The Best 10 Bucks ever spent!!

JP · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2004, 05:31 PM

I just wanted to share an experience I had today. Yesterday I received my new engine & trans. well this morning I went out into the 10 degree world to start my project. The first thing I tried to tackle was all of the stubborn bolts I was going to need to loosen. First was the intake & exhaust manifolds, they came right out, I guess a week of PB Blaster did help after all! next was the skid plate... HA! yeah right! tried the 4 foot pipe, the hammer, then the foot (kicking the crap out of my 1/2 socket wrench) nope. Took it to a garage down the street and offered the very busy gentleman $30 to break 'em. After pulling a car off of the lift he was putting on when I pulled in the driveway, all it took was 10 minutes and he had all of the bolts I needed freed up, skid plate & motor mounts. AND only charged me $10 he wouldnt take a dollar more (& I tried) I have read so many threads here where people spent hours fighting with seized bolts on skid plates, suspension components, and the such. I can tell you that I'll have him do the same when it comes time for a lift kit!

jeepdude832 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2004, 06:19 PM

I use a cargo strap anchored to another vehicle on the end of my socket wrench

Tug-n-pull · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2004, 07:09 PM

Man I hear you. I have a great friend in the dude that owns Jerry's auto just across from me. I do any thing I can for Jerry and in favor I get my Jeep worked on at a good price and sometimes even free. If I have a tool or something that comes thru the Auction that he can use, I get it for him no charge or as cheap as I can. Many times as a surprise.

The Mom and Pop Shops are the best for a jeep owner. Make a friend with this guy and do what you can for him so when the the time comes again you can call on him. Not the kind of friend you just see when you need but a real friend that you stop in just to say hey to from time to time. tug

pushead · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2004, 08:13 AM

Why not just by a impact wrench? I bought one for 70 bucks at lowes thats rated up to 450 oor 500 pounds. That bad boy breaks everything free. The air compressor was only $200 bucks. Best money I ever spent. Made me wonder why the hell I waited so long to buy it. Life is good now.

redrooster · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-2004, 10:45 AM

No substitute for good air tools. It will save you much time and cursing, especially when doing an engine swap. At least borrow some for this job. Oh yeah, a 3/4" ratchet and a length of pipe works too.

beachjeep · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2004, 07:57 PM

Yeah, my pitman arm bolt (the big one) was frozen on when i was finishing up my lift. I took it to this guy down the street and he pulled out this impact wrench that took 2 people to hold and finally got it off. and guess what , cost me $10 bucks. I agree air tools are definitely nice to have, my compressor is coming this summer, gotta have em for the big jobs and makes the small jobs that much easier.

TwistedCopper · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepdude832

I use a cargo strap anchored to another vehicle on the end of my socket wrench

Whew! That sounds like something I'd see in a safety video at work. hehehe

When I did my suspension, I thought I was going to yank my Jeep off the jackstands a couple of times! I had to put her on the ground, break all the nuts & bolts loose, then put her back up. I used a BF Craftsman breaker bar I bought to get them free (and of course PB BlaSTER)