A-type overdrive solenoid removal

[Stagless Steve]

Has anyone removed the solenoid from an A-type overdrive with the overdrive still in place under the car? If so, can you please tell me how you removed the top allen screw? I found that there is so little space above the solenoid that a normal sized allen key is too long so I cut one to about half length. Even then I just couldn’t locate it into the allen screw socket. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Steve

[Mike Stevens]

I managed to remove the solenoid from my PI saloon OK. I don't remember any real drama, but it didn't have socket head screws, but the 'normal' hex head types. I can't see why the fitting on a Stag should be much different?

Not much help really....

Cheers,
Mike.

[Firept]

Steve. Long flexible drive type you often get in cheap screwdriver sets 1/4" extension and the the hex bit on the end you can get at it from above the propshaft joint. Believe me its much easier than the normal hex headed screw thats normally fitted!!
Paul.

[Stagless Steve]

Thanks guys.

Paul, I had the same thought today so I have been looking on ebay at flexi extensions but it is nice to hear that it would actually work, especially seeing as you obviously tried it on the same Stag!!

[Firept]

Thanks guys.

Paul, I had the same thought today so I have been looking on ebay at flexi extensions but it is nice to hear that it would actually work, especially seeing as you obviously tried it on the same Stag!!

Guilty as charged m'ld.
I put the socket caped screws in as the original are complete ba#**ds to get out with the exhaust still in place.
With the originals the one you can see on the bottom you could not get a socket on to as the wall of the socket was bigger than the gap so had to use a very small open end spanner and turn the screw one flat at a time....why is it when ever you get that situation the screw is always 10 times longer than it needs to be? Hence Steve when I put it back I used the socket caped screws so that even if you cant see it you can get the bit to stay in the screw. The cheap'o flexi extension came out of a set from Lidl I think.
Its a bit like this one but without the handle if you can imagine one with 1/4" male and female at either end 330927718233.

Paul.

[Mike Stevens]

Exhaust. A difference between a PI and Stag. Hadn't thought of that. Glad my Stag has a 'J' type then!

Cheers,
Mike.

[Stagless Steve]

Guilty as charged m'ld.
I put the socket caped screws in as the original are complete ba#**ds to get out with the exhaust still in place.
With the originals the one you can see on the bottom you could not get a socket on to as the wall of the socket was bigger than the gap so had to use a very small open end spanner and turn the screw one flat at a time....why is it when ever you get that situation the screw is always 10 times longer than it needs to be? Hence Steve when I put it back I used the socket caped screws so that even if you cant see it you can get the bit to stay in the screw. The cheap'o flexi extension came out of a set from Lidl I think.
Its a bit like this one but without the handle if you can imagine one with 1/4" male and female at either end 330927718233.

Paul.

Ahh, that explains the allen screws. I have an allen driver bit of the correct size with a set of bits for my electric screw driver. That uses a hex socket so I think I will get a flexi drive that will fit the bit and the screw driver. I can then let the driver do all the work once I have loosened it a bit. I have already taken the exhaust off (that was the easy bit) because I need to get the solenoid bracket off.
Regarding Mike's comment, I assume PIs only have one pipe running down the right hand side then. Lucky people!
Steve

[Mike Stevens]

Regarding Mike's comment, I assume PIs only have one pipe running down the right hand side then. Lucky people!Steve

Yup! Manifold on the RHS, pipe down the right of gearbox/overdrive and then under the prop to swap sides and go out the back via the usual hole in the LH subframe. No hole at all in the RH one.

So, only half the hassle of getting those subframe exhaust clamps done up!

Cheers,
Mike.