Left over parts

Cliff_Johns · Mar 30, 2005

A post in another forum got me wondering. Many folks here take their tractors, and I guess other vehicles like cars and unimogs, completely apart, then slowly put them back together over a sometimes long period of time. This would require that you still know how to put everything back together perhaps months later and not have any parts left over when you finish.

So my question is, what sort of organization or documentation do you use so you can get it all back together and have it still work? Do you separate parts and bin and label them? Take pictures of the machine as it comes apart so you have a reference? Number things so they go back together in the same order they came apart?

I just imagine myself having taken apart some complex piece of machinery, cleaned it, painted it, repaired it, put it back together over a period of months, then sitting there on the concrete floor crying in my Mountain Dew and holding some important looking part and having no idea where it went or what it does.

Cliff

notamustang · Mar 30, 2005

I have never done anything like a mog but after you fix it enough times it becomes 2nd nature. The rule for left over parts is you obviously didnt need em thats why they are extra /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I try to keep things in the same general area drive train, interior, body/fender. The worst are trim screws, thank goodness for silicone.

Glenn9643 · Mar 30, 2005

That would be a problem for me too Cliff. I've never tackled a job just as you describe, but have had problems in the past trying to figure out "what holds this?" or "where does this bolt go?". I've gotten into a habit of replacing the fasteners (bolts, screws) in their original hole after disassembly and try to keep related parts grouped and that's helped me.

EddieWalker · Mar 30, 2005

I don't do enough work on the same vehicle to know what I'm doing. It's always a new adventure.

Since I've had my digital camera, I really like to take a bunch of photos before I get started, then more as I go along.

I label hoses and wires with masking tape and a marker. I label it and/or do a letter to letter matchup.

I save all my coffee cans and will label one can for one part. My last project was on my dozer. I put all the nuts for the pump in one coffee can. I do that with each part, even if it only has a couple of pieces.

Even with all that, I still had to go back to the manuel for some additional information. But that's just me, I'm a scatter brain and must rely on keeping it simple.

Banjo · Mar 30, 2005

I only got a digital camera last summer, but I've used it a few times to record "before" pictures and it sure helps.

Your question is too good a setup to resist adding one of my favorites ...

"The definition of an Engineer is someone who can take something apart, put it back together so it works just as well, and convince you that the parts left over are all in the interests of economy".

The corollary to this is that if you take something apart and put it back together often enough, you'll end up with two of them!

FWIW. A.

DaMadman · Mar 30, 2005

Extra parts get thrown over the left should with eyes closed and a prayer. Kinda like whne you spill salt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TheKid · Mar 30, 2005

If you got left over parts and everything works the way it's supposed to, they weren't left over, they were spares.

Von · Mar 30, 2005

Cliff,
I just throw all those "extra" parts into a box and give it to the new owner when I sell the car or truck!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Really I guess I'm just lucky, if I took it apart I seem to always remember how to put it back together. And after awile if doing the same type of car, I can put them back together without the shop book! There is not a part on an early Porsche 911 that I can't tell you where it goes. After restoring over 50 of them I think I can do it in my sleep!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Von

GuglioLS · Mar 30, 2005

I usually video tape the disassembly than play it backwards in slow mo later. If I still have parts left over then at least I got to see them go back in. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Those left over parts are usually only shipping screws.

Seriously though if you take your time when putting stuff back together you'll usually find where everything goes. Take a break every now and then if you get frustrated. Walk away and do something else to take your mind off it. Then all of a sudden viola - you remember where that thingamabob was and where it went - usually you will have to remove a few things then put in the missing item you just remembered.
Murphy's law is always in FULL EFFECT at all times.

PineRidge · Mar 30, 2005

Guys I don't need any digital pictures, magic markers, or numbered tags as I have a photographic memory. That means that I get it all back together just like it came apart.

Then I sell all the leftover parts at eBay before anyone else here notices them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif