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Changed my tune on that new Milwaukee M18 ratchet after a tough job

I was sure my old air ratchet was faster, but a buddy loaned me his M18 for a transmission swap on a 2015 F-150 last week. Getting to the top bellhousing bolts in that tight space, the cordless one saved me at least an hour of messing with hoses and the compressor. I'm buying one now. What's your go-to tool for those cramped engine bay jobs?
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4 Comments
logan658
logan65824d ago
A whole transmission swap in a week just means he didn't take any coffee breaks. My record for that job involves a lot more laying on the floor staring at the underside of a truck. The cordless ratchet is a hero, but it doesn't magically make the exhaust bolts less rusty.
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barnes.stella
Wait you did a whole transmission swap on a 2015 F-150 in a week? That's insane. Those things are a pain even with a lift. I'd still be under there cussing at the exhaust crossover. The cordless ratchet making it easier I get, but finishing that job so fast is the real story.
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davidkim
davidkim24d ago
Forget the rusty bolts, the real trick is having a plan before the truck even goes up. Logan658 is right about the staring, but that's where you lose time. I mark every bolt and hose, take pictures with my phone, and lay everything out in order. The cordless ratchet saves your arms, but knowing exactly what comes off next saves your whole week. That exhaust crossover is a nightmare if you just start yanking on it.
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rileygarcia
a whole transmission swap" is the story... stella's right.
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