The day I stopped using an impact on oil pan drain plugs

I used to zip those things off with my impact gun until I cross-threaded a pan on a 2012 Civic and had to helicoil it in the customer's driveway. Anybody else learn a hard lesson about when NOT to use power tools?

4 comments

4 Comments

clairem4713d ago

Did you see that video where a guy snapped off a drain plug flush with the pan on a Subaru? That one stuck with me for a while... I just use a ratchet and put some muscle behind it now, easier to feel when it's about to strip.

henry_martinez13d agoMost Upvoted

Man, did you catch the part where it just snapped clean off? I've watched that clip like three times now. That's the kind of thing that'll stick with any mechanic, honestly. I totally get where you're coming from with the ratchet. I've had too many stubborn plugs where I wish I'd just taken my time with a wrench instead of a breaker bar. Your mileage may vary, but for me, a good 3/8" ratchet and some steady pressure has saved my bacon more than once. Some things just need that gentle touch, you know?

danielmason13d ago

You ever notice how that same principle applies to a whole bunch of stuff, not just cars? I mean, think about it. You see someone force a stuck zipper and the whole thing just jams up, or you try to slam a cabinet door shut instead of just giving it a gentle push. In my experience, that whole 'gentle touch' thing is a lesson life keeps teaching you over and over, whether it's a spark plug or just trying to open a pickle jar. I've stripped out more than my share of bolts by getting impatient and leaning on a breaker bar instead of just taking a breath and feeling it out. It's like the universe rewards you when you just slow down and work with the thing instead of trying to boss it around. Your mileage may vary, but I swear that's a pattern I see everywhere, not just under the hood.

margaret9913d ago

That zipper analogy hit home for me. In my experience, life's got this funny way of teaching you that lesson over and over, whether it's a stuck drawer or trying to get a jar lid off when your hands are wet. Your mileage may vary, but I've found slowing down and working with the thing instead of against it almost always works out better in the long run.