Episode 16

full
Published on:

8th Sep 2022

Ten Funky Must-Have Tools For Your Next DIY Car Repair Project

00:00 - Intro - Ten Funky Must-Have Tools for Your Next DIY Project

If you do any of your own maintenance, I assume you already have a decent set of common tools. But in this episode I am going to tell you about some of the more off-beat and funky tools that I have purchased over time that I just can't live without in my garage.

Also, unless I mention a specific tool/brand, the links are simply provided to give you an example of the tool I'm talking about, not necessarily a recommendation to buy that particular brand or from that particular online retailer. If you find a decent one that is better/cheaper elsewhere, then buy it!

03:07 - Tool #1 - Height Adjustable Pneumatic Roller Seat

Not really a tool, but a height adjustable pneumatic roller seat definitely makes your garage projects easier. The one I own has a handy tray in the bottom to hold actual tools... or a beer. This is definitely my favorite "tool", and cheap too. You can pick these up for less than $30 from Harbor Freight with a coupon.

Harbor Freight Pneumatic Roller Seat

https://bit.ly/3CbdIbi

04:38 - Tool #2 - Headlamp for Hands-Free Light

This seems like a no-brainer, but I'm always amused when my mechanic friends use a hand held flashlight to light up their work area when doing a two-handed job. To get around that, here are several hands-free lighting options I use that provide a decent amount of light for my automotive projects, including magnetic lights or free standing flat-panel LEDs, but these tend to be less than perfect due to the indirect lighting that casts annoying shadows. The best option by far that I have found is an LED head lamp that can direct light exactly where I need it. My current favorite is the Spot 350 from Black Diamond. I like its combination of quality, performance and price. Aziz! LIGHT!!

Spot 350 Headlamp

https://bit.ly/3IRq6jM

The 5th Element Opening Scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBc-7pEtxgo

06:55 - Tool #3 - Trim And Upholstery Tool Set

Perfect for safely removing those plastic push pin connectors used to secure carpet, plastic interior panels, felt-liners in trunks, door panels, plastic panels in the engine compartment, wheel well liners and more. Available in metal or plastic versions, these tools are designed to remove fasteners without damaging surrounding painted or plastic surfaces.

Trim and Upholstery Tool Set Example

https://amzn.to/3MeDu3h

08:00 - Tool #4 - 7-Piece Pick And Hook Set

Great for getting stuck things unstuck. I use the different tools in this set all the time, but one of the most common and effective uses I have found for the pick and hook set is removing old coolant hoses. Corrosion tends to build up where the hose connects to metal parts, so these pics come in handy to help you get in between the rubber and the metal or plastic flange the hose is attached to. There are many other potential uses for these tools as well, so definitely worth having a set.

7-Piece Pick and Hook Set Example

https://bit.ly/3eerqCn

10:07 - Tool #5 - 24-Inch Flexible Cable Hose Clamp Pliers

This is another tool that helps when removing coolant hoses, but instead of removing the hose, these pliers are designed to remove the factory spring clamps that hold the hose in place. These really come in handy when working in tight, confined spaces under the hood.

24-inch Flexible Cable Hose Clamp Pliers Example

https://thd.co/3RMimmb

11:55 - Tool #6 - Magnetic Pickup Tool + 24-Inch 2-In-1 Pickup Tool

Everybody drops parts and tools down into the engine bay or under their car when they least expect it. And these two tools are perfect for picking up various metal parts (with the telescoping magnet tool) or non-magnetic items (with the 2-in-1 pickup tool). Get one or both of these tools before you drop something important where you can't reach it.

Telescoping Magnetic Pick Up Tool Example

https://bit.ly/3Cibd7h

24" 2-in-1 Pickup Tool Example

https://bit.ly/3rDEB2K

13:30 - Tool #7 - Mechanic's Stethoscope

The mechanic's stethoscope helps you diagnose vehicle problems with your ears by pinpointing where odd sounds are coming from in your engine or engine compartment.

Mechanic's Stethoscope Example

https://bit.ly/3ypyZgA

15:48 - Tool #8 - Crows Feet Extension Set

Crows Feet Wrenches are compact open-end wrench heads that connect to a ratchet, allowing it to fit into tight spaces where a larger socket and ratchet handle can't reach. Get a full set of Crow's Feet extensions in common sizes (in metric or SAE) for your vehicle to give yourself a wide range of wrench heads in various sizes to fit nuts and bolts in hard to reach areas, allowing you can tighten or loosen them with ease.

Flare Nut Crows Foot Set Example

https://napaau.to/3T4N8HL

17:12 - Tool #9 - Extraction And Fill Pump

I use my extraction and fill pump for all types of jobs, including removing transmission and differential fluid, as well as old hydraulic fluid from the brake or clutch master cylinder. Many online retailers sell these, so shop around and be sure to pick up extra gaskets.

Extraction and Fill Pump Example

https://bit.ly/3rKGdaY

20:58 - Tool #10 - Spill Free Funnel

If you don't properly bleed your vehicle's cooling system after a coolant change, you can end up with drivability issues due to air bubbles trapped in the system. A spill free funnel can help fix those issues. It's the perfect tool for changing coolant and helping you bleed the air from the heating/cooling system in your car.

Lisle Splll Free Funnel Example

https://amzn.to/3SKrx7Z

22:47 - Bonus Item #1 - Cordless Impact Wrench

These are expensive, so it shouldn't be one of the first tools you buy. However, if you work on different vehicles and find yourself struggling often with hard to reach fasteners that are rusted in place, a quality cordless impact wrench can save you valuable time.

Don't have the funds for an expensive cordless impact wrench? The time tested cheap option is a 1" diameter steel pipe that's three or four feet long (pick one up at the local hardware store). You can slip that over the end of a breaker bar, and assuming you have the space, you can use that long arm as a lever to break loose frozen nuts and bolts. But again, if you are space-challenged, a cordless impact wrench will do the trick.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2-inch Cordless Impact Wrench Example

https://amzn.to/3CjsTPT

24:38 - Bonus Item #2 - QuickJack Lift

I used to think this was just an expensive luxury until I bought one. Boy, was I a dummy! This tool is great (but still expensive), so it's not going to be one of the first tools you buy. You also need the space to use it and store it when you're finished, so consider that before purchase. However, if you spend a lot of time working under a vehicle on more serious projects, you will enjoy the advantages and safety this lift provides.

QuickJack Lift Example

https://www.quickjack.com/car-lifts/5000tlx/

28:10 - Bonus Item #3 - Low-Profile Creeper

This is another one of those tools I use all the time when working under a vehicle. After spending years sliding on my back, getting greasy and basically being cold and uncomfortable working under my vehicles, I now won't work underneath a car without one of these. Yes, I'm a big baby... but a happy baby. Oh, and here's a shout out to fellow X-Files fans... a low profile creeper is also the perfect way to channel your inner Mrs. Peacock!

Low-Profile Creeper Example

https://bit.ly/3CIn9Au

A Look Back at "Home" - The Most Disturbing X-Files Episode

https://nyti.ms/3EsoEEb

30:20 - CLOSE

Hopefully you found this list of 10 Funky tools + bonus items helpful. Even if you find that only one or two of these tools will save you time and effort, then I will consider this episode a win.

Good luck with your next DIY car repair project!

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Better Than New

About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

Profile picture for Gary Crenshaw

Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!