Dracostan Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 (edited) So, being a long time modifier on many cars, and a relatively active user of associated members forums, (and an engineer for my day job) you'd think I'd have some good grounding of the basics of spanner monkey-ing. Today I had planned on fitting these: a spanking set of wheel spacers to make my rims sit 'just right' in the caverns of my arches. I've had them sat on the side for a week, during which I brought together all my tools required - down to a rust scouring pad to clean the hub faces, and acquiring a brand new torque wrench to tighten the nuts properly, rather then the usual f-tight. Finally had a beautiful sunny day to do the work and so set about pulling the first wheel off....... You can probably guess whats coming! First I find my trolley jack is low on oil, so only lifts a couple of millimetres per pump - at best Ok, I think, I'll use the screw jack to lift to the point I can get the trolley under the suspension arm at the right height to remove the wheel, pump the extra couple of mill I need to get an axle stand in next to the trolley and set it down to remove the wheel - only to remember the car doesn't have a screw jack, just a plastic bottle of tyre foam So, I resigned myself to having to use the trolley millimetre by millimetre and laboriously pumped to the height I needed, set the stand and removed the wheel. The hub looked in good nick, so only a quick go over with the rust scourer was needed and I set the spacer in place. Wound the nuts in with my fingers then picked up the wheel wrench to tighten - only to have the socket jump over the nut.... It was then I realised the spacer nuts need a 19 socket, not the 21 socket of the wheel wrench Cursing the poor level of attention I had paid to the spacer nuts while they were sat on my counter for an entire week, I headed inside to rifle through my toolbox to find a 19 socket. On finding my 19 socket, it turned out it is a double-ended, with a 17 on the other end and so requiring a extension bar to fit to the wrench. I popped open my socket set box to find one, but found out I only have a 3/8" extension, rather than the 1/2" needed for the torque wrench. By this time it was to late to pop over to Halfrauds, so I had no choice but to pull the spacer off, replace the wheel and slink back inside with my modders tail between my legs - and, of course, come and confess my most basic of fails to the community. So, in a plea for you, dear reader, to take pity on me, please feel free to post your own stories of most basic failure Draco Edited June 12, 2017 by Dracostan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 well ................. as your name is Draco - you could just use your wand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Commendably honest of you to post up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 ...and fair play for taking it on the chin - I would have been screaming bloody murder at every inanimate object within reach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teejay Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 bet the dog got a kickin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I'll be the first to say it then... Long time modder without a decent socket set. What's wrong with you man?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay84 Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I've done it countless times where haven't prepped properly started it then abandoned it. I have tools but I tend to leave them at work . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dracostan Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 I'll be the first to say it then... Long time modder without a decent socket set. What's wrong with you man?!? I do have a decent set, just not the one piece I needed today - I would ask how many times has that happened to you !!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G1en Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Read my door handle thread. Took me a week to sort out, took me 2 weeks to fit an oil cooler, 3 weeks to sort faulty washer pumps, there are threads on those somewhere as well. Its all part of the fun (and frustration) I love learning to do mechanics myself but every time i start with zero preparation like an idiot. Back to yours above, is there no friends/family that have any tools? If i need anything i can usualy rely on my dad to have it in his antiques roadshow toolbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dracostan Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Read my door handle thread. Took me a week to sort out, took me 2 weeks to fit an oil cooler, 3 weeks to sort faulty washer pumps, there are threads on those somewhere as well. Its all part of the fun (and frustration) I love learning to do mechanics myself but every time i start with zero preparation like an idiot. Back to yours above, is there no friends/family that have any tools? If i need anything i can usualy rely on my dad to have it in his antiques roadshow toolbox Yeah, it's usually the things you think will be a simple job that turn out to be the PITA's! Friends and family are a bit too far away for a quick call for help, though I can bet my Dad will have the extension (why is it dad's always have the really weird and obscure tools?!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G1en Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Probably because back in the day they did a similar job and needed to buy the same tool. Then its been sat there for 20 years rusting away until their son gives them a call one day and pops over to rumage through tbe box/chest and hey presto, it gets a second use and sees the light of day for a second brief time before returning back to the dark oblivion of rusty things always willing and waiting patiently for the call to arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I'll be the first to say it then... Long time modder without a decent socket set. What's wrong with you man?!? I do have a decent set, just not the one piece I needed today - I would ask how many times has that happened to you !!? It used to happen alllll the time until one month I made a list of all the things I tend to struggle with and bought the lot. Decent socket set, every kind of socket connection/extension bar at different drives, stud extractors, drill bits, breaker bars etc etc. It honestly made a massive difference to doing the little jobs. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattross1313 Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 well ................. as your name is Draco - you could just use your wand A Harry Potter joke? You can't be Sirius? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 well ................. as your name is Draco - you could just use your wand A Harry Potter joke? You can't be Sirius? Deathly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G1en Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Weasley attempt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dracostan Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Ok, no need to Snape at each other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I have all the gear and still no idea I still have fails on the third attempt at sorting the front end of the Radical this weekend and had a fail on that (will post up on my build thread soon) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4nn13 Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Omg I was creased reading this! Hope you got it all sorted buddy, I fitted mine (with a mechanic mate & all his kit, plus a crate of budweiser) and they are awesome it'll be worth it in the end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dracostan Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Picked up some hydraulic oil and the correct 19 socket today, so will be having a second go at it this weekend - and speaking of dad's having the right tools for the job, I could even get some quality Dad time/assistance, it being Fathers Day Keyser - just a little bit jealous of the Zed Shed. Not just the fine array of tools, but actually having a garage that's usable as one, rather than the 'shed with a big door' that I currently have ! Edited June 12, 2017 by Dracostan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G1en Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Yep, same here, would love a proper garage, But tell me keyser, has the biggest spanner ever been used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Yep, same here, would love a proper garage, But tell me keyser, has the biggest spanner ever been used? yes - he throws it at Buster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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