DIY Mechanic Mistakes

   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #51  
Years ago I was building a project and we hired one of our workers sons for a summer job as a gofor. The kid was about 16 and it was his first job.

One of the carpenters sent him to get a couple of 2x6's for blocking. After about 10 minutes he returned and told the carpenter that he couldn't find any 2x6's, all he could find were ones that were 1 1/2 by 5 1/2 :laughing:
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #52  
New clerk in hardware store ask if he can help me find something. I need a one inch bolt. He says they don't have any that large, but could I use two half inch bolts instead.

Bruce
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #53  
New clerk in hardware store ask if he can help me find something. I need a one inch bolt. He says they don't have any that large, but could I use two half inch bolts instead.

Bruce

A hardware didn't have that size?? Maybe he didn't graduate high school or he failed common sense class
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #54  
I always replace my brakes myself, and I have always had Chevys. I have 2 C Clamps I use to retract the brake piston in the caliper so the new pads will fit. I was helping my dad change the brakes on his Ford Fusion, and my C Clamps were not big enough, so we bought a large clamp to do his brakes. I was cranking the clamp closed, and his piston was not budging. I figured it must be stuck, so I kept turning. Pretty soon I realize the clamp is bowing. We go online, and the Ford pistols are threaded, and you spin them to retract them. DIY Rule - never assume!
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #55  
We go online, and the Ford pistols are threaded, and you spin them to retract them. DIY Rule - never assume!

Was it s rear disc caliper? Maybe it was the parking (emergency/cable/manual) brake mechanism.
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #56  
broke off a bolt on a starter once, on an F150. drilled a hole in the end, then broke the "easy out" in the hole. Used a C clamp to hold on the starter, and took it to a shop and they fixed it. I didn't ask how.
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #57  
Was it s rear disc caliper? Maybe it was the parking (emergency/cable/manual) brake mechanism.

They sell a special tool to twist the piston to retract it. I used my special tool called needle nose pliers to lock into the two little holes and spin the piston. I think it has to do with the electric emergency brake system the Fusion has.
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #58  
Just last week I was re assembling a dirt bike engine replaced some transmission gears, all bearings new top end, had it about 90% complete just the clutch side to assemble, and to my horror I realize the only way to install the clutch pushrod is to split the cases and start over😂
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #59  
They sell a special tool to twist the piston to retract it. I used my special tool called needle nose pliers to lock into the two little holes and spin the piston. I think it has to do with the electric emergency brake system the Fusion has.

Not sure which Fords have the "Twist" calipers that must be turned in, but have heard about them for a while.

M
 
   / DIY Mechanic Mistakes #60  
Not sure which Fords have the "Twist" calipers that must be turned in, but have heard about them for a while. M

Any disc brake that has a cable parking brake must be turned to re-set the auto adjuster for the parking brake.
 

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