Evening all

Well it's been a while since I last asked anything but I'm stuck again and wondered if you could help me out please ?

This time it's trying to refit the valve and valve spring.

The problem I am having is that after compressing the spring "down" the valve stem I can not get the collett back on around the top of the stem.

Is there some trick to doing this or any special tool ?

Am I even doing it right trying to fit the collett after compressing the spring of should I be putting the collett loosely into the top collar thing (?) before I start to compress it ?


thanks
Paul

compress the spring - this should leve the top of the valve with the 2 or 3 grooves visible.

then fit the collets - they are tapered and will sit in the recess in the spring cover.

use a small amount of grease to hold the collets in place. Then release the spring slowly. Sometimes you need to tap the spring for the colletts to drop firmly into their slots

you problem's abit vaguely explained!are the springs compressed enough to get the collets into the slot?if so i put a blob of grease on the end of the valve to try and help stick the collets in place while fat thumbs fumble around

I don't know about your specific engine. But on the bike engine that I have (presently on the kitchen table), you can pop the collets down in the gap between the valve and the collet retainer,and then when you compress the spring they slide into place.

Sorry this isn't much of a description, but it does work.

To get them out just use something a bit magnetic, but you know that!

Matt

i'm too slow!

Thanks for all the replies.

Grease sounds like it might work.

To expand on the problem I followed this procedure:

1) Put the valve in through the bottom of the head
2) Put the valve spring in from the top
3) Put the collet retainer in
4) Compress the valve spring so that the collet retainer is below the slots in the top of the valve stem
5) Try and put the colletts in

which is where it all goes wrong....

Looking at matt_gsxr's reply, if I put some grease on the valve when it's in place, fit the spring, collet retainer and then drop the colletts in loosely BEFORE I compress the spring will this work ? Is this where I am going wrong ?

Otherwise I think grease and a whole lot more patience is the way forward.

thanks again everyone
Paul

What engine is it? How is it going wrong? some can be very tricky and keep falling out but once you get the first few in you should be OK. Are you using a compressor?

In over 40 years in the motor trade I've never had to use grease to fit valve colletts . As already asked are you using a suitable valve spring compressor ? Are you compressing the valve enough? If the answer to the above is yes then there is no reason the colletts don't go in. Fitting the colletts before compressing the spring isn't the best way to go about it IMHO It may be a good idea to use a small screwdriver/pick etc to locate the colletts. After the first few are in you will wonder what all the trouble was.

It's a silvertop Zetec and I'm using I spring compressor which has several attachments for the spring so I'm using the biggest one I can fit to give myself enough room....

I've been compressing the spring before putting the colletts in and when I say it all goes wrong, I mean I either can't get the colletts into place or they've dropped onto the collett retainer but not into the slots...

The Zetec is a bit fiddly, but not too bad. Do as you are, fit the valve and compress the spring first. Then get a long thin screwdriver, and using a dollop of grease stick the collett to the end of the screwdriver. Next, put a good dollop of grease on the inside of the collett, then push the collett into place and twist the screwdriver off the little blighter. Then gently release the spring compressor, you may have to rock it slightly from side to side to get it to all go together properly. Just fiddle around and you'll soon get the knack.

as above, but i use a superglue.....they aint going nowhere then!!!!!





just kidding, i use a little oil....

If you can't get the collets in you are not compressing the spring enough, you should be able to drop them in place then release the spring to grab them with the spring cap. What are you compressing the springs with ?

quote:

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It may be a good idea to use a small screwdriver/pick etc to locate the colletts. After the first few are in you will wonder what all the trouble was.

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Thanks for all the replies folks - grease, screwdriver and patience seems to be what's required.

I've got grease and a screwdriver - now where's my.....

Thanks again !!

There is a fine line between too compressed, when the collets will drop below the grooves and not enough compression when the collets will not quite slot in the grooves.
I adjusted the the compressor until i got a collet almost straight in, used a little bit of grease to hold the collet on then used a small jewlers screwdirver to push in to place and spin the collet round to make room for the next half.
It is a fiddly job but once you have done one the rest are a lot easier.

quote:

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Originally posted by snapper
There is a fine line between too compressed, when the collets will drop below the grooves and not enough compression when the collets will not quite slot in the grooves.
I adjusted the the compressor until i got a collet almost straight in, used a little bit of grease to hold the collet on then used a small jewlers screwdirver to push in to place and spin the collet round to make room for the next half.
It is a fiddly job but once you have done one the rest are a lot easier.

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20 years in the motor trade and i always use grease