Please share some of your mechanical tips and tricks

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by mreid

I see you have it configured in tighten mode. I have several lengths and diameters of pipes that fit over ratchet handles and wrenches to get extra leverage. I made most of my special porsche tools out of strapping (rod end and chain positioners, flywheel immobilizer) and various pipe fittings from HD (seal drivers, bearing press tools).

No, that trick is done in "loosen mode", but it's hard to take a pic the other way 'round.

That is what I do, and I posted in the previous tips and tricks thread.

['89cab]

"how in the world did you get the pin and clip back in after you removed them to replace the hydraulic rod with the neat mechanical ones we all bought? My hands and fingers can't get around the wiring down there on the drivers side to push the clip on.... thanks for reading."

Just use a short (I think 10mm) bolt. The threads and tension keep the sucker in place for at least ten years in my experience -- no problems yet. Used hemostat like pliers and dental floss to recover the bolt if it slips. I believe I got the idea from Pelican.

[sugarwood]

I used a pillow to kneel down. My config has a nut/bolt, so it was pretty simple to access.

[Lapkritis]

I was replacing the fuel line/filter on my Stihl 036 last night. The replacement came from a shop in Florida and upon comparison, the new line required a larger hole in the fuel tank ; a 1/8" more in diameter to be exact. The tank is hard plastic and had to be drilled from the outside. I dipped the drill bit tip in grease to catch the chips as the cut proceeded. Also set an oil soaked rag inside the tank partially to catch any that snuck by the grease trap. Grease trick worked well enough that I couldn't find a single particle on the rag or in the tank.

[mreid]

My best tip? My creeper make a great cot for a nap when I'm under the coolness of my Porsche.

[sugarwood]

I'll add something so basic that I overlooked it for many years. 4 lb hammer. I wanted to tap out the brake pad pins, and finally got to use my heavy hammer. There was limited swing clearance, so the extra mass made it perfect compared to using a nail hammer. When you need a heavy hammer with limited swing arc to build momentum, the BFH has no substitute. I barely moved the hammer and it carried a lot of force.

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by JV911SYDNEY

1) Pay someone who knows what they're doing
2) There is no 2)

That is not much fun!! I love doing my own work......and becoming an expert in the things I choose.

[DRACO A5OG]

Starter Removal and Install. 20 minutes.

Chock the front wheels, put in neutral, raise the rear on jack stands, from the bottom on a creeper reach in from the driver side over the gear box to access the mounting 10MM barrel nut ( 3.2 ). 33ft lbs

If you have Hi-Torque Starter, the same process to get to the Positive 12MM connector. 7.5 ft lbs.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by mreid

My best tip? My creeper make a great cot for a nap when I'm under the coolness of my Porsche.

I can't believe how many times I'm been laying on the garage floor after working on the engine for a few hours and end up falling dead asleep for a while right under the car...

My garage can sometimes be the most peaceful place in the house. Sometimes. Sometimes it's filled with oil and blood and swearing.

[TheSt|G]

Bit of rubber glove or shop rag jammed in a socket with a bolt or nut is a great way to secure the bolt/nut during install.

[DRACO A5OG]

^^^ +1, I take cat naps under her too

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

^^^ +1, I take cat naps under her too

There were quite a few nights when I was rebuilding the engine that involved a few hours of low end manual labor...scraping, cleaning, wiping and drinkin'. Those often ended with me slumped over in the chair...cause of the drinkin' and all...

[douglas bray]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Bit of rubber glove or shop rag jammed in a socket with a bolt or nut is a great way to secure the bolt/nut during install.

Blue paper towels.

The biggest tip I can offer is to check out your local pawn shop. I've scored so many Snap On bits that I've lost count. Dozens of extensions, ratchets, socket sets, and specialty tools that my box is overflowing with Snap On goodness. I have drawers and drawers filled with everything from SO compression testers, strut compressors, speed wrenches, boroscope, etc.... All at 60-75% off truck price. Just picked up a $99 pyrometer for $20. A half dozen of my socket sets were $60 each, not the $300 the truck wants.....some still in the original shrink wrap packaging and magnetic holders. Does a shade tree do it yourselfer need Snap On? No? Want to bet?

[gduke2010]

Put a 1/4" hose on the end of a spark plug to start the threads then torc the plug with a socket

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

There were quite a few nights when I was rebuilding the engine that involved a few hours of low end manual labor...scraping, cleaning, wiping and drinkin'. Those often ended with me slumped over in the chair...cause of the drinkin' and all...

I usually ask my wife to come check on me when I will be working under the car.
Reason #1: make sure nothing went wrong and I am pinned under the car.
Reason #2: wake me up if I fell asleep on that comfy moving blanket I spread under the car...

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Bit of rubber glove or shop rag jammed in a socket with a bolt or nut is a great way to secure the bolt/nut during install.

I also use (sparingly) grease for that.

[Lapkritis]

My garage is detached and WiFi for the house doesn't quite reach. The kitchen is the midway point between garage and router. I had a spare router that I re-flashed with DD-WRT firmware and set as a repeater in the kitchen. Now there's nearly full strength WiFi in the garage. Considering the spare router had no appreciable resale value, this was a useful and virtually free trick.

[J-Mac]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

My garage is detached and WiFi for the house doesn't quite reach. The kitchen is the midway point between garage and router. I had a spare router that I re-flashed with DD-WRT firmware and set as a repeater in the kitchen. Now there's nearly full strength WiFi in the garage. Considering the spare router had no appreciable resale value, this was a useful and virtually free trick.

Yarp me too, but now I got a oily iPad...any tips for that?

[Drbraunsr]

Stomski racing - specialized engine assembly tools.
That is one clever hombre....

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I'll add something so basic that I overlooked it for many years. 4 lb hammer. I wanted to tap out the brake pad pins, and finally got to use my heavy hammer. There was limited swing clearance, so the extra mass made it perfect compared to using a nail hammer. When you need a heavy hammer with limited swing arc to build momentum, the BFH has no substitute. I barely moved the hammer and it carried a lot of force.

Careful there. My general rule of thumb when doing brakes is that if you need to force it, you're doing it wrong. These are precision parts. My go-to tool on brake pad change would be the caliper spreader, and the very thin steel punch that fits right into the pin hole. It takes only a light tap to get the pins free.