Share Your Favorite Repair Tips, Short-Cuts, Tricks etc ....

[Haasman]

With the wealth of knowledge this site’s members have, post your favorite repair tips, short-cuts, tricks etc.
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I'll start-

- Never remove a drain plug until after you've removed the fill plug first. Why? Because if you can't fill it, don't drain it.

- Use Anti-Sieze on ANY fastener threaded into aluminum. This saves a world of trouble later on.

- Use silicone (dielectric) grease at any underhood electrical connection to keep the moisture out.

- Polish and clean under-hood ground connections when they look suspect, or just unsure. Insulating corrosion can lurk on the hidden side.

- Always install seals and o-rings wet such as with parent fluid, i.e., brake fluid when installing brake seals, a film of grease on grease seals, etc.

- Take pictures or make drawings before undertaking complicated repairs. Bag and label fasteners, parts. Never rely on memory.

- To help slide the rubber window scraper on to chrome window trim, use full-strength Dawn Dishwashing detergent.

Haasman

[uptheorg]

To help avoid pulling and yanking a steering wheel that refuses to come off the column easily:

1) Leave the retaining nut loosely attached.
2) Take a slightly smaller socket than the nut and place it over the nut.
2) Use a hammer and tap on the socket at the same time as you are pulling the wheel toward you.
3) The nut should be loosely attached so you don't get hit when the wheel suddenly releases.

This will probably need a second set of hands to assist! The vibration from the tapping is what makes this work. It took about forty taps (while pulling toward me) to get the thing loose, but it was a lot less stressful and you won't bend the steering wheel either.

[Haasman]

Tire Pressure: For daily driving remember to maintain your tires consistantly. For every 10 degrees of ambient temperature your tires will change 1 psi.
Ideally, always check your tire pressure while the tire is cold (before driving)

DO NOT use the old "pop up" style air pressure gauge if you want an accurate reading. It also goes without saying that the pop up kind that are attached to the air nozzle on the air compressor are also wildly inaccurate.

Get a real gauge. Every time I've left the tire shop, the air pressure is off by between 4 lbs. and 7 lbs per tire. Here's a source: www.getagauge.com

Disposable Nitrile Rubber Gloves:
These things are great. Very inexpensive, tear resistant, chemical resistant, and disposable. You can even clean dirt and grease off of them with a solvent as you work to prevent spreading contaminants where they do not belong.
Unlike bulky gloves, these are thin, so they maintain the 'feel' and dexterity of your fingers, and the rubber improves your grip.
Fold the cuffs over to prevent oil from running down your arm! They can get uncomfortably sweaty on warm days.

Popsicle Sticks:
The perfect tool for neatly applying greases or adhesives. They will not scratch precision part (bearings and such), and they can tool a perfect bead of sealant. Great for mixing epoxies, and they will not melt when the epoxy gets hot. Can be split to size. A new one is always clean!

Disposable Wooden Spoons:
Similar to popsicle sticks, but they have a fatter paddle shape. Better for some applications.

Used Toothbrushes:
Great for scrubbing small parts or nooks and crannies.

Stanley Multisaw:
Holds a hacksaw blade or a sawsall blade. Unbelievably useful.



Permatex Aviation Form-a-Gasket:
This relatively thin and very sticky material is better than thick rubbery sealants (like RTV) for many purposes.
Forms a great gasket on closely matched parts. Good for fortifying a gasket, particularly the paper ones. Also good for holding a gasket in place during assembly. Curing can be accelerated with heat as needed. Even rated for fuel tank use.

Freezer:
Any pressed part will go in easier after some time in the freezer. Contraction is a marvelous thing. Try this ---> with bearing races or balljoints, and you will be amazed.

Coathanger:
The perfect tool for suspending a brake caliper, but can temporarily hold heavier things too. Try using one to prevent your exhaust from falling on your head when you detach it, for example.
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Haasman

[edmayo]

Wurth clear silicone paste in the tube, use on anything rubber to help things 'slip' together. For example getting those old stiff wiring harness bulkhead plugs back in the hole in the body panel.

[Haasman]

getting those old stiff wiring harness bulkhead plugs back in the hole in the body panel.

Using a handheld heater/hair dryer and warming and softening the plugs prior to inserting in the holes metal makes them slip right in, along with some silicone lube.

Haasman

[Rolls 912]

Favorite tools / products:
stainless dentists picks - extremely handy
cordless Dremel tool
multi tool - excellent for removing undercoat
can of compressed air from an electronics shop - chill
all things Wurth
all things POR 15
LED Miners lamp that sits on your forehead
Leather apron with pockets

[Haasman]

Batteries

Charging: Always make sure batteries are well vented when charging. Ideally use a charger that automatically turns off when fully charged.

Jumping: Always connect the positive cables first and don’t connect the negative cable from the good battery to the negative on the low battery car, instead connect to a ground source.

Vents: If your uses a venting system, make sure it is properly connected. If the battery is under the rear seat you definitely WANT the vent connected. The by-product of a battery is hydrogen (yes, that explosive gas, hydrogen)

Water: Even "Maintainance-free" batteries need to be checked for water. Distilled water is always better than tap water due to less or no minerals which attach to the battery plates and reduce the life of the battery.
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Story? Years ago a friend who worked at a Porsche shop was charging the battery in the trunk of an old 356. The hood wouldn't stay open so he used a short stick to prop it open. He let the battery charge for four or five hours.

Later when he checked the battery and it was warm, he pulled the battery connectors. There was a spark that caused an explosion of the accumulated hydrogen gas that blew the hood of the car and my friend across the workshop. He was OK. Car was not.

Haasman

[Haasman]

Standard safety tips if working under the car:

-Use good quality Jack Stands/Ramps on solid level ground

-Chock the wheels securely and set parking brake

-Put a big block or tool box under the car in case it falls off the stands (California Earthquake tip!)

Always use safety glasses while under the car

-Have a second person around at all times who knows how to use -a floor jack. Practice using the floor jack together

-Have a phone handy if a 911 call is necessary. If you have a cordless phone take it with you place it within reach of your work.

-Think about what you are doing: don’t put your body parts at risk

Haaasman

[cmcfaul]

never leave the key around with a teen aged son home

[Barwaut]

Always disconnect the battery when doing electrical related work, even if it seems a small job (regarded you don't need power for testing)