A trick with a zip tie saved me an hour on a 6.7 Powerstroke oil cooler job

Was doing the cooler on a 2015 F-250 in the shop, and the lower bolt on the housing was a nightmare to get a socket on. Instead of pulling the fan, I took a long zip tie, looped it around the bolt head, and used it to pull the bolt out just enough to get my fingers on it. Got it out in maybe two minutes instead of fighting with extensions and swivels. Anyone got a better trick for those tight spots behind the radiator?

3 comments

3 Comments

blair3962mo ago

Nice. Zip ties are the ultimate workaround.

lucas_grant831mo ago

Read somewhere a mechanic used zip ties to strap a ratchet to a bolt in a tight engine bay, worked like a charm.

the_shane2mo ago

Genius move right there. I've used a zip tie to hold a fuel line clip open before, but pulling a bolt is next level. For really tight spots, a piece of fuel hose shoved over the bolt head can sometimes give you just enough grip to turn it by hand. That cooler job is no joke.