| Still on drills, a hand drill clamped in a vice can be used for a low-tech wire wheel or buffer. Just chuck the appropriate tool in place and go to work.
Working on your diesel is generally an enjoyable time, but it seems that even when we're the most careful and paying close attention to the task at hand, something jumps out and bites us at the exact moment we are vulnerable. Need to change the oil in your mom's Jetta but you only have one oil filter wrench that's too big and you're supposed to pick up a hot date in 30 minutes? Read on. We have a quick-and-easy, down-and-dirty solution to get you out of the jam or generally make the simple task even simpler. What we have compiled are 34 of the coolest garage tech tricks to help get you through even the most mind-numbing of maintenance chores and keep you from stuffing the pockets of your local service center. Following in no particular order...
| 34 Diesel Garage Tips tire Check
Monitor your wheel bearings with ease by jacking up the front of your truck so its wheels are off the ground at least 2 or 3 inches. Grab the tire at the top and try to rock it back and forth. If it does nothing, you are OK. If it wiggles a small amount, you may be able to just re-pack and re-adjust the bearings and roll with it for a little while longer. Should you find the wheel moves a lot, then you are guaranteed to be near failure.
A Few More Tips* Having a truck with electrical gremlins can be a headache. Next one that pops up, check the connections. Wires rarely go bad, but connections do.
* Polishing your expensive billet and chrome wheels takes a soft approach. Fleece material is perfect, but T-shirts, cloth diapers, and terry-cloth towels can actually scratch more.
* Listerine works better than soap for getting the smell of gasoline or other petroleums off your hands. Simply wash your hands with it like it was soap for fresh-smelling skin.
* If you soak rusty parts in straight vinegar, you'll find that after a few days the rust will be very easy to remove due to vinegar's acidic nature. Parts will be clean and paint-free too.
* Vaseline on your battery posts will keep them from corroding and provide a perfect contact.
