Tool tips

[3175375]

I was looking at how guys jack cars on 4 post lifts. Example... Removing wheels for brake work. I've tried a few ways and while I get the job done, I thought there might be another way without buying the $1500 bridge jack that would be in the way.

This popped up and it's a bit "out of the box" thinking. Still have to be careful and I would use 2 jack stands.

I had considered using floor jacks and jack stands in lieu of the air jacks.

Four reasons why I bought the air jacks:

1) I had the $ at the time
2) I was single
3) I figured that I would be saving effort as I age, lifting floor jacks around would be less likely
4) it would be a time saver

 

[3175375]

I thought that I would put this here as this is one of Uncle Tony’s best videos and rings absolutely true:

 

[Big_John]

I thought that I would put this here as this is one of Uncle Tony’s best videos and rings absolutely true:

Tony just barely qualifies as a "Boomer" but that's another discussion.... Generation Jones fits better.

I have that timing light and I bought it about 1977 and used it up until a few years ago when I bought a new Innova that I really like for $80. I have to disagree on his memory of the price.... I think it was closer to $35 in 1975 and that translates to ~$200 now. I remember that because it was one of the more expensive tools that I bought. It was something that was taken care of because it wasn't cheap to replace and I still have it!

That replaced the timing light I had where I had to pull a plug wire and stick a connector in the distributor cap and then put the plug wire into that. The inductive timing lights were pretty new and $$ in comparison. They came down in price when Sears started selling them, but still more money.

I do agree that "Idiocracy" is a documentary and I learned a new word "Enshittification" Enshittification - Wikipedia

 

[Big_John]

I had considered using floor jacks and jack stands in lieu of the air jacks.

Four reasons why I bought the air jacks:

1) I had the $ at the time
2) I was single
3) I figured that I would be saving effort as I age, lifting floor jacks around would be less likely
4) it would be a time saver

I looked at them when I bought my lift. It was stretching the budget as I just had a new driveway put in, so I decided not to. Plus, I'm cheap... LOL.

I also didn't like how it stuck up above the ramps and I wasn't too sure if it would work out. I usually use an air bag jack on the ramp or a bottle jack on the jack tray. I have a lifting restriction (long story and it's not my back) so I'm pretty careful with how heavy everything is.

 

[3175375]

I looked at them when I bought my lift. It was stretching the budget as I just had a new driveway put in, so I decided not to. Plus, I'm cheap... LOL.

I also didn't like how it stuck up above the ramps and I wasn't too sure if it would work out. I usually use an air bag jack on the ramp or a bottle jack on the jack tray. I have a lifting restriction (long story and it's not my back) so I'm pretty careful with how heavy everything is.

Thrifty might be a better description of your purchasing strategy!

 

[3175375]

I was watching a video about installing an upgrade for a Ford 7.3 Powerstroke (fuel check ball delete) and the guy used dental floss to tie around the fitting to use as a security rope in case he dropped it…

 

[Big_John]

I was watching a video about installing an upgrade for a Ford 7.3 Powerstroke (fuel check ball delete) and the guy used dental floss to tie around the fitting to use as a security rope in case he dropped it…

View attachment 745850

Ohh... I like that! I can see using this tip.

 

[edbods]

Anyone have a tip or trick for removing drum brake springs with just basic tools, not the actual spring removal tool? I know the trick to get them back on, that involves using a flat blade driver and it's actually very satisfying to do, but so far I've not been able to take the springs off without using that tool you slip on the anchor and twist.

 

[3175375]

Anyone have a tip or trick for removing drum brake springs with just basic tools, not the actual spring removal tool? I know the trick to get them back on, that involves using a flat blade driver and it's actually very satisfying to do, but so far I've not been able to take the springs off without using that tool you slip on the anchor and twist.

I have used a pair of needle nosed vise grips and grabbed the spring, pulling it away from the pin. You MUST have a very good grip on the spring and eat your spinach.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

Anyone have a tip or trick for removing drum brake springs with just basic tools, not the actual spring removal tool? I know the trick to get them back on, that involves using a flat blade driver and it's actually very satisfying to do, but so far I've not been able to take the springs off without using that tool you slip on the anchor and twist.

I have seen people use pliers for the hold downs and a mini vice grip for the return springs. HOWEVER, I DON"T LIKE THAT. It tends to leave "teeth marks" and THAT compromises the integrity of the hardware. I have had my brake tools my ENTIRE career spinning wrenches and they "fit my hands like a glove". You don't need top quality but get goof tools. My investment almost 50 years ago has surely paid off!

 

[edbods]

and eat your spinach

yeah see i'm still a lanky nerd, so i have to work smarter rather than harder. unfortunately for me the smarts department has been going through a bit of a downturn in recent times.

I have seen people use pliers for the hold downs and a mini vice grip for the return springs. HOWEVER, I DON"T LIKE THAT. It tends to leave "teeth marks" and THAT compromises the integrity of the hardware. I have had my brake tools my ENTIRE career spinning wrenches and they "fit my hands like a glove". You don't need top quality but get goof tools. My investment almost 50 years ago has surely paid off!

I do have a drum brake tool set, they were a fairly cheap set and they work well enough, but I was just wondering if there's a way to get the springs off without having to get those tools out. Like the spring pliers - I think I have an idea on how I'm supposed to use them, but I just find the screwdriver method way easier to slip them on and wasn't sure if there was some similar trick to get them off just as easily.

 

[Big_John]

Anyone have a tip or trick for removing drum brake springs with just basic tools, not the actual spring removal tool? I know the trick to get them back on, that involves using a flat blade driver and it's actually very satisfying to do, but so far I've not been able to take the springs off without using that tool you slip on the anchor and twist.

If you remove the hold downs, you can twist the shoe so it releases the tension on the springs. Gotta hold the shoe with one hand while releasing the hold downs so you can control how it comes off.

I prefer using the tool though.

 

[John FatFab]

Everyone should have a set of flush cuts in their arsenal. These make it so when you cut the tail of a zip tie off its completely smooth, thus no more scratched hand and torn gloves when working near installed zip ties. My favorite ones are these long handle ones. They seem to reach right into most areas where the more wider/shorter handle ones wont.

 

[Big_John]

Everyone should have a set of flush cuts in their arsenal. These make it so when you cut the tail of a zip tie off its completely smooth, thus no more scratched hand and torn gloves when working near installed zip ties. My favorite ones are these long handle ones. They seem to reach right into most areas where the more wider/shorter handle ones wont.View attachment 746901

I use these a lot. When I started to look for another pair, I decided to spend $10 and buy 5 of them. Yep, cheap and they won't last forever, but I have multiple sets all over the house. Mrs. Big John commandeered a set too. Great for a lot of things and if you screw them up, who cares? Grab another. More likely that I'll loose a pair before I'll break them anyway.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W8YYJD6?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

I'm not one for cheap tools, but sometimes it just doesn't matter. These are almost as good as the expensive ones.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

I'm not one for cheap tools, but sometimes it just doesn't matter. These are almost as good as the expensive ones.

I agree. I bought Harbor Freight wrenches in the 80's because a guy I work with said "when they break, throw them in the metal bin". They did but being a "junk man" I saved them. 30+ years later I found out they are Lifetime Warranty. I brought them back and I got new ones that were much better quality. I use my good wrenches for the tougher jobs, and the cheap ones for the lighter jobs.