe]

Kanga:
#61ACP, $34.00

[Ted]

I have a pair of needle nose about 10" long. The nose has a bend of about 30 degrees the last 2" of the needle nose. They are great for getting into tight and akward places. I got them at Harbor Freight (which to some is the same as a cuss word).

[coachlon]

Kanga:
#61ACP, $34.00

That's not as bad as I thought!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=636965&group_ID=675118&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog