Shadetree tech tips

[surewhynot]

We all know some and use some. You know, those little tech tips that come in handy, yet surprise people that don't understand.

I remember when I was a kid, watching my Dad work on our car one time, he grabbed a big screwdriver, put it up to his ear then put the other end on the motor.

I was thinking pops musta been drinkin them red and white cans pretty early today. Hope he doesn't fall asleep like that.

I didn't know that worked like a stethescope. Man does it come in handy knowing that now.

What are some of the things you all have picked up along the way?

[95bronk]

Yea man X2 on the screwdriver trick. I was tought that in my high school tec class. Pretty sweet.

Ive personally learned that torches are lifesavers.... Even tho i dont have a set of my own for me to use and i use them when im working on my buddys cars and they have em..

Antisieze everything

Breaker bars, and extra bars are your friends (unless you break the bolt or nut)

Air chizzles are the chit!

Never use a screw driver to take out a race, use a brass punch..

[Skandocious]

A hammer and a properly sized socket make a good substitute for a hydraulic press when removing ujoints YelloThumbUp

I like that screwdriver idea! I'll have to try that :)

[Fellro]

I use a vise and a socket... no press here yet either... The needles rarely fall over using the vise.

[msb71]

Used a vise and sockets on my MIL's car last week , worked like a champ.

[d-kuzmen]

Changing the pilet bearing by packing it with grease and using a socket smacking it with a hammer creating some hydrolic pressure to push the bearing out.

[d-kuzmen]

Using a headlamp bulb to check electrical ckts instead of a test light or meter. If a ckt can light a headlamp bulb it's good. If the meter show voltage but the bulb wont light you got some high resistance. (green fuzzy stuff)

[john112deere]

Grandpa used that lightbulb trick. Even went so far as to solder a wire with a spring clip to a bulb so he could hook it to ground and still have a free hand.

I hit my IAC with an adjustable wrench to get the truck running so I could drive it to a warmer (10* outside, 40* inside) garage... Cleaned it out, and it's still working over two years later.

With a little care, using packing tape to attach a hard-to-reach screw to it's driver works very nicely- holds it together to get it started, adn the tape is brittle enough that it pulls out without leaving a sticky mess.

[95bronk]

To get to a hard to reach spot with a open end wrench, tape one side of the wrench so it makes a wall..

[Skandocious]

it pulls out without leaving a sticky mess.Sounds like a Friday night with mah lady :)

[d-kuzmen]

Sounds like a Friday night with mah lady :)

:drop: smilieleghump 'balls' :rofl2: :shocked: :eek: :funnypostabove:

[john112deere]

You're some special sort of perverted, Chris.

Or else I'm some special sort of idiot for not noticing I posted that...:headbang:

[Skandocious]

You're some special sort of perverted, Chris.

Or else I'm some special sort of idiot for not noticing I posted that...:headbang::acclaim: Thanks you very much :acclaim:

[msb71]

The key word being "Special".....'tool'

[d-kuzmen]

Ok enough talk about his TOOL!! 'toetap' :rofl2:

[6L PWR]

(green fuzzy stuff)
Doesn't Chris carry some of this in a ziploc baggy?? smilietease

[6L PWR]

Sounds like a Friday night with mah lady :)
Ah, if it pulls out without leaving a sticky mess, then the tool is BROKEN!! smiliestirthepot Or the socket may be on the fritz too. Either way, somethin' ain't right!!

[6L PWR]

The only tech tip that REALLY sticks in my mind is, DON'T pull out BOTH spark plugs of a running two stroke at the same time, ESPECIALLY if you're wet!! You learn lots of neat things working on WaveRunners, but THAT one really seems to stick. Also note, it's fun to get your friends to do it though!!

[Fellro]

Changing the pilet bearing by packing it with grease and using a socket smacking it with a hammer creating some hydrolic pressure to push the bearing out.

Also works with a clutch installation tool, or old input shaft...

[mtflat]

Changing the pilet bearing by packing it with grease and using a socket smacking it with a hammer creating some hydrolic pressure to push the bearing out.

I've even used a bolt or dowel with wraps of electrical tape to get a closer fit.

[fatherdoug]

Having trouble getting the retaining ring out of your front hubs? Grab a cotter pin, separate the two halves, grind down one end and bend the end to about 60 degrees. You can then insert the ground end between the open section of the retaining ring and it pops right out. But watch where it goes?????

[Mil1ion]

Here;s one you guys probably never heard of.

Testing a an engine block heater circuit.

I made a light bulb that is specially wired so when you plug in the block heater in the cord and the light bulb lights up..... the block heater circuit is good.
If it is bad..no lit up light bulb.

1) a piece of garden hose or sprinkling talcum powder around jointsworks for detecting exhaust system leaks.

[fatherdoug]

You can also insert a small led in the side of the plugin for the heater.