Reverse lights switch - what spanner?

Comfortably Numb · 25th November 2018, 19:52

As title - tried to get my reverse switch off the gearbox today - open ender won't work because the webs on the gearbox get in the way, and the smallest ring spanner (18mm) that fits over the plastic connector, is too big for the hex. So do I need an open ring spanner, 17mm?

Comfortably Numb · 25th November 2018, 19:54

PS It would need to be high offset, to clear the webs.

trikey · 25th November 2018, 20:00

Deep 22mm socket required.

COLVERT · 25th November 2018, 20:56

Box spanner ???---

MSS · 26th November 2018, 06:24

I used an old thin walled spark plug spanner like this.

https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...k-Plug-Spanner

picky747 · 26th November 2018, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Box spanner ???---

Is what I used,did the job.

hogweed · 26th November 2018, 19:32

All very well till the replacement switch I bought turned out to have a bigger plastic connector on the end than the one which came off, and no kind of box spanner etc was going to go over it. So I had to use an open ender, which I don’t like doing, naturally.

But then I figured the switch couldn’t unscrew itself when the wires were connected. And, maybe 5 or 6 years later, it hasn’t…

Mark190 · 26th November 2018, 20:30

Just changed mine, I used a deep 19mm socket. On tightening only nipped it up slightly any more and there is a danger it could break.

Comfortably Numb · 26th November 2018, 21:43

Mine is like Hogweed's, - the plastic connector is bigger than the hex. I may have to butcher a 17mm ring. I'll wait and see what the replacement is like. I can always cut off the connector on the old one.

Steve1966 · 27th November 2018, 06:26

I changed mine the other day and bought the switch shown in the thread below. Took longer to jack the car up than change the switch and a ring spanner goes over the socket of the switch shown. Cost less than £10 from ebay.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=34838

Steve.

25th November 2018, 19:52	#1
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	Reverse lights switch - what spanner? As title - tried to get my reverse switch off the gearbox today - open ender won't work because the webs on the gearbox get in the way, and the smallest ring spanner (18mm) that fits over the plastic connector, is too big for the hex. So do I need an open ring spanner, 17mm?

25th November 2018, 20:00	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,774 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Deep 22mm socket required. __________________ Lest we forget..

26th November 2018, 19:32	#7
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	All very well till the replacement switch I bought turned out to have a bigger plastic connector on the end than the one which came off, and no kind of box spanner etc was going to go over it. So I had to use an open ender, which I don’t like doing, naturally. But then I figured the switch couldn’t unscrew itself when the wires were connected. And, maybe 5 or 6 years later, it hasn’t… __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

27th November 2018, 06:26	#10
Steve1966 Loves to post 2000 W Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 Man Club (SE) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 436 Thanks: 66 Thanked 95 Times in 48 Posts	I changed mine the other day and bought the switch shown in the thread below. Took longer to jack the car up than change the switch and a ring spanner goes over the socket of the switch shown. Cost less than £10 from ebay. https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=34838 Steve. __________________ Jobs Done since (Apr 2012): Spyhole, Thermostat, IMG (x2), Front ARB Drop links (x3 pairs), Rear Damper, Coils/HT Leads, Heater Matrix, Unions, 13x tyres, Gearbox Oil, Full Service (x3), Water pump & belts, LH/RH lower arm & bushes, Front/Rear pads/Discs, Fr door finishers, Track Rods, Jule's intake tube, Clutch, Slave, DMF (ouch), 1 1/2 exhausts, front springs/top mounts, Jule's Fan upgrade/condenser, reverse gear switch, OSR upper arm, spring, and sill welding. 78,000miles (175,600m total).

25th November 2018, 19:54	#2
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	PS It would need to be high offset, to clear the webs.

25th November 2018, 20:56	#4
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Box spanner ???---

26th November 2018, 06:24	#5
MSS This is my second home Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7,085 Thanks: 283 Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts	I used an old thin walled spark plug spanner like this. https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...k-Plug-Spanner

26th November 2018, 20:30	#8
Mark190 Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Tamworth Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 34 Times in 17 Posts	Just changed mine, I used a deep 19mm socket. On tightening only nipped it up slightly any more and there is a danger it could break.

26th November 2018, 21:43	#9
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	Mine is like Hogweed's, - the plastic connector is bigger than the hex. I may have to butcher a 17mm ring. I'll wait and see what the replacement is like. I can always cut off the connector on the old one.