Whats the best automotive tip you have?

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by Imagine_

Tip:

- Where a pair of rubber gloves, it'll save you time trying to get the oil, brake dust off your hands! lol

For those bike riders amongst us, get out an old set of riding gloves and use those. You'll never get grazed knuckles again, provides some padding if ya do slip and makes finger gripping hard to get bolts even easier.

[mrbaxr6t]

Originally Posted by NJXR6

Mrbaxr6t, with the butter thing...does that really work? And how ok earth did you figure that out?

yes it really works mate, rub it on and wait a while then rub off - does not work with margarine, and I figured it out by listening to an older more experienced guy - one of my other tips ;)

[mafiastafcar]

Originally Posted by rag top

Stay away from your local ford dealer for servicing...

+1

[mafiastafcar]

Knowledge is Power. If you know what's wrong with the car, you'll know how to fix it, or at least know if the mechanic is feeding you fairy tales.

[LANKY 1]

you don't need to carry every tool you have with in the car. because you are not gonna do a engine transplant on the way to work/side of the road.

If ur really nice u can carry all your tools and rescue the holdens that have broken down on the side of the road

[jcxr]

Dont lend out your tools, or your missus. They wll always come back rooted.

[FPV+fteT3]

If your not sure you can do the job dont start it pay a pro. I dont know many mechanics that like to repair other peoples shotcomings some will do it but it will cost you more.

[merlin]

I always wear disposable rubber gloves when working on the car (buy from Coles in a 100 pack) - no hand washing is great.

Also spend a little extra $$$ on quality tools. A socket is not a socket and not all screwdrivers are born equal. It makes everything SO much easier and you will get your money back in the long run from not breaking parts or tools.

[Busted]

The best way to remove the spigot bush out of the back of your crank.
Step 1. fill the space behind the bush and inside bush with grease
Step 2. Find a drift that is close the same size as the hole in the bush.
step 3. place drift into the start of the bush.
step 4 . use a hamer and give the drift one good hard hit.
keep filling and hitting till bush pops out. should only take 2- 3 hits at the most.


PS
Do not try this on the Newer style Chev engines. There cranks are hollow and only have a plug on the inside of the crank that will drop into sump using this method.

[MAD]

^^^ I used water soaked paper and a socket extension.

I didn't want to try grease for the mess factor.

[BIGDOG]

Never buy the First Model of anything.

[svo347]

Originally Posted by whales

If your doing something you have not done before get your digital camera and take a picture of it before pulling it apart.
Can be helpful when putting it back together and doesn't cost anything

Now theres a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GTP 290]

Car modification guide

-cheap
-reliable
-fast

you may only pick 2 options

[Ozzyiceman]

Originally Posted by GTP 290

Car modification guide

-cheap
-reliable
-fast

you may only pick 2 options

It doesn't get much simpler than this!

[500SEC]

Originally Posted by VioletGT

Righty Tighty - Left Loosy.

nice one

[svo347]

Originally Posted by X000BOSS

if in need of a little lube (for injector o-rings for example), and the vaso etc is no where to be seen, get the little satchel of lube from your packet of condoms.

Packet? man i havent even seen one in years

[Lost Down Under]

Originally Posted by Streets

Leave the nut on the bolt when you're going to pull a steering wheel off unless you want a broken nose.

That's gold
Have to say that you'll only do it once. I know I did!

[alter_EGOXR]

Originally Posted by 500SEC

Or....don't pay a mechanic to do anything.

Your car will come back with either new scratches, repaired panels, lighter fuel tank &/or they will use their apprentice 16yo mechanic.

Tip - buy as many manuals as possible, DIY; you'll know it gets done properly.

yep i second that!

[Springfield_Johny]

keep a spare key in your wallet

[FPVF6X189]

make sure you when you change oil filters that the old o-ring comes off with it

[pottery beige]

Odd nut & bolt bucket....

[mad cow]

buy a ford.

[Papa Smurf]

If you have problems from a mechanic or Dealer, don't just whine about it in Forums, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Write to the Dealer or Workshop (putting it in writing means that they can't say you never said anything). IF that fails go to CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

ALWAYS keep receipts in a safe place keep copies of letters received and sent.

[Rev28K]

If your wheel hubs and brake callipers aren’t painted give them a quick coat of pot belly stove black paint.

It’s cheap, can stand hot temperatures and even the worst paint job looks way better than corroded metal.

Don’t worry about painting over the rotors. Once the paint has dried this will be wiped clean by the pads.

[Imagine_]

Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone:

If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.

Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

[Iggypoppin']

That, imagine, is incredible. How on earth did you work that out??

[Imagine_]

Hey NJXR6,

Working in the trade has its benefits lol.... but the only issue is you generally can't lock your car with central locking and have the keys still inside it with the later model spec vehicles... but i believe the earlier cars you can!...

[colossus]

lol that myth was busted

[mr_xr8]

if you cant fix it with duct tape or wd40 its electrical... better get a bigger hammer then

when pulling an engine make sure your roof is high enough to get it out