What happens when you can't get the improper tools at the right level to access obnoxiously located maintenance locations.


Radiator Petcock with drain pointing toward obstacle and recessed to avoid any useful tool from grasping the petcock flush.

My hand after trying 23 ways to do it. 22 Failed. No room to wear gloves. Need recommendation on mobile low lifts. I have neck issues can't crane from floor. Most things a creeper won't fit. The other work is too high.

 

I hate those drain plugs even on a lift. Pliers then channel locks once it starts to move. It will spin out 1/4” in the first quarter turn. My hands often look like yours.

 

No way to get a short open end wrench on it derf? Maybe a 1/4" crows foot? My hand and arms look like that quite often.

 

NEVER would have thought of a crow's foot wrench... I don't own any but I might just look into that.

Problem is there is a metal lip across the entire bottom about 2 in below that picture and the petcock is recessed a good 3 in so no matter what normal tool you try to use, the handle runs into that metal piece and you cannot grab the petcock flush. Nor can you turn the tool handle up and shove it above the valve because there is just too much crap in the way. My best bet was a 90 deg curved end pliers, but the gripping area was too small. I'll have to find another one of those. Even that I could not get quite flush when I turn the handle it would just run into that metal piece.

I'm done bitching about it. I thank you both for the wisdom.

Does anyone on the forum have one of those scissor lifting portable pneumatic jacks? If I could get the car high enough to sit up or work on my knees, neither being optimal, it'll give me another 10 years with my neck until I wear my knees out. At least I could generate some leverage for stupid **** like this

 

No I have a real hoist. 10,000LB capacity with 13.5’ overhead clearance. I had to have a shop with extra height ceiling built.

 

Indeed. You were quite the proud Papa when it was completed....my brother in law's friend with a lift is getting divorced after twenty some years of marriage. He is moving to Florida. I try not to abuse the privilege of having access to it as the only time I come to the dude's house is to work on my car on his lift. He's a great guy and I like him but the dynamics are such that me just hanging out with him can't really happen.

 

How did you get the photo of it, derf? Maybe the same route if from up top, with a crows foot, universal joint, and a few long extensions on a 3/8" drive ratchet? IDK, but there's got to be a way if the Ford dealerships are actually doing coolant changes. As smart as you are, I'm sure you could fabricate a tool. Maybe a thin piece similar to a flat bar for pulling nails. Cut some notches in it so it will slide over the plastic piece sticking up and then use a pair of vise grips to turn it? I'll bet Ford has a special tool just for that thing. Someone needs a butt kicking for that "better idea".

 

Cannot access from above. There is no room to rotate anything around the valve. I already have a rough design for a new multi-purpose General tool. Now I just have to see if some Jag up has already patented it .

Going to call it a derfrotator

 

For the record I got the damn thing off with one of those double jointed foot and a half long quote unquote needle nose pliers because I could put it at a very shallow angle and still reach the center of the petcock. However it took me about 15 tries pressing and rotating the petcock with my other hand to keep it flush enough for the threads to align an evolved to move back into its thread, which because it has a total rotation of 1.25 turns means the catch of the thread was about 40 degrees. Now it's not any wonder why it popped out. Next time I change it I'm just going to pull it out as it turns and have a humongous bowl to capture the mess.

No wait I'll use my prototype tool

 

Congrats on the removal. How was putting it back in, or have you accomplished that yet? The derfrotator sounds cool.