Tools used to repair motor vehicles. Avoid shopping questions.
Tools used to repair motor vehicles. Avoid shopping questions.
For example:
- Spanner
- Monkey wrench
- Car Jack
Questions tagged [tools]
186 questions
50
votes
6 answers
What is the most efficient method of getting your car unstuck from snow?
If your car is stuck in snow and you don't have any chains, what can be done to get it out? This can be an unnerving problem to have and it happens pretty easily with normal driving on ice. You wind up in a snowbank sliding into it at 10 mph or…
DucatiKiller
- 32,910
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16
votes
5 answers
Impact vs. Regular Sockets
What is the difference between impact vs regular ratchet/breaker bar sockets? They look similarly shaped and their corresponding tool drives seem to be of the same dimensions. Are the impact stronger? If I have impact in one size, do I need…
amphibient
- 6,653
- 40
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10
votes
3 answers
What is a suitable air compressor for a home garage?
What type and size air compressor (HP, Tank Size, CFM, direct drive/2 stage... etc) would be suitable for a home garage where I'm going to do small amounts of maintenance but nothing major?
So I would need to be able to use a tyre inflator and a…
Scott
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9
votes
2 answers
Is it worth having a fire extinguisher in the car?
I've always had a small 1 Kg (2.2 pounds) multipurpose ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher in the car. It has finally expired and I'm wondering whether I should get a new one.
In my region it is not mandatory to carry one and, I've heard several…
John Assymptoth
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7
votes
3 answers
How do I remove a pulley where I have no way of stopping it turning anti-clockwise, like I'm turning the nut?
I've been told I need an airgun, but I have no means of getting one. An alternative is a tool that looks like this. It has a handle of flat steel that splits into a wide U, almost Y shaped but the V part of the Y is a U. At the end of each side of…
ProfK
- 465
- 2
- 5
- 13
7
votes
3 answers
What is a tap and die set and how do I use them?
I have two questions.
What is a tap and die set?
and
How do I use a tap and a die?
DucatiKiller
- 32,910
- 22
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7
votes
5 answers
Broken Socket Wrench: My Fault or Poor Quality
I was trying to remove the oil pan plug nut and found that it was on extremely tightly. I was using a fairly inexpensive socket wrench ( for only the second time ) and couldn't get it to budge. So I took a small hammer and tapped ( really just…
Robert S. Barnes
- 15,708
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6
votes
2 answers
Why do you need to use a flare nut wrench instead of the open part of a combination spanner?
When undoing some bolts eg clutch slave cylinder it seems a lot of people use a flare nut wrench since the open part allows you to get around say a pipe which a normal
Socket would not do.
However it seems to me you could just use the open end of a…
James Wilson
- 2,736
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6
votes
2 answers
What types of bits are needed to work on a modern car?
As I've started working on cars made during this century, I've started noticing that bits other than standard philips and flat head are being used. For instance, I needed an 8mm hex bit ( allen wrench style ) to open the calipers on a 2007 Mazda 3,…
Robert S. Barnes
- 15,708
- 69
- 148
- 239
6
votes
2 answers
Torque wrench not clicking
My torque wrench stopped clicking when it reached the torque set. Does that mean it needs to be recalibrated or it is broken for good?
The torque I was trying to set was pretty regular, something like 30-40 ft/lbs., regular hex bolts. It doesn't…
amphibient
- 6,653
- 40
- 92
- 129
6
votes
2 answers
What is this pump-type nut fastener called and where is it useful?
At 1:42 in this S62 production video the engine assembler uses a pump-style tool to fasten the plenum cover nuts.
What is this tool called? How does it work? Can it be used to loosen and fasten nuts, just like a ratchet?
Zaid
- 39,111
- 48
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5
votes
1 answer
What tools are needed for a mechanic in Scotland
I am a Canadian automotive mechanic moving to Scotland to work, and I am in the process of deciding what to ship over (by boat). Just wondering what standard of tool is needed. I have both metric and US imperial sizes and wonder if I need to ship…
Paul Watson
- 51
- 1
5
votes
1 answer
Why would I want to magnetize a screwdriver?
Why would I want to magnetize my screwdriver?
and
How would I magnetize my screwdriver?
DucatiKiller
- 32,910
- 22
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- 265
5
votes
2 answers
Air Impact Wrench vs Air Ratchet Wrench
What is the difference between an air IMPACT wrench and an air RATCHET wrench? They appear to be of the same sort.
Is there a difference in the drive shape in that the impact has a different drive to which the sockets are shaped so they are not…
amphibient
- 6,653
- 40
- 92
- 129
4
votes
2 answers
Why do tap wrenches have a four cornered shaft and get fastened by a bolt?
Tap wrenches are designed like this one:
But with this design the bolt always untightens wile using the tool.
Why isn't it designed like this:
kimliv
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