Workshop Equipment This presentation will explore: Typical Jacks, Stands, Lifts and Cranes Typical Wheel and Tyre Equipment Typical Battery and Test Equipment Other Typical Workshop Tools

Jacks and Stands The floor (trolley) jack is used to raise the front, rear or sides of a vehicle. Raise the vehicle at a manufacturer specified position, otherwise damage could occur. To raise the vehicle, pump the handle and to lower, twist the handle to release the relief valve. Floor (trolley) jack A scissor jack works on mechanical, rather than hydraulic, action. They are often supplied with a vehicle for emergency use, and are not as efficient as the floor jack. Scissor jack Like a floor jack, a bottle jack uses hydraulic action. Bottle jacks are useful when space is limited and are used more for raising components into position, rather than a whole vehicle. Bottle jack

Jacks and Stands Axle stands must by used to support a vehicle when it has been raised by a jack. The stands should be placed in solid/secure positions, otherwise damage may occur. Axle stands Engine stands allow safe and efficient disassembly of an engine. The stand allows the engine to be rotated through 360°, so providing easy access to engine components. Engine stand A transmission jack works by the same principles as the floor jack, but is used instead to safely remove a transmission from a vehicle that is supported on a vehicle lift. (Note: Some transmission jacks have a central column arrangement, rather than the type shown to the right.) Transmission jack

Lifts and Cranes Vehicle lifts (hoists) are used to raise a vehicle into the air, so that the vehicle may be worked on, safely and comfortably from underneath. There are generally two types of lifts, two-post and four-post. Vehicle lift Vehicles should be correctly balanced at specified positions before lifting, otherwise damage may occur, and in worst cases the vehicle may fall from the lift. Engine cranes are used to safely remove and install vehicle engines. They use a hydraulic action and have wheels so that the engine may be moved to any desired place (e.g. to an engine stand). Engine crane

Wheel and Tyre Equipment Wheel balancers are used when a wheel is suspected of vibrating (out of balance). They perform a dynamic test (wheel in motion). Depending upon the test results, weights can be applied to the wheel rim to remove the unwanted vibration. Wheel balancer A tyre changer is used to remove/mount a tyre from/to a wheel rim safely and efficiently. Mechanical leverage, air pressure and soap are used to remove the tyre from the rim. The tyre lever is used to fully remove the tyre as the machine rotates the rim. Mounting a tyre uses a similar process, using soap but not a tyre lever. Tyre changer

Wheel and Tyre Equipment Wheel alignment (tracking) gauges are used to measure the toe in/out of a vehicle’s wheels. They may also be used in conjunction with a caster/camber gauge and radius turning plates in order to check all front-wheel steering angles. Wheel alignment gauges Wheel alignment gauges are used to check the toe of the vehicle’s front or rear wheels. Four- wheel alignment gauges

Battery Equipment Hydrometers are used to measure the specific gravity (s.g.) of a vehicle battery’s electrolyte. This value can then be used to determine the charge that a battery has. Hydrometer Battery capacity (load) testers measure a battery’s current output and performance. This is a much better indicator of the state of battery charge, as it tests the battery under full-load conditions. Battery capacity tester Please be aware that a battery is at its most volatile when in a gaseous state. This may be while recharging, when under constant load, or when faulty. Always follow the correct guidelines and wear the appropriate protective clothing.

Battery Equipment When a battery is discharged, it can be re-charged by using a battery charger. A transformer and rectifier is used to convert the AC outlet voltage to a DC voltage slightly above battery voltage (approx. 14-15 volts). There are two types of charging, slow charging and fast charging. The latter is normally used as a quick fix to get an engine started. Battery charger In situations where a battery is discharged and a battery charger is not available, jump leads may be used to start the engine. The leads are connected between the discharged battery and a known good battery (this should not be performed with the good battery still connected in its vehicle). The good battery then provides the energy required to get the engine started. Jump leads

Pullers and Compressors Pullers are used to remove corroded, seized and tight parts, bearings and bushings, steering wheels and a number of other items. Three leg puller Hub puller There are a number of different types of pullers. Some have specific jobs, (e.g. hub puller, steering wheel puller and battery terminal puller) and others are universal in operation (e.g. two and three leg pullers). Battery terminal puller Steering wheel puller

Typical Pullers and Compressors Compressors are used to safely remove or install vehicle components. Coil spring compressor Similarly to pullers, there are a number of different types of compressors that perform specific jobs, e.g. coil spring compressor, valve spring compressor and piston ring compressor. Valve spring compressor

Welding and Soldering Equipment When materials need to be permanently fixed together, this may sometimes be achieved with the use of welding and soldering equipment. MIG welder Welding tools are used to join metal materials together. This could be when fabricating new parts, or making repairs to existing metalwork. There are several types of welding tools, but the main ones are MIG, Arc, TIG and gas (oxyacetylene, this can also be used as a cutting tool). Soldering iron Soldering tools are typically used when making electrical wiring repairs. Electrical current heats the tip of the iron or gun and the tip is used to heat the wires, then solder is applied to the wires. The solder melts and flows around the wires and when cooled again provides a hard permanent joint. Soldering gun

Workshop Test Equipment Digital multimeters (DMMs) are an essential piece of test equipment that can measure voltage, current and resistance. Some models even allow rpm or temperatures to be measured. Digital multimeter A timing light can be used to check the timing of an engine. It uses a stroboscopic light that causes the timing marks on a rotating engine timing pulley to appear stationary. These marks can then be read next to the marks on the engine block in order to determine the engine timing. Timing light

Typical Workshop Test Equipment A scanner (or scan tool) is used to read diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the vehicle engine control unit (ECU). The scanner can then inform the user of engine/vehicle faults that may be causing incorrect operation of the vehicle. Some scanners can also display live data from the ECU, so that diagnosis of the fault can be made. Scan tool Engine analyzer An engine analyzer can display information about the operation of the engine. It can show spark plug firing traces, engine timing information (using a timing light), exhaust emissions information, etc. Some engine analyzers also include a scan tool and/or a printer.

Miscellaneous Workshop Equipment Bench grinders are used for cleaning, grinding and polishing. There are normally two types of wheels, grinding wheels and wire wheels. Eye protection and grinder shields must always be used. Bench grinder The air conditioning (A/C) recovery unit removes/refills refrigerant from/to the vehicle’s A/C system. Most modern units also incorporate refrigerant recycling facilities. A/C recovery unit A hydraulic press is used to remove and install bearings, gears, pulleys, seals, etc. It operates by hydraulic pressure extending a ram, which pushes on a part that is supported by the table, and the pressure builds until the part moves or is removed. Hydraulic press

Miscellaneous Workshop Equipment Cleaning tanks (sometimes called parts cleaning tanks) are used to remove oil and grease from components. A pump circulates the cleaning fluid from the tank through a filter and spout, then the cleaning fluid returns to the tank via a drain. The flowing cleaning fluid is directed onto the dirty part and the operator cleans the part with a soft brush. Note: Protective gloves, eye wear and a respirator should be worn when cleaning parts in the tank. Parts cleaning tank