Share your wrenching tips and tricks!

[RicoS]

[danfromsyr]

on really rusty really stubborn bolts. patience and persistence
with ample penetrent of choise (pb blaster or Kroil for me)
loosen a little (smidge)
take back the slack
*reapply penetrent
loosen a smidge more
take back the slack
loosen a smidge more
take back the slack
loosen a smidge more
*reapply penetrent
take back the slack
loosen a smidge more
take back the slack
loosen a smidge more
take back the slack
*reapply penetrent
loosen a smidge more
take back the slack
loosen a smidge more
take back the slack

for this I don't use a ratchet but a mini breaker bar type.

till it comes out or breaks. it was likely to break anyways. but you stand a better chance of not with patience and persistence
_________________

[RicoS]

[DanHoug]

[/quote] Reminds me of the guy (damn, I wish TK were still here, he'd remember his name) on the Gerry list about 30 years ago who described the method his granpap had taught him to loosen rusted-on fasteners.

Richie (near The Burgh)[/quote]

sounds like Unca Joel! Joel Walker from Tuscaloosa, AL. i was on that list back in the day....

-dan

[RicoS]

[danfromsyr]

Rico I was on there way back then in the day....
you can still peruse the vanagon list archives...

here's a search link to Unca Joel's posts..

http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S2=vanagon...;a=&b=
_________________

[RicoS]

[joetiger]

[Jake de Villiers]

[T3 Pilot]

Shop tip for keeping CV joint parts organized when cleaning and inspecting.

Use round paper plates and write the joint location on the plate to keep the parts together and the original orientation on the Van straight in your head.

Useful for planning joint position rotation relative to the Van when putting them back in service.
_________________
1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

[Merian]

Best Tip:

RTFM
_________________
....

[nemobuscaptain]

[nemobuscaptain]

[jlrftype7]

To wrap Electrical Tape in a tight area where you don't have enough room to spin a normal/full sized roll- Do This: Take a small 1/4" drive socket, pick one that you don't normally use, like 12mm, wrap your electrical tape around the socket, getting a good amount on it. Now use that socket like a spool, and spin it around your wire or harness in that small space you're working in. Works great and if it's a socket you almost never use, you can leave what ever tape you didn't use for the next wiring job.

If you use 1/4" Hex driver bits in a cordless tool or impact Driver, there's a really neat Magnet from FastCap that I highly recommend, esp. for Interior and Dash Work. It's a Red plastic shield of 2 magnets , that allow for different sized hex or screwdriver shank sizes to fi through the two magents. You slide the magnet over your bit, and now you can loosen ,and not lose, that steel bolt or screw.
You are now also set for reinstalling since even a long driver bit can have the magnet slid down near the tip to hold your fastener. The plastic prevents marring Dash Plastic or Leather/Vinyl material for the most part since it's soft enough generally, and being Red,you don't lose it in a car that easily either. I own multiple ones, for work and for home.

[61Scout]

Here's a tip that someone might find useful. If you've ever found that a tube of silicone or perhaps some touch up paint has dried up from sitting around too long, here's an easy solution. Invest in a vacuum sealer. They aren't terribly expensive if buying new, maybe $60. But like a crockpot, it also seems to be one of those kitchen items that can always be found in the local thrift store for under $10. Also craigslist, offerup, letgo, and yard sales are good places to find one on the cheap. Not only are they awesome for food storage needs, but they are very handy to have around the workshop. I like to buy the long continuous rolls and simply cut the bags I need. With the money you save by not having sealants, adhesives and paints go bad from sitting on the shelf, it will pay for itself.

Here's the little vacuum sealer I use:

Simply cut the bag to the size you need and seal on three sides. I like to leave it a little long so I can use the bag again.

The finished product. This silicone (for my house) will be ready to use the next time I need it, even years from now.

Regards,
Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=

-Nec Spe, Nec Metu