| Author | Message | ||
| William Garamella (Nh_wanderer)
Registered Member Username: Nh_wanderer Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 24.62.162.30  Rating: N/A |
Hello all, Third knuckle solution. As I suspect most of you know, its not easy to access a LOT of things including hose attachment points. I was reminded of this yesterday when I decided the high-pressure power steering hose needed to be replaced before it gave way while under way. The access point for the upper end of the hose on our 83 FC is from the front below the brake pedal. There is no way to get a straight wrench in there and have leverage. Although I have some decent tools, I don’t have offset wrenches, crowfeet and universal joints that might solve this problem. So off to Sears I go expecting to spend some dough. Fortunately they did not have what I was looking for. I backed off and started thinking about what I was trying to do. I decided it was a plumbing job. I’ve been fixing toilets and sinks in rentals since I was a kid and am all too familiar with basin wrenches. For those of you not familiar, this is essentially an offset pipe wrench with a spring-loaded jaw that works like a ratchet and the jaw can be flipped to loosen or tighten. I knew the one I had at home was too small for this job so off the Home Depot I went. Sure enough, they had a nice larger one made by RIDGID <http://tinyurl.com/or95y2> for about $30. The shaft on this unit is square and this allows one to use a large adjustable wrench for needed torque. Well, the proof is in the pudding. Even though the PO installed a new PS pump just before I bought the coach, the high-pressure hose was not changed and it appears to be original. The fitting at the top was beginning to rust. I sprayed it down with Power Blaster and let sit over night. This morning I took out my trusty RIDGID 1017 put it in place but could not break the nut using its built in rod lever. So I got out the 12” adjustable and set it on the square shaft. Bingo, nut broke loose no problem at all. Needless to say, this basin wrench represents a third knuckle and will be rolling along with us from now on. Bill __________________ Bill and Lisa BILLISA Adventures LLC 1983 Blue BIrd Wanderlodge FC-35 "Casa Billisa" | ||
| Randy Davidson (Rdavidson)
Registered Member Username: Rdavidson Post Number: 19 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 166.203.229.121 Rating: N/A |
Excellent story. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1092 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.157.139  Rating: N/A |
Bill, Thanks for that tip. I never would have thought of that. Now, If I can just remember it! LOL Jack | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 501 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.40.215.214  Rating: N/A |
Good idea! Would have never thought of that! I'm with Jack on this one because I have CRS! | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 333 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221  Rating: N/A |
I have used one of those on more than once to remove a hard to get to exhaust manifold bolt or O2 sensor. Definite dual use tool | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 351 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 99.0.41.3  Rating: N/A |
I forgot what CRS is! UGH! Thanks for the info Bill. I'm going to get a 1017 this week. Then I'll forget where it is when I need it. | ||
| David Guglielmetti (Daveg)
Registered Member Username: Daveg Post Number: 60 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 64.163.110.102  Rating: N/A |
Okay, for those of you who admitted that you CRS, and those of us who choose to remain silent, the next order of business is to put that wrench on your shopping list and next time at your favorite hardware store pick one up. Put it in your tool box where you'll see it and the more you see it the more likely you are to think about using it. And for those who are really tight with a nickel, go ahead and try to get one at HF! Get Rigid! Stay Rigid. Oh, never mind...my mind is wandering. | ||
| Nellie Wilson (Vivianellie)
Registered Member Username: Vivianellie Post Number: 234 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 4.248.53.234  Rating: N/A |
Yup. But what's CRS? What's HF? Acronyms always baffle me... and my imagination usually comes up with something salty. Nellie | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 207 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 208.81.157.90  Rating: N/A |
CRS, can't remember **it. HF, Harbor Freight. |