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Lessons Learned
Tech Article: Lessons Learned
By: Chuck Strong
Originally published in the Z Club of Texas Newsletter
When working on cars, there always seems to be a tool that I don't have or that I could use
to make a job easier. I remember my Dad teaching me a lesson about having the right tools.
I was changing the rear brake shoes on my GTO using my own hands. I was very young, around 14,
and did not have many tools, just a cheap socket set, a hammer, and a few screwdrivers. I had
never replaced brake shoes before. Discs were easy even at that time, but when I took off the
rear brake drum for the first time, I was surprised at how complicated it all looked, with springs,
pins, and all the mechanical stuff. I got it all apart, and I even drew my own diagram of where
everything went and even got it all back together. It took hours fighting the springs with a couple
of screwdrivers to get them all in place and that was just one side. As I was about to do the other
side (after a long break), my Dad hands me this funny shape tool. I had no idea what it was for
until he said, "this is a drum brake tool. I think you might appreciate this about now." Fifteen
minutes later it was all done, and boy was I mad. It did teach me a lesson, one that I will never
forget.
Now, it is hard for me to think of working without air tools. Of course, I am reminded of this
whenever I have to work on my car at a race with just hand tools. There always seems to be some
tool that I want, or need. Many are just too expensive for me, but I will never buy cheap tools.
I leaned a lesson about that years ago also, while changing out a clutch. The clutch was original,
and every bolt seemed to be tightened down with about three times the torque required. As luck
would have it, one of the harder bolts to reach was the tightest. But, I relaxed when I felt
something give. Too bad it was not the bolt. I looked down at my extension, and it was twisted.
I could not even get the socket off, not that it mattered since it was cracked. I was more than a
bit upset, since I always buy good tools, so, off to Sears I go. They had the tools I needed, but
they wanted money. "Why?" I ask. The guy answers, "cause it is not ours." I took a closer look
at this twisted paperweight and it read Husky. Now there is another lesson in this: "Never work
on a car with someone else using their cheap tools and your good tools and not check to see what
is left in your tool box after the other person is gone!"
© 2007 Triad Z Club
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