Tips and tricks

[ak diesel driver]

I thought I'd start a thread where everyone could share a little tip or trick they've used to make life easier whilst wrenching.

So I spent most of the day trying to bleed the clutch on my Escort. Put in a new master cylinder and then tried everything I could think of the get it bleed. Finally had my brother come over to help me and he suggested using an old style oil squirt gun to reverse bleed it. So I bought a brand new one and a piece of clear tubing, so I could see air in the line, and it worked great the first try.

 

[schiker]

So you used it like a mighty vac. I want one of those one day. I like the Motive power bleeder for things like that too. Once used an adaptation of the idea to help start a big diesel truck that had been sitting for a long time. I had a pump up sprayer I put some diesel in then plumbed it inline right before the filter pumped it up and bled the IP line and wallah had a fresh clean diesel supply with pressure at the IP.

 

[schiker]

Working on my boat this evening I dropped a SS bolt that went under the i/o engine. So couldn’t get it with magnet pickup tool uhhhggg. It’s tight and can’t really see under engine or get under there. So I had the wife help me. She came down with her phone and I I called her phone on FaceTime and used my phone for a camera then hers as a view scope. The bolt was behind some hoses and couldn’t get it directly with my finger tool but was able to sweep it to where I could get to it.

 

[schiker]

This is the bolt. The red cap thingy is the bilge pump. It was just out of reach trying to feel for it. I took a few pictures to find it as you can imagine a couple of pics were blurry and did not reveal anything but they are digital so just erase them. Then thought I need real-time and said let me facetime wife's phone.

It worked pretty well just had to get some extra light under there to see the phone video. The picture took with flash. Flashlight wouldn't work concurrently with facetime. Also, found the terminal guard for the relay.

It was a pain to retrieve. Couldn't come in from this side with finger tool but had best camera view. Was able to sweep it to a more accessible location for retrieval.

 

[DieselCash]

If you ever have problems bleeding a brake our clutch system. Try this gem.

Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder with Auto-Refill Kit

Amazing deals on this Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I had an s-10 clutch I cold not get too bleed. I tried many different ways. I went and purchased this gem. I was done in a few seconds.

 

[schiker]

Working on IP timing the bolts are tight to get to. I cut the open end off a ratcheting wrench. I ground some off the sides too. I could thin it up some more. As is I still only could get a small ratchet turn maybe 2 teeth on the wrench due to gear lash and the number of teeth in the ratchet.

I see a gearless ratchet wrench but it is a special order. That might be a nice tool to have. If I won the lottery I think I would buy about any and every tool plus extras to modify as needed (and wouldn't buy lesser grades to cut and modify).

It's shadowy dark in the valley of the engine trying to see and access the IP nuts. I struggled with a corded shop light through one adjustment. Even with a bright shop light, you have to position it just so to see the nuts. Next I used a headlamp for hands-free light and it worked a lot better to see the IP nuts. I prefer the headlamps that can swivel down. This milwaulkie one was comfortable.

 

[Will L.]

Did similar for ip, but gave that size away to friend that moved to middle of no where, gotta make another one. Thats the stubby one with metal rod. Note the wrench can swivel on the rod too. Try the brand “GearWrench”. Low price and amazing quality. Hands down first wrenches anyone should buy.

The moon shaped thing is like an extension for around obsticles.

The flatbar replaces a pipe on ratchet or wrench and wont mar the tools ruining warranty. These are 2” wide for huge tools, make it out of 1” for normal stuff. Quick wrap of tape holds it in place in any position. Beter than the way to hook 2 wrenches together for more leverage. This works but can ruin a wrench.

The tube and wire marker stickers are electrician tools that all should have.

 

[schiker]

I have done the box end of wrench on the open end of a wrench for added length. Works good for just tad more umpf but has dug into a few wrenches.

I like the flat bar cheater. I try to always have tape and several small superglue packages available for when you can't hold something in place to start a nut etc. just dab a bit of glue to hold it then once started I have locked on vice grips to the nut if has something to bump. Sometimes might have to clamp something or use a block to make a bump for the vice grips.

Yeah, I like Gearwrench. They seem to make about everything. For cheaper midgrade tools (but hopefully better than harbor freight and Northern Tool) I have been buying some Sunex stuff. Mostly because the import offices? are close by in Traveler's Rest South Carolina and at least they give some jobs to my area.

Instead of the gearless ratchet wrench the indexable wrench from Gearwrench might be better ???? First time I saw them years ago in a Sears I was dang if the wrench could get on them why would you need to index them. But yeah I can see the need. Things are getting harder and harder to work on.

 

[Will L.]

oh yeah, the last pic is the ol' Chop a socket in half and lengthen it by welding in a pipe of whatever you have around. I made that one with a chunk of broken fencing back in 85 and it is still around in my box.

on the gear wrench brand- it is made in Taiwan, and feels like fake metal when you pic it up and are used to Mac or Snapon. But it is every bit as good. We did stress testing, fitment testing, etc at the tool shows and it just does great.

the flatbar thing also keeps the moon shaped cut out of ratchet handles. I've broken craftsman and snapon wrenches doing the wrench on wrench trick.

for electrical, anyone out there going to work on their own rig that can afford a powerprobe3 kit should buy one. even if you don't know how to use it. the only thing that gets dangerous is if you are working on something with air bags in it. just buy one and play with it, and before you know it you'll be able to chase down problems. there is a couple youtube videos on it.

 

[Will L.]

this is for r134a schrader valves (similar to a tire valve core on inside) but GM invented a total POS valve that uses a plastic ball in it, it won’t work for them, idk if anyone made a replacement real schrader valve for people stuck with the horrible ball ones

Make sure yours is not the ball style, and if not,
This tool allows you to change bad schrader valve core without recharging system.

When shopping around best price for it, just make sure it is for r134a, and has both high and low connectors.

Amazon.com: MASTERCOOL 81490 R134a Valve Core Remover Installer: Gateway

Buy MASTERCOOL 81490 R134a Valve Core Remover Installer: Air Conditioning Tools & Equipment - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[btfarm]

Historically, Taiwan made is good quality

 

[Stoney]

Sad but true

 

[cornemuse]

I bought a gearwrench set, (2 actually inchs & metric), Totally happy with them.
When I was in USAF, the aircraft mechanics had these (not exactly ratchet) wrenches they called 'G E' wrenches. Had the ridges to fit on bolt/nut heads, only a 3rd or ¼ the way around, & 'wobbled' on the handle, when tightening or loosening, a lil tang pushed the nut/bolt head into the ridges, gripping them. They were sooo slick & tight in really tight spots. Make sense?? Drawing a pic would be better explaination. I have never seen one since in 50 years.

-c-

 

[ak diesel driver]

like this?

Rare Simplex Ratchet Wrench No 13 Simplex Wrench Co NY | eBay

<p>Simplex Ratchet Wrench No 13 Simplex Wrench Co NY</p><p>1927-1929 patented</p><p>1/2 & 9/16 and. 5/8 & 3/4</p><p>See photos as this is a rare item</p><p>Sold as is...</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[schiker]

I have seen similar speed or ratcheting open end wrenches. I have never used any but have been curious about them.

I'll give a plug for the adjustable wrenches with the tightening or locking adjustment mechanism. I received some for an xmas gift and have found them useful. They get a good tight grip on nuts sorta similar to "vice grips" or locking pliers without the sharp jaws.
I'd rather use a sized wrench than adjustable and have used the saying "The guy that invented the adjustable wrench sold nuts and bolts for a living..... You know he created and sold the adjustable wrench to round off bolts to drum up more business." But these adjustable wrenches are tighter than an open end wrench.

 

[schiker]

Or you could be referring to a gripping wrench like this. I have seen them in open end and a boxed end style.

Both the ratcheing and these type I sorta felt like they had better be high quality steel - same with adjustable wrenches needed to be good quality or they could easily round off stuff.

 

[schiker]

Another version of the above.

 

[cornemuse]

like this?

No, it was a box end wrench.

 

[Will L.]

No, it was a box end wrench.

Draw a pic is probably best way.

 

[Jaryd]

@cornemuse i love your signature.