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I've never used a torque adapter but they seem like they would come in handy in some situations. Here's a good thread on Garage Journal: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/digital-torque-adapter-recommendations.506674/ The Quinn is mentioned. I've bought from HF in the past. I have...

Unfortunately, that seems to be fairly common. I had that happen years ago on my '85 Toyota truck, except in that case it was the studs that were stripped. Just a guess -- while it wasn't the case with my truck, maybe the mfrs often make the nuts a bit softer than the studs, since it's much...

I've learned not to trust my memory, so I searched for, "Does it matter which 2% rebate visa card I use at Costco?" This was the result: "Yes, it matters. While several cards offer 2% back, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is superior for in-warehouse purchases because it offers 2% back...

I like 4-way lug wrenches. We have them in our cars. I had a '70 Duster with directional lug nuts. It's probably fine to tighten by hand, esp for people who have worked on vehicles enough to have a good idea what (say) 100 lb-ft feels like. You obviously fit that description, but many...

I say shiny beads are the way to go! :cool: The main drawback of credit cards is that they make it easy for people to spend more than they can afford. Similar to setting a tray with a pile of cocaine on the dining room table at a rehab center. As long as they are paid off every month, credit...

OK, now I'm curious...:cool: Do you mean you found the lug nuts overtorqued, broke them loose, and re-tightened them by feel (calibrated wrist)? You wouldn't be the first one to do that. Actually, almost no one has a torque wrench handy when changing a flat on the side of the road. Still...

Smart move! Before our 'incident' with Costco Citi Visa, I thought it was on autopay, because almost everything else is. My wife does a good job with the bills but I learned that while she had essentially all regular bills paid automatically from the the Citi Visa, she paid the card manually...

After being members for >20 years and always paying our Costco Citi Visa balance in full every month, my wife accidentally transposed 2 digits and under paid an $1,870 bill by $3(!). Citi Bank said, "GOTCHA!" and charged us 5,000% interest! 5,000% was the actual amount when the interest...

:cool: Glen mentioned having card(s) on file. That is a bit more risky than using them for isolated purchases (if that's what you do). Still, there really is essentially zero risk with credit cards. The maximum liability for unauthorized charges is $50 -- and that is almost never charged...

Now I'm wondering whether the screws for the lower front bumper trim > skid/bash plate on our BS Badlands are Torx Plus. I just finished changing the oil, which involves removing the skid plate. That requires removing the 4 screws that hold the plastic trim to the skid plate. They are Torx...

Possibly it's just a happy coincidence that a T50 also works -- like how some standard and metric sockets are almost exactly the same size?

Of course everyone should have this set: :cool: EDIT: For anyone who's curious, that is a "30pcs alternator freewheel pulley removal set." I just grabbed it as an example of 'special tools' that very few of us need.

Problem (for tool mfrs): Tools last a long time, often decades, and many have a lifetime warranty. Solution: Create new tools and hardware. Cha-ching! :cool:

I've heard that some mfrs are doing away with the dipstick and relying solely on an oil level monitor (OLM). Our 2009 Sprinter has both, but I consider the OLM a backup. With the new "subscription" model for options, I wouldn't be surprised if the OLM was included in a "package", along with a...

Mfrs: "Sure, you have a 'right to repair', and we have the right to build vehicles that require absurdly overpriced "special tools"..." The MB Sprinter van (and maybe several others) are sold with the trans dipstick tube sealed with a security cap (must break to remove). Want to check the ATF...

Absolutely. We have debit cards but never use them for that reason. That said, I read recently that debit cards are not as risky as we've been led to believe. I can't recall the details, but there is a delay (maybe 3 business days) before funds are removed from the customer's checking...

Thanks for the tip! Just ordered! They have excellent ratings and the price is right. :cool:

Quick side note: Of course it's smart to be concerned about credit card fraud, but keep in mind that the card holder is never held liable for any unauthorized use. Worst case, if the customer is grossly irresponsible, the bank can charge them $50. That's it. Again, I'm not saying people...

Blackstone is the only lab I've used. Their data is more thorough (this happens to be for a Cessna). The universal averages are helpful:

Typically, an oil analysis (or blood test for that matter) shows the acceptable range along with the measured level. It's encouraging that most levels in the test above have a green check mark, but it's helpful to know the range. Maybe that was given but cropped out of the image?