'Special' tools

[Andy McGhee]

I thought I'd start a thread about favourite tools - those that are commercially available, and those that forum members have made or adapted.
Here's one as a starter - a tool for removing the fuel pump on older TLs (Billancourt engine) - made from an old bicycle spanner.

 

[JdeW]

I'm sure Dave @mojobaby will be king with improvised tools
Here's my trusty valve spring compressor made from an old glue clamp and pieces of steel angle profile.

 

[Homegrown]

Homegrown Garage Green One -75

I have some Renaults i will try to make a tread on each. I made tiny presentation on my cars earlier. Green One is supposed to be a daily driver. I used it a lot until engine gave up due to faulty cylinder gaskets with the result of major overheating and sized engine. I from 1975 845cc 800-05...

www.renault4.co.uk

Made the necessary tools Billancourt engine rebuild. More tools and explanation in thread above

 

[Andy McGhee]

Here's a really simple one - an old doorknob (French, of course..). I find it better than a screwdriver when removing the backplate brake shoe retaining springs!

 

[mr-reno-139]

Here's a really simple one - an old doorknob (French, of course..). I find it better than a screwdriver when removing the backplate brake shoe retaining springs!
View attachment 34669

I've got a better one I made from German t handle Allan key

 

[angel]

List of everyday "weapons", left to right:
Rear suspension arm positioning tool
Rear gas damper compressing tool
Set of lower wishbone bush extracting tools
Front drum brake hub extractor
Billancourt distributor bush extractor
Billancourt cylinder head bolt socket
Tool for unscrewing differential bearing carriers
Plug for differential output seals when driveshaft removed (top) / post-79 steering rack boot installer (bottom)

Bottom:
Speedometer worm gear spanner (other end is for the 385 R5 Alpine gearbox)
Brake adjusting tool - commercially available
Front torsion bar anchor lever spanner



And, on its own, the engine removal/installation hanger.

 

[JdeW]

View attachment 34673

List of everyday "weapons", left to right:
Rear suspension arm positioning tool
Rear gas damper compressing tool
Set of lower wishbone bush extracting tools
Front drum brake hub extractor
Billancourt distributor bush extractor
Billancourt cylinder head bolt socket
Tool for unscrewing differential bearing carriers
Plug for differential output seals when driveshaft removed (top) / post-79 steering rack boot installer (bottom)

Bottom:
Speedometer worm gear spanner (other end is for the 385 R5 Alpine gearbox)
Brake adjusting tool - commercially available
Front torsion bar anchor lever spanner

View attachment 34674

And, on its own, the engine removal/installation hanger.

Very impressive @angel
B.t.w. I'm in Athens from 3 'till 10 july 2025 to admire Greeks capital and monuments.

 

[mojobaby]

About 5 years ago I ordered a brake bleeding kit from Amazon. Prior to this I always had my wife pump the brakes while I lay under the car, opening and shutting the bleed nipple.
I think my wife got a little tired of doing this, so on the day that I needed her, she was "busy" doing something else.
I think I was a little frustrated and I still had a few days before my brake bleeding kit arrived so I improvised and to my surprise it actually worked as you can see in the video that I made.

 

[Cyprusnoddycar]

View attachment 34673

List of everyday "weapons", left to right:
Rear suspension arm positioning tool
Rear gas damper compressing tool
Set of lower wishbone bush extracting tools
Front drum brake hub extractor
Billancourt distributor bush extractor
Billancourt cylinder head bolt socket
Tool for unscrewing differential bearing carriers
Plug for differential output seals when driveshaft removed (top) / post-79 steering rack boot installer (bottom)

Bottom:
Speedometer worm gear spanner (other end is for the 385 R5 Alpine gearbox)
Brake adjusting tool - commercially available
Front torsion bar anchor lever spanner

View attachment 34674

And, on its own, the engine removal/installation hanger.

Yassas Angelos, Hope all is well. That's a nice collection of special tools. My R4 is running well now since I removed and cleaned out all the rust from the fuel tank. I could do with that front torsion bar anchor tool, because my car is 3cm lower on the drivers side compared to the passenger side. Although not sure if I can make it though ? They picked it up on the MOT but still passed it. Cheers Kevin (Cyprus)

 

[Andy McGhee]

Another very simple (but effective) one - a worm-drive clip and an old bicycle spoke. For removing/reinstalling gas shock absorbers.

 

[Andy McGhee]

Wishbone bush removal kit - note the front hub spacers!

 

[Andy McGhee]

'Special' to me - I bought a set of these Facom spanners (Clés à pipe) when I was working in France 40 years ago. They were expensive, but have paid for themselves many times over since then. All the illustrations in French manuals feature them; they're great for getting into tight spaces. Highly recommended!

 

[Cyprusnoddycar]

View attachment 34737
'Special' to me - I bought a set of these Facom spanners (Clés à pipe) when I was working in France 40 years ago. They were expensive, but have paid for themselves many times over since then. All the illustrations in French manuals feature them; they're great for getting into tight spaces. Highly recommended!

Tres Bonne Andy !