Weird things I Use to Fix Cars

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[@snapmac5547]

I use a golf tee to plug vacuum lines instead of line clamps.

[@flatratemaster]

Old school right there!

[@goldmember320]

BushWOOD!!!

[@FishFind3000]

Nice tip

[@matthewslauenwhite7277]

When ever you get air valves for large truck they always come with some stuck in the vent

[@NodnarbRS]

Me too.

[@RIDEONDIRT14]

Lighters, nail polish has been common in my box, house scissors, sharpies, circle templates and other various craft things from hobby lobby for patern layouts.

[@superfliping]

Wifes uv finger nail paints to rebuild plastic connectors and parts. A fence Stretcher and tie down strapsand car hauling straps to pull off drive shaft and CV axles. Rebar tywire to hold Springs to replace control arms. Compress Spring with Jack 3 wraps around spring with wire and use new wire.

[@stephenshaw9131]

Use valve grinding compound on the tip of your phillips screwdriver to remove worn screws. Increases the grip substantially.

[@bigpicturethinking5620]

Yes indeed this is an oldie but a goodie.

[@thatmechanicguy8773]

Muffin trays...label each small muffin compartment with a tiny piece of masking tape. Helps keep bolts sorted when you’re doing major engine work. Since I work at a dealer, I have about 8 different labeled trays for different jobs I do repeatedly. Like the 2AZ piston replacements, or Tundra cam housing jobs.

[@keithpepper340]

That’s old school for sure but it works well

[@donaldpainter628]

I use this for valve springs and retainers or any other parts

[@mikemcdonald7652]

I like to use KY jelly when I'm doing coolant hoses and o rings as a lubricant because it's water based. I keep a tube. And I keep patreoleum for engine work with oil based seals.

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

🤦🏼‍♂️

[@brianburns7211]

That must get odd looks from your coworkers!

[@thelostdogboy]

Silicone grease /dielectric grease... Brake pins.... Rubber o-rings...

[@ben10mama]

Coat hangers, sometimes if you need something to hold up a caliper or hold a thing out of the way, while they aren't the strongest they aren't bad and pretty easy to cut off when you don't need them. Our work we get uniforms and they come with the cheap coat hangers so I have a near unlimited supply

[@adameal1]

I like to use bungee cords to pull aside hoses without disconnecting and intake plentums for tune ups. Have it pulled aside with most connections.

[@kristopherhill2740]

love your videos as always. one other thing I will recommend is aluminum foil. in the rust belt the blue wrench is used a lot. and the aluminum foil will help keep the heat from burning rubber bits covered with the foil.

[@flatratemaster]

Nice tip!

[@blkthunderbolt]

I use a spatula for the same reason.

[@jrneff9773]

card board when pulling a transmission draw a circle punch holes in the circle for each bolt no wondering were did the longer bolt go or who took my starter bolts write on the board hey this bolt had a ground wire here. makes it ez for me when I am 2days out for parts or etc .

[@IMFDB]

i use a dealership grade parts catalog diagram to figure out how a job goes back together after a technician get's fired. very helpful for wiring harness routing orientation inside of a dash.

[@robotteck]

Brake kleen will re constitute butyl on vapor barrier, use sparingly. Baking soda will cause krazy glue to dry instantly. Plastic welding rods in dremel. Forceps. BBQ temp with dual probes.

[@evanmcmaster3900]

I use a nail remover with a screwdriver handle to pop off crush washers.

[@christiankeeto3563]

Binder clips for timing belts.

[@welddoctordoc7990]

Toothpaste is very fine rubbing compound good for some plastics, Nail polish can be used as a thread locker on small nuts and bolts.

[@ricmcusa]

I use an air wedge to hold up windows. Works great.

[@Drift_nut]

Speaker magnets for lug nut holders on your rack patten pending

[@spelunkerd]

As a Canadian hockey player, I buy bundled rolls of sock tape at Costco to hold socks in place about $10 for 10 rolls. It is about 1/4 the price of duct tape. I discovered this tape is excellent for holding hoses out of the way. What is really good is the way it has no residue, and it comes off easily. It is more durable and way less expensive than painters' tape.

[@mikecheney968]

i use a timing belt tensioner pin bent 90° at the tip for those stupid vw lug caps

[@88FCRX7]

Lol I bought a cheap set of harbor freight small needle noise pliers bent the tips out a little and use them to pull the caps off V-dub lug studs they get right into the little torx hole spread em open and pull

[@Byrdlipz]

I use a cut/custom shaped metal hanger to get leaves out of blower motors when the blow gun doesn't work.

[@herrbela84]

Plastic knives for crimping cables.

[@peterbondarchuk2785]

use a turkey baster for removing fluids.

[@flatratemaster]

Just don't tell the wife:)

[@goldmember320]

that's not all you use it for

[@r.a.p.k.models4160]

Peter Bondarchuk yeah or a battery fluid suction hand tete

[@18436572314159265]

I use golf tee too

[@unencumbered]

love the seam splitter...going to get a couple this weekend. Unfortunately coming up blank, this time of the morning, on what I 'misuse' at work. Great vid and book those hours!

[@flatratemaster]

Thanks you too!

[@sherischneider2672]

I like the idea of using the highlighters on the wiring diagrams, but I often have better luck using colored pencils on particularly tight diagrams. The pencils won't dry out, are easier to use with a ruler, and are somewhat erasable. PS; Thanks for a very well done video and interesting topic.

[@goldmember320]

ooo i could piddle the day away watching this channel, so long life! Been busy saving the little plastic airbags (that have replaced styrofoam) used in shipping packages. I snip off the tops in one swipe while they are still pereforated together. that keeps them compact, then have'm OnDemand for jobs that need lots of little same size baggies. worked perfect when needed 16 baggies each with a shot of motor oil to store and soak them cleaned up roller lifters. tied a knot at the top, putem in the line up. prolly saved a quart of motor oil too

[@flatratemaster]

Nice tip!

[@BeerStud]

Thanks for the video, some helpful information. I used heavy duty rubber bungee cords to hold the brake calipers instead of them hanging in the air by the brake hose.

[@flatratemaster]

Leaving them hanging is a big pet peeve of mine!

[@snap-off5383]

What do you use to clip your fingernails when you chip one in two? Fingernail clippers are a nice thing to have around. They can trim stuff SUPER flush.

[@iam1smiley1]

We use surgical pliers of all sorts from an old hospital that closed.

[@bryankbeane]

Comet cleaner to put on belts to shut them up....with a straw!

[@EduardoGonzalez-hh1jm]

I use a vacuum to empty the coolant system, way faster, easier and cleaner than using the drain plug. When I’m ready to remove the water pump for example, I don’t worry about having coolant leaking everywhere.

[@r.a.p.k.models4160]

Eduardo Gonzalez primera ves que lo oigo,donde lo chupas por el radiador?

[@rosscampbell6644]

teflon tape for cuts ..clings to it self ..release the tension when it starts to throb

[@flatratemaster]

I do keep med tape in my box as well

[@sherischneider2672]

Use various colors of paint markers to make a stripe across electrical and other connections before they are removed and then just match them up for easy reassembly.

[@danbritto4964]

Great video frm, also now days your cell phone camera can be super helpful 👍 nice , hyundai tech

[@kevinavery2518]

note on the super glue, I had an e.r. tech tell me when I went in too get stitched up, they glued me instead, but the only difference between that tube you got and what they use in the e.r. is the addition of food coloring to make it fda approved for use in the medical feild

[@stevenmccorvey7891]

hay bailing wire for either holding items out of the way or for back probing connectors once you cut the end at an angle to give it a sharp point, twine string for pulling wires or wiring harnesses through tight spots ( it is a time saver ).

[@flatratemaster]

Nice tips!

[@petemiller5813]

I use a 1 gallon paint can top remover from Home Depot to remove seals, cam, crank, etc.

[@THX-bh7dn]

Pete Miller clever!

[@r.a.p.k.models4160]

Pete Miller I know what you mean uhmmm

[@goldmember320]

just the tip! keep two little glass spice jars stored upright in the electrical repair zone. one jar has a couple tbs of salt dissolved in white vinegar. the other has baking soda disolved in h20. get your grundgy copper wire stripped and dip jar 1, stir the soup, plunge into jar 2 for neutralization....viola, shiny as a new 1943 penny. I absorbed that one off the internet, titled something like "old radio network maintenance repair trick". Too cumbersome for some I'm sure but I likey......only if my spice lids are plastic though the metal lids get shmegmad out real quick........oh yea and if you spill jar #1 you smell like feet all day

[@flatratemaster]

LOL,cool tip !

[@nonolabs]

Dollar store pack of paint brushes. Used to apply epoxies and jbweld. Gets in the corners. I also use the baking powder and super glue trick to fix paneling.

[@greasee.monkey7224]

A few key points: first, answering your question, I use ice cube trays at work for valvetrain jobs to keep lifters and rockers separated & organized. Also, I am currently super glued, so I'm definitely on board there. And as a tech who does a ton of timing work, I have a rainbow of paint markers, 100% agree with that. Lastly, I will be picking up a few seam splitters tonight. Thanks for a great vid.

[@Kemolz1]

A giant paper clip to hold the timing belt in time on the cam sprockets for an EJ SOHC

[@JoseGonzalez-qc9zx]

I use paper in a socket when I put the bolt in it so it won’t fall out when it try to put it in a bolt hole

[@aaab6054]

I use my lighter to melt in the end of rope tire plugs.

[@bob_a_dooda8434]

I don't own a breaker bar yet so I use a metal pipe over the ratchet. I love lifetime warranty

[@davidedmundson8402]

Can also fit a long socket over end of ratchet, then add an extension (usually 1/2 inch).

[@DOYLECLEVERLOBE1]

Great tips! Never used anything but a lighter for heat shrink.

[@flatratemaster]

It is my go to everytime:)

[@travis103192]

Chain saw round file, silicone spatula, oyster shucker, hockey puck, and a few other odds and ends I didn’t see mentioned. All have seen a variety of use but are definitely used more than one would think.

[@johnburgett5040]

PB Blaster if it doesn't move and should. Duct tape if it moves and shouldn't.

[@thatcrazywolf]

I saw a photo in the KIA service manual of a tech using a clamp to hold the window up. I started doing that after I saw that and it works really well.

[@genxmurse7019]

The blue painter's tape is actually best for working on window regulators.

[@mechanicandskills7215]

Old seat belt buzzer as a wiggle wire tester...

[@flatratemaster]

Nice!

[@daveoneal5544]

toothbrush, Vaseline, ky jelly, contractors bags, wire coat hangers, guitar strings, binder clips, plastic spoons, nail files, matches, a roll of gasket paper, Ziploc bags, and a bottle of mineral spirits.

[@flatratemaster]

Very interesting list:)

[@JanoyCresva]

Sounds like what me and my mistress use on our getaways.

[@goldmember320]

I wrap a mini bungee cords around every spray can I open, to keep the little straw with its mother, so it stays put even if constantly tossed around. mini and midi bungees for holding up wirelooms utta the way, errbddy an their Grama already knows that though

[@flatratemaster]

nice!

[@sammbarnes7960]

Panty hose. Always keep a few packages in the side locker for when I'm working up against a firewall or, I'm using the heat gloves, so my arms don't get filled up with fiberglass.

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

pressure washer and leaf blower makes the jobs much cleaner and cooler. so much nicer working on a clean engine or clean brakes.

[@stefanczechorskidds8435]

Thank you FRM, very helpful to the DIY'er and the Pro. Also, your professional approach (ie. no foul language) sets a great example for your upcoming colleagues. I can assure you it does not go un-noticed. Automobiles are getting very expensive and sophisticated, you can not be to professional.

[@flatratemaster]

Thank you glad you enjoy the content!

[@Mr_Clean]

Couple banana peels shuts a noisy rear diff right up

[@asianrice02]

I live off zip ties to button up plastic panels and such underneath the car. made a lug cap removal tool for audi and vw using wire coat hanger from work's dry cleaner.

[@flatratemaster]

gotta have zip ties! I use my internal snap ring pliers for those damn caps

[@xephael3485]

Weird that this was just recommended to me by KZbin. 🤣. You look a bit younger and less stressed out 🤪

[@davidkanengieter]

I know it's an old video, but I enjoy them so much, I'm watching all the older ones. Something I use is cheap plastic squeeze clamps. Wally world has a 20 piece bag of various sizes in the hardware area for about 12 bucks. They are great for holding up door windows for regulator or latch work. Also use them as an extra set of fingers to hold panels and small brackets so you can use both hands to start fasteners and not fight the holes shifting. .

[@TheBudgetTechnician]

When stripping any larger gauge wire, I use a pipe cutter. Put the wire through to where it needs to be stripped to, twist the knob to set the blade about 1/3 of the way through the jacket, spin the unit until it spins easy, adjust blade depth, and repeat until it's through the jacket, then I use it to pull the cut jacket off. I also use a square glass halogen headlamp when searching for shorts. Solder a wire with a small space to the ground part of the lamp, repeat for the positive, and plug into a slot. As long as there is a short the headlamp illuminates, when you find the short it turns off.

[@brotherbrian1]

Old spark plugs to stop up fluid hoses when loose, and turkey baster with a small hose on the end for emptying out fluid reservoirs.

[@markteaney4973]

Dish soap you can mix it with water and spray to find air leaks also hot soapy water to clean piston rings Landings off

[@Toolaholic7]

Coat hangers,made a tool to check fluid level in differantials out of one.Bungee cords,great for holding up GM rack and pinions when the engine cradle is removed for transaxle replacement.Don't do this,the steering coupler comes apart.Dental style picks,they make great picks for some applications.

[@flatratemaster]

Yep I forgot bungee cords:(

[@Toolaholic7]

I did buy 3 of them seam rippers you suggested and I know one application for this.One is for ABS wiring harness replacement in GMs going to the front wheelbearing.

[@flatratemaster]

You will use them all them time, you need to pull apart a harness, but that is a common repair:)

[@RingZero]

Kerosene as parts washer, I add little diesel in it if I have it, Turkey baster for fluids, paint thinner to clean oil residue, magnets to hold stuff.... used kitchen pots and broken pans to hold fasteners, bunjie cords, pant belts to hold window panes...

[@ClaytonBridges]

theres a rubber pad thats used for traction for removing lids, I use it for more traction on a multitude of things

[@NEXbyFORTIS]

File clips to hold timing belts to cam pulley, bungee cords to hold up wire harness while pulling heads, manifolds etc etc

[@harveysmith100]

I watched this about a year ago and forgot I did. I did however buy a seam cutting tool. Great great tip. Highly recommend it.

[@18436572314159265]

I use my jelly for my radiator tubes

[@gregoryfairchild2460]

I use the long lighters like for bbq s...all the stuff you said, super glue gel, , paperclips for shorting things like relay sockets, kids bubbles for finding leaks cheap, zip ties, wD40 as wasp killer works excellent and non poisonous, old sweeper cord made 16ft jumper wires just add alligator clips, old license plate torch barrier, ground down a Taiwan extension made a drift.

[@shawnz241]

Thanks for the ripper idea!

[@flatratemaster]

It is awesome!

[@Yotataco04]

I use bungee cords to hold calipers, coolant hoses out of the way, intakes up, keeping tension on serpentine belt so It stays on all pulleys except the one I'm working on. The best bungee cords are the black ones that have holes all along it so you can move the hooks.

[@normansmith7806]

I have used Super Glue to patch many many cut fingers . But as u said not recommending it :)

[@flatratemaster]

LOL, quicker and easier than a band aid:)

[@EXOVCDS]

Must... remember... to... get... a... seam... splitter!! =) 2k subs already... good stuff buddy!

[@flatratemaster]

Thanks Thomas!

[@davidcraven277]

instead of buying a a spark liter for torches use a igniter from a gas grill just pit a metal fitting on it for a ground and some heat shrink it works every time and beats 35.00 for a real one

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

Super glue a cut. Takes it from blood gore and emergency room... to almost like it never happened. No doctor visit necessary.

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

Unless you really need one of course......

[@HardKnocksForge]

I use super glue for the same thing. I've got a couple of scars that cost me $3 from Walmart vs $800 from the hospital/doctors office. I started using glue for cuts when I took my kid to the ER and that's what they used. It was right above her eye and they used it because it wouldn't leave as bad of a scar as the stitches would leave.

[@flatratemaster]

Been using it for years!

[@loganbullee6957]

That's what super glue was originally made for

[@donaldpainter628]

Yes I use it to and the burn will wake you up lol

[@snap-off5383]

I've filleted myself a few times and layed it back together with superglue, you still have to remember to take it easy on that area, it works so good you forget its not structurally intact anymore.

[@robertcraciun9587]

Real long flat head screwdriver to listen to engine noise. Put wherever and then put you’re eat on handle and you’ll find the noise. Piece of 4x4 cause it always comes in handy. Zip ties will save you’re life a lot more than once as well.

[@brotherbrian1]

We also use paint pens when we disconnect struts from the knuckle to make sure they go back in the same place.

[@enochcheng2741]

bread mixed with brake pad lubricant

[@jordanhankins8644]

I'd love to hear your input on service advisors rushing techs but they lose their minds when a tech rushes them a bit. I've been a tech for Honda for 3 years and that's the one thing that gets under my skin

[@goldmember320]

q-tip stash stored in a giant tic-tac container. not the ghetto mart q-tips though, the nice tight ones that don't shed in my valve bore

[@flatratemaster]

Always Handy!

[@larrywebb8309]

The Amazing goop glue , can be used for so many things that it would blow your mind , one example would be to make homemade grommets, withstands extreme heat and extreme cold. The chrome looking HVAC tape has a lot of uses too , very sticky,

[@jameslittle7482]

Seam ripper is the best thing ever☺. Shock no other KZbin's said that in their videos.Lighters to works great working next to a smoker has one every time i need one aka not a smoker my self. Great videos keep them coming thank you for your time to all the younger guys like my self. Do u have a video on dealer flat rate vs aftermarket flat rate? Think it would be a good video.

[@flatratemaster]

Humble Mechanic did a video like this a while ago and i recommended the seam ripper to him, he now loves it too;) I honestly found out about it here on youtube, on a connector tool video.

[@ericverster4069]

Stole from one of the techs that taught me. Food bag clamps to hold on serpentine belts if you're just pulling a quickie on one of the accessories.

[@chuckpyle1624]

I kind of washer bottle open and use it for like a funnel for listening for noises for pulleys

[@brendanmahrt2387]

Lighter is good for pushing in stubborn Christmas tree clips . Heat them enough just to get them soft then they go in like butter

[@goldmember320]

grapes, baby carrots, snacks of similar size stored in a shallow tupperware (emphasis on the shallow), so for whence famished it can be opened, even with dirty gloves, and vaccumed out by mouth in sufficient quantities to be stored in the cheeks and slowly nursed upon while you GET BACK TO WORK

[@flatratemaster]

Gotta keep working even when hungry:)

[@OgrePantaloons]

This was a beautiful post.

[@sockpuppets7256]

i use chopsticks for my snacks while im working with gloves

[@Alanthe918mobilemechanic]

Lmao no disrespect frm has the belly of the old dad who’s been wrenching longer then I been alive and his belly is like a signature thing every older master tech I’ve ever met have that belly but they are still super hard workers and seem to turn out more work then most of the younger techs in the shop I guess the more knowledge about swinging wrenches the bigger the belly gets 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@brandong1990]

Had a customer throw away a set of golf clubs I kept one the retrieve things that roll under work benches tire racks and stuff

[@memopat1]

Bag of rubber bands in my tool box at all times

[@flatratemaster]

+memopat1 lol, Ford special tool too😉

[@matthewslauenwhite7277]

I'm disappointed metal coat hangers wasn't on the list. Use them for fishing things out holding parts up or back etc.

[@prevost8686]

Bungee cords are the greatest multipurpose tool I’ve ever used.

[@ryansmith6619]

Paint markers also work well if you get pissed and scratch the hell out of a car with a socket and need to cover it up

[@StealthShadow5]

I use a ratchet strap or sling (I don’t really know the name) for rear strut on Mitsubishi lancer and outlander and for alternator on Nissan Murano among other cars

[@matth9359]

I saw you mention binder clips in another video for timing belts. What do you do with those? Thanks!

[@flatratemaster]

Use them to hold the Belt on the Cam Sprockets, so they do not come off while you are getting the belt on the rest of the pulleys and crank.

[@matth9359]

Flat Rate Master ah, ok. I appreciate your videos. I'm making a career change at 36 from a desk job and feel like I'm sort of learning the ropes binging on your channel.

[@ClaytonBridges]

I learned about that seam splitter thing from humble mechanic, oh my god is it easy

[@TheWildmanjr]

I use a suction cup shower handle when doing window regulator. Name a best way to hold Subaru window up?

[@flatratemaster]

Jam a chunk of rubber between the window and the door

[@ozzstars_cars]

Anything to make life easier

[@flatratemaster]

Yep!

[@benmayne7910]

Decorating roller to re bond door membranes

[@SiliconvalleyVC]

I once got cut really bad with a razor. It cut pretty deep and it wouldn't stop bleeding. So I poured coffee beans on it, but the cut up coffee beans. It sucked the blood pretty quick. An old trick my mom taught me. didn't no that about super glue.