Have you ever wished that you were a better mechanic???

I don`t tend to lose nuts and bolts its tools, you put a spanner down and then go to use it and then its not there and, then it appears in a totally random place, I`m sure I am not the only one this phenomenom happens too lmao?? If I am then I need to up my meds.

 

About a year ago I replaced the rear discs, pads and shoes on my motor.
Test drove it round the local lanes, all good.
Went for a walk the same evening and about 1/2 mile from home I spotted a locking wheel nut socket in the road.
I'll have that as a spare if it fits my car, hang on is it mine ?
Yes, you guessed it, like a dim witted twat I had left it on the wheel nut and taken it for a test ride.
Lucky to have found it like I did.

 

Nothing wrong with being left handed

 

BMW 320D standard model
Integral drum and disc.
Brake shoes for the handbrake, bugger to adjust requiring a screwdriver through one of the wheel nut holes to move a serrated nut which separates the shoes, the final adjustment being done on the cable inside the car.
Pads for the disc

 

Get a torque wrench particularly when working on alloy

 

An Impact driver is the best way of getting those bloody cross head screws out, but what the hell Jack! You say you put them back in ?
Funny enough I tried to use my impact driver 2 days ago for the first time in many years, only trouble being the hex socket had been so mashed up that it had no effect.
The old trusty centre punch and hammer to the rescue, the guy watching couldn't believe it he had been trying for days.

 

Last time I tell you owt! lol

 

i have only got the old style impact wrench , just love having to give it a smack with a hammer.
Remember a few years back was helping a mate replace the front suspension on his car.
We had just got the first spring compressed down and were taking it out.
I dropped it.
One of the spring compresses stayed in place the other didn't. Wasn't sure what to do at this point as I wasn't too keen on being close to that spring if the other compressor came off.
Thankfully we were able to get the other one back on so that we could release the compressors evenly.

 

Little tip, if you have difficulty trying to remove a trashed cross head screw, stretch an elastic band over the top of the screw and then push the screw bit into the band and the screw head and hey presto. Its on you tube not sure how to do the linky thingy lol

 

Do I wish I was a better mechanic?

Every time I pick up a spanner!

 

Well Mark, that is the first time I have heard of that technique.
If it helps by adding a bit of extra grip it is certainly worth trying.
Any colour preference of rubber band mentioned ?

 

Just don't use your power band

 

Yeah lol I prefer the blue variety.

 

This is what I love about this forum