tricks you guys use

[xs042lol]

so, i think its time we have a little small tricks up our sleeves thread going on. help each other out maybe?

this is like small stuff you guys (and gals) do to make life a bit easier to work on our 240's

one i can think of now. old leather belt wrapped around an oil filter = easy way to get it off with nice grip

[saleaf]

my :2c:... since im cheep. i dont have a low profile jack or low profile ramps. i built a ramp out of 2x6 pieces of wood to get my car up about 6 in. easier access..

[lflkajfj12123]

when... putting on stock shocks unbolt the rear sway bar

installing kouki wings make a cardboard cut out of the base and then tape it on the trunk to drill your holes

vice grips for removing fuel injectors on ka if flat head won't pop it out

[TheRealSy90]

Great thread idea, i'm eager to see some posts in here. Unfortunately I don't have any tricks yet.

[gerson408]

i go over a small brick so i can fit a jack under.

[The Hamsterball]

don't change your spark plugs when your engine is completely cold.. (like when your car has been sitting without a start up for a couple of hours).

i thought metal expands as temperature decreases, so i was thinking wrong when i changed mine LOL.

this might be common sense, but not for everybody!

[Renelovesnike]

floor jack bar as a breaker bar... IT DOES WONDERS!!! ;)

[PeaceOnesxWai]

Zip ties to replace every bolt holding your Fenders, bumper and any other exterior pieces...

[Matej]

floor jack bar as a breaker bar... IT DOES WONDERS!!! ;)
Also works great for rolling/pulling fenders. :)

[apex]

Zip ties to replace every bolt holding your Fenders, bumper and any other exterior pieces...

this=stupid, zip ties get brittle in the sun esp. black ones so when ur on the freeway and a hard wind hits oh later bumper seeya fender

if u try this use the big white ones not black

[J3123MY]

Use a metal pipe to extend a breaker bar to generate more torque if you don't have a pneumatic impact wrench. My friend saved my ass with this when we used this method to remove the flywheel bolts.

[lazysk8er2]

- unbolt the battery when doing electrical work

[murda-c]

Whatever that thing is you were trying to avoid doing to get to a part (lifting the motor, taking out the dash, taking off the exhaust) just do that first.

It will save you like an hours worth of bruises and knuckle gashes.

[singlecamslam]

^^YESSS because in the end, you're going to take that shit out anyways.

[Sterlz]

if you have an s13 try not to jack it from the jack points, try a corner of a subframe or rad support

[!Zar!]

if you have an s13 try not to jack it from the jack points, try a corner of a subframe or rad support

Don't jack a car up from the radiator support.

Jack it up from the crossmember, subframe, diff, or tow hook.

[japslapsilvia]

if you have an s13 try not to jack it from the jack points, try a corner of a subframe or rad support


NO....do not try and lift car from the the lower Radiator support....it will bend....use cross member or tow hooks for the front....and diff for the rear.

[DALAZ_68]

if you dont have an impact gun and need to remove a flywheel (whether motor is in or out of the car)

withe trans removed and clutch press plate removed...take an upper trans bolt and re install into blockon the side..reinstall on of the press plate bolts to the FW...

jamb an extension bar or breaker bar (something long enough, strong enough, and thin enough) that can be jamb between the 2 bolts to keep the FW from freespinning...and break tension

PB blaster of WD-40 ur shit prior...

this method can work with either one person doing the work...but 2 is best...

[240sxvaj]

Have an extra person with you at all times no matter what your doing even if its under the hood only because the hood might just fall on you lol!

[94spitfire91]

Have the scissor jack that came with the car handy.. it just barely fits under the car while my other jacks do not because of how low the coilovers keep my car at.

[DJPimpFlex]

Double box end breaker....
http://photos.motoiq.com/MotoIQ/Tech/Wrench/step2/739033512_bRcuU-M.jpg

[Psychomoongoose]

eeeewww is that a booger?

[s14unimog]

Double box end breaker....


^This is pro, I use it all the time. Just don't do it with your pretty Snap-On's. reason 101 to keep around a good set of "China" box wrenches

WD-40 for removing sticker goo... Works like a champ.

[bllabong89]

buy liquid wrench.

I used it on my suspension parts and it made a huge difference. I got it from the dollar store for 2.50 or something. just spray a little, let it soak in for a minute and start wrenching

[KoukiMonsta]

buy liquid wrench.

I used it on my suspension parts and it made a huge difference. I got it from the dollar store for 2.50 or something. just spray a little, let it soak in for a minute and start wrenching

PB Blaster is the shit for this. break anything loose....almost

i like this thread

[murda-c]

Anti seize everything!

[japslapsilvia]

Filling/bleeding radiator……this works great…esp if it is a PITA to jack up the front of your car…

Take a water bottle like a 20oz one….cut to bottom off…remove the cap and tape up the neck..(the area wit threads on it) with electric tape..just enough so that u can put it in the radiator and make a nice tight seal (very important). Use that to fill radiator…keep bottle half full of coolant/water….as long as u keep the bottle half full it will be the highest point in the system and will allow air to come out…plus u will see the bubbles and know when there is no more air in the system.

[heavenboundkevin]

dont waste money on a spark plug removing socket. use the wire/boot. i thought i was SOL cause i didnt have one and my dad schooled me by saying that.

[E-Warrior]

- unbolt the battery when doing electrical work


I laughed.

[XxCAPTAINxX]

Filling/bleeding radiator……this works great…esp if it is a PITA to jack up the front of your car…

Take a water bottle like a 20oz one….cut to bottom off…remove the cap and tape up the neck..(the area wit threads on it) with electric tape..just enough so that u can put it in the radiator and make a nice tight seal (very important). Use that to fill radiator…keep bottle half full of coolant/water….as long as u keep the bottle half full it will be the highest point in the system and will allow air to come out…plus u will see the bubbles and know when there is no more air in the system.

damn thats a good one i'll remember that.
i use a nickle to cover up my antenna hole on my coupe. doesnt leak either.

[rollout240]

ratcheting wrenches work miracles.
pb blaster is the ishhh
zipties work wonders
extra hands is always great
working on your car early always helps with time of day incase of darkness creeping in
music makes the job go by easier.
have fun!! its your car your working on!!!

[miravete]

when removing the ka24de injectors, twist them so the little side grove is facing the head gasket. put a flat head in it, and another screwdriver between the head gasket and the injector and push down using the screwdriver thats inside the grove for leverage.

injectors pop out like pop corn :)

[D C]

this=stupid, zip ties get brittle in the sun esp. black ones so when ur on the freeway and a hard wind hits oh later bumper seeya fender

if u try this use the big white ones not black

You have that backwards, the white ones are cheapies, the black ones are the weather resistant ones.

[xs042lol]

3 i have

1. dont use the pipe/ jack handle on your good breaker bar or socket wrench. Mine broke the male part of the socket, twisted the male part on the breaker bar

2. Snap-on open end wrenches warp when too much force is put on, just a FYI so you don't strip anything with it

3. Put a thick block of wood between a jack stand and the subframe. this allows a greater weight distribution, larger coverage, and doesnt expose bare metal so your subframe wont rust out

[xs042lol]

Zip ties to replace every bolt holding your Fenders, bumper and any other exterior pieces...

i use all my bolts. Yeah its a huge pain in the ass removing 20 little damn bolts every time i want to take my bumper off, but i have the security of knowing it wont fly off.

A good thing to do, if u like zipties, but 4 bolts on it, all corners, then ziptie the remaining gaps left. Reinforcement.

[xs042lol]

PB Blaster is the shit for this. break anything loose....almost

i like this thread


thank you :)

i find PB Blaster, slightly heated (like in boiling water or microwaved water) and 10 hard taps helps it flow much easier. Or the Freeze Off stuff, it gets cold when its applied so it really helps break stuff loose

i use the warm pb blaster light its nothing, drench everything with it and then some more, smack it with a normal nail-driving hammer, 10 times, give it a few minutes to sit. then pull out the breaker bar



ANOTHER TIP! lol soo many tips i remember

when a bolt is siezed, instead of countering the threads, it helps if you SLIGHTLY, and i mean like 1-2 mm, tighten it. This will allow it to break off the threading thats "locked up" and then you can loosen it. be careful, this should only be done on heavy duty bolts like suspension. Small 10 max torque bolts will snap with this

[g00se]

buy quality parts, don't skimp and have to end up shelling out more later down the line

[prodigyJJ]

(for unorganized people) When removing parts with a lot of screws/bolts, put the bolts back in the same holes as or after the part is removed so you don't have a shit ton of bolts and wonder which ones go where.

[Deviousjet]

That is a good suggestion I try to do that as much as I can.

[94_240sx]

I have some tricks that I've learned with my s13. You might know most of them already.

- When you install KA24DE injector, place the injector, put the cap on and tighten both screws a little by little to push it in.

- When you remove radio trim, remove ashtray and pop the clips from underneath.

- When you bleed cooling system, jack up the front as high as you can, run the car and undo bleed bolt and remove radiator cap.

- I put bolts and nuts in zip lock bag and mark them. Putting those back to original holes are good idea too.

- When you change oil, if you have time remove the drain plug and leave it over night. If you remove oil filter next day, no oil will come out. Very clean...

- Use torque wrench and FSM for wheels and suspension parts.

- Put the car down on the ground when you tighten suspension parts. Rubber bushings will crack otherwise.

- Large towels come in handy when you install/uninstall newly painted bumpers. Put the rear bumper on a tool box covered with a towel to connect the wires and install.

- When hood won't pop up when you pull the lever, don't mess with locking mechanism. Simply replace rubber stoppers on each side.

Well, that's about it.

[ManoNegra]

Don't make your daily driver your project car.
Always use the right tool for the job, will avoid stripped bolts/nuts, smashed fingers, etc.
Get a compressor, nothing beats air tools for working on cars.
Get a cordless impact gun for junkyard trips. Can't get the good shit without.
Have friends that are smarter then you so they can help you when you get stuck.
Don't be a know-it-all, you'll piss people off and will loose out on learning new things
Don't try to live up to the hype, make rational decisions.
It's not a race, it's ok to take you time with your car build. Do it once, do it right.

[DDB240sx]

+ 1 for nuts in the ziplock baggy

[Choku_Dorian]

search Zilvia before ever attempting ANYTHING for the first time on your s-chassis.

I would personally like to thank Zilvia for helping me build my car.

[redline240sx]

Awesome thread!!! picked up 3 more tricks that amazed me...

[dtfdanyo]

ratcheting wrenches work miracles.
pb blaster is the ishhh


freaking word to both of these. I love pb blaster

oh and the low profile jack from harbor freight should be in everyone's garage:rawk:

[fckillerbee]

removing tire marks after drifting-wd40

[1on1]

-use a cardboard box just in case it drips on the ground.

-if you don't have cardboard, use Simple Green and spray it on the oil and wipe it down with a towel or rag.

-if you have any open electrical wire, make sure you tape them up.

-if you use a toyota shift knob and have a nissan adapter, screw the adapter on first and then the shift knob.

great list, keep it coming!

[conrad_s13.5]

From a few of my recent experiences.

-Always stay organized!
the ziplock baggies is perfect! no such thing as overkill when it comes to this.

-invest in a torque wrench.
sounds silly but even the smallest things like torquing lug nuts will save you in the end (warped rotors,broken studs,.etc)

-make double checking routine,.. sometimes you just put bolts in places so you dnt lose them, and come back later and think theyve been torqued down, when they havent

-always have some tools in your car

-RESEARCH always makes things easier, with for your current problem or the future,..plus chances are,.. someones ran into the same problem at some point in time, and its been covered somewhere

[NINJAS14]

grease everything.
Every bolt thread should be greased and the suspension arms, comes right off when you need to take them apart again. For bolts that are around heat use antiseize. Also grease up water pump gaskets and diff cover gaskets, it prevents leaking and the gasket comes right off when you take them apart.

anything touching rubber (swaybar bushing, or any rubber or poly bushing) use silicone based.

Metal to metal use lithium.

[prodigyJJ]

buy your own tool set. Your friends/dad/relatives WILL get tired of you using and or losing their shit.

[undesiredshoe]

Dont put anti seize on your wheel studs...unless you like having wheels come off.

[Matej]

if you dont have an impact gun and need to remove a flywheel (whether motor is in or out of the car)

withe trans removed and clutch press plate removed...take an upper trans bolt and re install into blockon the side..reinstall on of the press plate bolts to the FW...
As for me, I just wedge a jack under the flywheel teeth, so it cannot spin. :hide:


grease everything.
Especially coilover threads. Even when they are new, before you install them, and every time you have them taken out. They will never rust or seize up.

[SixMachine]

1. Diff service - tools-14mm box wrench, 12mm box wrench and prybar of decent size (everyone is not the same strength, the weaker you are the bigger the pry bar)
Stick a prybar in the Universal Joint in the driveshaft when you remove the 4 14mm bolts & nuts from the diff. Use the pry bar as the opposing force as you hold the wrench to the nut on the differential side. (For locking differntials)You can unbolt your 2 axles the same way with a buddy holding the u joint with a prybar and rotating the driveshaft accordingly! -Happy Wrenching!

2. Tooling! cordless impact! 3/8 and 1/2 inch Universal Joint Sockets! (the ball joint type) best sockets for everything on an impact (ratchet not so much)

[heavenboundkevin]

for stuff like radiator hoses etc.

if there is a rubber hose stuck that wont come off by pulling straight out, grab pliers and twist the hose(while its still on the fitting -clockwise/counterclockwise. it breaks the seal and the hose should be easier to pull off.

[racepar1]

Trans. fill plug removal:
IF your fill plug isn't too boogered up a 19mm 12-point box-end wrench grabs that 17mm square head quite nicely.

Engine removal:
When you remove an s-13 engine NEVER un-plug the harness from the engine. It's too much of a PITA. INSTEAD un-plug it from the ecu and route the harness back into the engine bay. Clearing the brake lines is a PITA, but other then that it's easy. On ABS equipped cars this does not necessarily apply though because you have to remove the ABS unit to remove the harness...

Broken bolt removal:
Throw away every easy-out or similar tool you have out and go buy a welder. All you do is weld a nut to the broken bolt and it comes right out. The heat hepls to break it loose as well. Even if the stud is sunk into an aluminum head you can still weld it, I've done it. It turned an impossible to remove broken bolt into a 10 minute job.

[BMXer91331]

Another one for hoses... if you have a a hose that whont go in such as a radiator hose not going in get a little grease with your finger and lube it up on the inside it will slip in so fast youl hit yourself in the head for not ever doing that before.

[sviellvoicae]

I always get a slightly smaller size for my intercooler couplers and use a heat gun to make em flex more. It just helps make the piping stay together under boost.

O and the idea about the radiator and bottle to release the air is amazing!:hyper:

[jspecusa]

I always get a slightly smaller size for my intercooler couplers and use a heat gun to make em flex more. It just helps make the piping stay together under boost.

O and the idea about the radiator and bottle to release the air is amazing!:hyper:

you can use an extra hose clamp in the middle of the 2 hose clamp so it won't flex as much under high boost, the quality of the couplers also makes a difference in holding it(no ebay crap).

the idea from the bottle on top of radiator is from the snapon bleeder kit, same idea just cost way less.

[nismolvr]

Bench bleed master cylinder with fittings and lines from wrecking yard.Make sure you cut the front and rear lines from donor car ,long enough to curl upwards and into brake fluid reservoir ,so you can see air bubbles escaping as you bench bleed it.There are some cheap plastic kits ,but i prefer this method better.

When bleeding brakes, always begin with the wheel furthest from MC ,On US Cars RR,LR.FR,FL ,Use a see through hose and an empty plastic water bottle . and take your six point closed end ,8 or 10mm wrench put it on bleeder fitting first and take the clear hose and install it on bleeder fitting ,make sure its on tight ,if loose use a zip tie.Bleed calipers and make sure the other end of hose is in the water bottle below fluid level, so you can see all air escape the line.

[!Zar!]

Speaking of hose clamps...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/TurboDrifterZar/clambizo.jpg

Better than aftermarket.

[racepar1]

Another one for hoses... if you have a a hose that whont go in such as a radiator hose not going in get a little grease with your finger and lube it up on the inside it will slip in so fast youl hit yourself in the head for not ever doing that before.

Actually if you spray the inside of the offending hose/nipple with carb cleaner the hose will slide right on. The carb cleaner evaporates away and doesn't leave any residue between the hose and the nipple. You just have to be fast because it evaporates...

[rowley65flip]

If you spray alittle hair spray on your intercooler couplers they slide on easier and it helps to keep from from blowing off.

[lflkajfj12123]

Especially coilover threads. Even when they are new, before you install them, and every time you have them taken out. They will never rust or seize up.

This. I learned the hard way.

Trans. fill plug removal:
IF your fill plug isn't too boogered up a 19mm 12-point box-end wrench grabs that 17mm square head quite nicely.

Broken bolt removal:
Throw away every easy-out or similar tool you have out and go buy a welder. All you do is weld a nut to the broken bolt and it comes right out. The heat hepls to break it loose as well. Even if the stud is sunk into an aluminum head you can still weld it, I've done it. It turned an impossible to remove broken bolt into a 10 minute job.

That bolt tip is probably the best tip I've read in this thread. Also...

I always fill up transmission oil from the shifter. It's pretty easy and beats crawling under the car.

[unreal-]

Awesome thread. :)

i have a few of my own from many days and nights spent cursing and scuffing my knuckles

- Got a stubborn bolt and dont have impact tools? Tap the wrench/rachet you are using to loosen the bolt with a hammer. Ive gotten really tough bolts out that way. Works the same way as an impact gun.

- Freeze off is better than holy water. that has replaced the PB blaster in my toolbox.

- When doing caliper work, zip ties are your friend.

- ***TIME SAVER*** If you are doing a multi-step job, and one step is a PITA (ie. knock sensor) just do that PITA step FIRST, and do the easy ones later. It sucks running out of daylight, when you still have the pita part of the job to do.

[ManoNegra]

for stuff like radiator hoses etc.

if there is a rubber hose stuck that wont come off by pulling straight out, grab pliers and twist the hose(while its still on the fitting -clockwise/counterclockwise. it breaks the seal and the hose should be easier to pull off.

be careful with this
I've broken the neck of old radiators doing it this way


I always fill up transmission oil from the shifter. It's pretty easy and beats crawling under the car.

x2, by far the easiest method


- When doing caliper work, zip ties are your friend.


I like to use short tie downs with hooks on them
to hold brake calipers and suspension components out of the way
and keep stress off brake lines

bringing down a transmission:
loosen motor mounts to swivel motor towards you
then you can get a long extension on the hard to reach bolts
you can also get at the top ones from above with a ratcheting wrench
but can end up with bruised knuckles

motor mounts:
put a jack under the transmission mount to support the motor
loosen and lower the crossmember about 1/2"
that will give you room to get the mounts out
use a swivel socket to get at the 14mm motor mount bolts

[datboibrad]

sweet thread.

a recent trick i found to remove flywheel bolts without an impact. install a bolt into one of the transmission holes on the block. lay a pickle fork or large screw driver over the bolt and lodge it into the teeth of the flywheel. use your breaker on the flywheel bolt obviously and pop it loose.

another version that works i used on a 1j the other day was to bolt a 14mm wrench down to the transmission bolt hole and put a pressure plate bolt into the flywheel and pop the flywheel bolts loose that way.

im used to working alone so i rarely have that buddy to help fight against a bolt

[s13silvia123]

i made my own little table for head work especially when installing or taking out valve springs plus porting and polishing work.
its made of wood :):):)

[dawagarage]

Bench bleed master cylinder with fittings and lines from wrecking yard.Make sure you cut the front and rear lines from donor car ,long enough to curl upwards and into brake fluid reservoir ,so you can see air bubbles escaping as you bench bleed it.There are some cheap plastic kits ,but i prefer this method better.

When bleeding brakes, always begin with the wheel furthest from MC ,On US Cars RR,LR.FR,FL ,Use a see through hose and an empty plastic water bottle . and take your six point closed end ,8 or 10mm wrench put it on bleeder fitting first and take the clear hose and install it on bleeder fitting ,make sure its on tight ,if loose use a zip tie.Bleed calipers and make sure the other end of hose is in the water bottle below fluid level, so you can see all air escape the line.

i havent traced the lines myself, but there was a thread in which i directed someone to bleed their brakes in this way, because from above it looks very logical.. but a few people corrected me saying that the way the brake lines are routed makes the bleeding process different? i dont remember the sequence they suggested.. oh well.

anyways a tip. download and print the FSMS! follow torque specs!

[SinGarage]

i made my own little table for head work especially when installing or taking out valve springs plus porting and polishing work.
its made of wood :):):)


Oooh please post some pics and specs. I've been wondering how to make one for the longest time.


My contribution: If you are trying to take out old and worn bushings, burn them out instead of a press. It is a lot faster I think plus not everyone has an access to a press. Just clean them out after their cool, repaint, and install new bushings.

[xs042lol]

when trying to figure out the length of hard lines, or any type of line in your car, like vacuum ones that are still on

grab a shoe lace and use that, or use some thick string (so it doesnt break if you need to pull it hard) and then trace it and measure the lenght. i needed that for hard lines yesterday

[babyjesus]

gearwrench or any other ratcheting wrench, these things are the greatest!!!

http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/1214/350_9417.jpg

also, buy gearwrench brand over craftsman, they have the same lifetime warranty at sears and they're like 1/2 the price and better quality...i worked at sears for 5 years, they're amazing, AND at least once a month they go on sale for like 50% off!!!

get on it!

[sirfallsalot243]

Dont buy anything from Megan Racing.

[Mangudai]

(for unorganized people) When removing parts with a lot of screws/bolts, put the bolts back in the same holes as or after the part is removed so you don't have a shit ton of bolts and wonder which ones go where.


Yep or put them in zip lock bags and label them.

[Perfect Balance]

For transmission bolts, instead of trying to get your wrench/hands up there in those tight spaces to get to the bolts, just put together a bunch of extensions and a universal joint and just feed it up from the drive shaft area. You can usually get to all the bolts easily this way and just chill out on your back (if you're working on the floor) while you do it.


Also, the hood mod/remove your hood when doing anything on the engine. So much more space.

[undesiredshoe]

Buy or make this tool for removing exhaust hangers. Charge your frustrated friends money or beer to borrow this tool when they try to install their ebay exhaust.

http://www.matcotools.com/ProductImages/ehr383.jpg

[ericcastro]

Broken bolt removal:
Throw away every easy-out or similar tool you have out and go buy a welder. All you do is weld a nut to the broken bolt and it comes right out. The heat hepls to break it loose as well. Even if the stud is sunk into an aluminum head you can still weld it, I've done it. It turned an impossible to remove broken bolt into a 10 minute job.
What about when you snap wended on bolts, like the one on, ...lets say a steering column, lol


http://yourfixitshop.com/media/vise$20grip.jpg
dont waste your time stripping hardline fittings.
just use these.

[DJPimpFlex]

When your reinstalling the transmission don't bother putting the top 2 bolts of the bell housing back on. If its good enough for Nascar its good enough for your little S13.

[J40sx]

For S13 chassis:
Use black duct tape to redo or add pinstripes on your car, make sure you leave extra tape on the ends because they shrink in the heat. Also make sure the lines are straight or else they will look ghetto.

[Perfect Balance]

Buy or make this tool for removing exhaust hangers. Charge your frustrated friends money or beer to borrow this tool when they try to install their ebay exhaust.

http://www.matcotools.com/ProductImages/ehr383.jpg
Spray wd-40 on your hangers to help slide the exhaust on or off, and save money on buying a tool for the job.

[s14unimog]

OH OH OH.... I've got a good one, remembered this last night when I was doing some wiring.

When ever you have to wire something, especially if it has a decent amperage draw (fan wiring, etc..) and have to connect two or more wires. Stagger the wire cuts like an AT&T "raising the bar" commercial. This not only ensures that you'll avoid connectivity if your heat shrink fails but also keeps from having that "tumor" when you wrap your new connection with tape or more heat shrink.


Motorcycle/bicycle related trick... used compressed air to remove hand grips; just blow between the bar and grip and it'll slip right off every time.


When your reinstalling the transmission don't bother putting the top 2 bolts of the bell housing back on.

I'm sure its fine but come on, that's just lazy... Put ALL your bolts back on...

[sirfallsalot243]

Motorcycle/bicycle related trick... used compressed air to remove hand grips; just blow between the bar and grip and it'll slip right off every time.




Also works for putting them on. ;)

[s14unimog]

Sure does, but usually not needed.

[sirfallsalot243]

My motorcycle bars have grooves in them to hold the grip- also prevents it from sliding on easily. Some people use spray glue, so when its wet theyll slide on and then it dries and holds them on. I find that it just makes a mess. So I slide em on with the help of a bit of air, and use no adhesive. :)

If youre ever stuck using a scissor jack... pop a socket over the little loop that youre supposed to turn, and hit that bitch with an impact. Beats the shit out of cranking it up for 45 mins. Ive done many motor swaps with the only jack available being a scissor jack... this was a lifesaver.

[DALAZ_68]

buy a label maker for after market wiring marking...and put labels every foot or 1'1/2''... itll save you having to go back and fourth or having someoen to tug on the wires and yell out which is which...lol

[DeatschWerks]

If you are doing a full brake system flush, flip the brake fluid bottle upside-down in the reservoir so you don't have to keep checking the fluid level while you bleed.

[Bigsyke]

Best trick ive ever learned in my life was gravity bleeding. I have a vacuum pump, speed bleeders, but I tossed all of that for the OE fittings. I could completely drain the fluid, and fully bleed them all by simply loosening the bleeders slightly and letting them bleed.

I keep an eye on the fluid level, and refill after I use up a whole bottle of Valvoline blue. Works perfectly on all my cars, plus you dont even need to jack the car up for it.

[Marcus]

if you dont have a spark plug socket, or lost the rubber thing inside::
use a small 1/4inch tube. slip it over the tip, use it to start threading the plugs.


if you cant break your crank pulley nut loose:::
put the socket and a breaker bar on it, let it rest on the ground.
quickly turn key to start then off immediately. itll break that shit loose

[Mitsubayati]

oh and the low profile jack from harbor freight should be in everyone's garage:rawk:

Hell yes. That jack is sooo cheap!! 2 year warranty for $20 for any problem you might have on it even if it's your fault. Just bring it in and get a new one.

Harbor Freight is my tool source. I only buy their tools that have a lifetime warranty. They break, you bring them back in and get new ones on the spot. Those tools are cheap yet are pretty good quality.

Zip ties will fix almost anything non-mechanical (body kits, headlights, etc.)

The ball on the driver and passenger sides before the rear wheel well is a perfect jacking point.


Don't get frustrated when an interior trim piece isn't budging. Chances are you missed a bolt or just are not pulling from the right area. Walk away and come back otherwise you might just crack/break the piece.

[beavis360]

Use the spark plug wire to remove the spark plugs if you don't have the rubber socket insert.

To run my A-pillar gauge wires I folded a piece of electrical tape back on itself, slid it through the slit of the dash and the A-pillar. Then I used that piece of tape to bring the wire up.

or

Enter the wire from the top, then tie it to itself creating a loop. Feed the loop up through the dash and a-pillar slit then untape and enjoy.

Also, tape your connectors so they don't snag and make you cry as you route them.

[mike[pistonless]]

i like using handsoap for the exhaust hangers, works so much better than wd40

[babyjesus]

.


if you cant break your crank pulley nut loose:::
put the socket and a breaker bar on it, let it rest on the ground.
quickly turn key to start then off immediately. itll break that shit loose

^^dang, thats pretty damn gangsta...genious!

[racepar1]

What about when you snap wended on bolts, like the one on, ...lets say a steering column, lol

You could weld a nut to that too. It works to remove steel studs out of anything aluminum. Now, to remove the steering column bolts in particular I just use a hammer and a chisel. If you can catch the head right you can spin the bolt loose. Then just make a little groove iin it with the chisel so you can use a flathead to run it out!

[!Zar!]

If you sprinkle some salt on your hands as you are washing them with soap, it will help clean the grease and dirt off better.

[deuce40sxftw]

If you sprinkle some salt on your hands as you are washing them with soap, it will help clean the grease and dirt off better.


yeah but what about full body washed? i dont wanna throw salt over my shoulder then slip and die o.o

[maxxdsix]

a strong face wash works wonders on grease and oil on your hands, even paint sometimes.

Only thing that was on the counter was face wash, hmmm....maybe this will work, oh shit it really works. lol

Make sure you have the right tools for the job before you start the job, even if you think you have the right tools, check to be sure before you start taking your car apart.

Always have a local friend, family member, etc. that is willing to lend you their car for a parts run if your working on your only running car, you dont wanna have to put your car back together just to get a bolt do you?

[dtfdanyo]

If you sprinkle some salt on your hands as you are washing them with soap, it will help clean the grease and dirt off better.

sugar works too :)

[maxxdsix]

loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car or your gonna feel retarded when you need to ask someone in the house to put their foot on the brake lol.

[singlecamslam]

What tricks do you guys use to degrease some serious shit? I'm talking about worst of the worst. What gind of grease eaters do you use? I used that purple shit, didint even make a dent in it.

[AN89HATCH]

What tricks do you guys use to degrease some serious shit? I'm talking about worst of the worst. What gind of grease eaters do you use? I used that purple shit, didint even make a dent in it.

Gasoline works wonders

Tip if you do an oil change fill everything up etc and notice the drain plug is leaking, use a vacuum cleaner over where you fill up your oil, then you can replace the leaking drain plug gasket/bolt with out loosing any oil, even when taking the bolt out completly.

[unreal-]

What tricks do you guys use to degrease some serious shit? I'm talking about worst of the worst. What gind of grease eaters do you use? I used that purple shit, didint even make a dent in it.

Oven cleaner? /shrug

[!Zar!]

Simple Green works wonders.

[Ceepo]

Super clean works wonders, i got a gallon at for like 10 bucks, it burns like a mofo if you get it on your skin though :/

[sirfallsalot243]

Quick hand cleaning remedy to avoid walking inside-

Carb cleaner.

[DALAZ_68]

sugar helps coagulation(sp) of the blood on a nice cut...

[sirfallsalot243]

sugar helps coagulation(sp) of the blood on a nice cut...

Does it burn?

[miravete]

if you feel like sneezing, and you cant, look up to the sun, and youll sneeze :)

[miravete]

if youre trying to remove the bolts that hold the air bags, and you dont have the special allen type key to remove the bolts,

use vise grips to loosen the bolts. half a turn is good enough to make it loose.

then, just use a flat head, bend the inner tip on the screw, and use the flat head to remove it.

get it? got it? good. :)

[dopplganger1]

use astro glide or other water based lubes on exhaust hangers or any hoses makes it super easy and it dries then the hoses hold really well

[Souljahzs13]

For anyone that washes the their hair with PERT Plus, that shampoo does wonders on removing any grease or oil off any part of your body. It is even gental enough for cuts and busted knuckles without burning and stinging sensations of other cleaning products.

[DALAZ_68]

Does it burn?
no...thats salt ur thinking about...

[moocowmoo]

What tricks do you guys use to degrease some serious shit? I'm talking about worst of the worst. What gind of grease eaters do you use? I used that purple shit, didint even make a dent in it.

use a super concentrated concrete cleaner. the good powder shit from the janitorial supply stores.. not your normal home depot crap. Dilute it in a spray bottle as the directions say. and you should be good.

BE CAREFUL WITH THE POWDER... if you put straight powder on paint and it gets wet theres a good chance your paint will come off with it...

if not gas works.

MY TIP

If you happen to be out of carb cleaner/lube/ etc for hoses and things that wont go on. just use handsoap and water. havent had a problem yet

[NiSilS14]

I' m not sure if this has been mentioned, but when I go to install an engine into car. I'll put the motor mounts loosely on the brackets rather then keeping them on the crossmember. Makes it easier for me rather then having to try to get the bolt hole to line up with the stud on the motor mount.

For the flywheel trick i use a socket wedged between a trans bolt and the ring gear of the flywheel instead of the pry bar that was mentioned before hand.

[thrasher324]

take your exhaust off if your working on something big. cuz i dropped some bolts right into the down pipe LOL

[thrasher324]

if you feel like sneezing, and you cant, look up to the sun, and youll sneeze :)

hahahah i do that too but it doesnt work on everyone

[michael_torres]

Speaking of hose clamps...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/TurboDrifterZar/clambizo.jpg

Better than aftermarket.
now this one of the best things to do when you have a shitty ass catback that hangs low

[deuce40sxftw]

wd40 takes off grease from hands really easily, so you dont waste expensive carb cleaner and all that good shit, plus it stings if you get carb cleaner on a cut. only downside is wd40 causes cancer, but so does motor oil and all taht other shit

[mcloud]

Instead of having to worry about getting the crud off your hands... how bout never getting it on your hands in the first place? I'm talkin' about gloves of course... a good pair of nitrile gloves that fit can be a lifesaver. It sucks when you wash your hands 4 times and the shit won't come off and you've gotta go to work in couple minutes. Then the idiot in the next cubicle over asks you why your hands are so dirty. But you never liked that prick anyways.... um yea, anyways...

The catch is, they have to fit. Too small, they tear. Too big, intricate detail work becomes a pain in the ass.
http://www.gwjcompany.com/images/G_H_I/nitrile-disposable-gloves.gif

Thought of another one that helped me one time. If you're like me and the Incredible Hulk put your oil filter on last oil change, one trick you can use if you don't have a oil filter wrench handy is use a belt. You just loop it through, wrap it around the filter and pull to the left. Usually works. Don't have a belt either? You can use a long screwdriver and a hammer. It's messy, but you puncture the filter all the way through with the screwdriver and voila, instant handle (and oil all over your hands and screwdriver, but you're wearing gloves now, right, and you don't care). Now turn the handle and your filter comes off.

[udon!]

What tricks do you guys use to degrease some serious shit? I'm talking about worst of the worst. What gind of grease eaters do you use? I used that purple shit, didint even make a dent in it.

A very small amount of muratic acid ( can be bought from pool supply store ) will remove any type of grime pretty much insantly.

[joeapple8]

Wd40+gojo=wonders

[trsilvias13]

loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car or your gonna feel retarded when you need to ask someone in the house to put their foot on the brake lol.

take the handle out of the jack. use it and press the brakes, and the other end is against your seat or something. You wont need anyone to hold the brakes. Also work with a broom stick.

[heavenboundkevin]

take the handle out of the jack. use it and press the brakes, and the other end is against your seat or something. You wont need anyone to hold the brakes. Also work with a broom stick.

im a loser with no friends, so i used this method to bleed my clutch after finishing my auto to 5spd swap in a parking lot.

[BMXer91331]

use a condom for sex it saves you every time (if it doesnt break)

[tru180sx]

weld a socket to your oem scissor jack,so u can use a ratchet or impact to get the car up faster instead of that twisting action.

[duynguyenn240]

weld a socket to your oem scissor jack,so u can use a ratchet or impact to get the car up faster instead of that twisting action.

Ill do this tomorrow nvr think of that

[stockbee]

don't know if it's actually much of a tip rather than common sense, but if you notice your doors don't make that new car door shut anymore, try taking your door panel off and tightening the screws that hold everything in on the inside of the door panel. I did this while fixing replacing my window motor yesterday and didn't know shutting a door could be so satisfying afterward.

peace.

[sirfallsalot243]

don't know if it's actually much of a tip rather than common sense, but if you notice your doors don't make that new car door shut anymore, try taking your door panel off and tightening the screws that hold everything in on the inside of the door panel. I did this while fixing replacing my window motor yesterday and didn't know shutting a door could be so satisfying afterward.

peace.

Did your window rattle before? And no longer does? I just assumed this was something that happens on doors that don't surround the whole window. If your window rattled and no longer does.. im taking my door apart TODAY. haha. I guess it is common sense, but I never thought to do it.

[maxxdsix]

weld a socket to your oem scissor jack,so u can use a ratchet or impact to get the car up faster instead of that twisting action.
lol instant car jacking with an impact gun, on the ground one min in the air the next.

[DataXUnknown]

Dont buy anything from Megan Racing.

I'm quoting this for truth.

A few inputs of my own:
-Always have proper lighting when working on a car
-KEEP YOUR SHIT ORGANIZED. Otherwise you lose bolts and end up going into your bolt box and putting in the wrong size stuff or just no bolt at all.

[maxxdsix]

I'm quoting this for truth.

A few inputs of my own:
-Always have proper lighting when working on a car
-KEEP YOUR SHIT ORGANIZED. Otherwise you lose bolts and end up going into your bolt box and putting in the wrong size stuff or just no bolt at all.
eh half the bolts houlding cars together arent really necessary anyways....only the important ones...lol