Mechanic's Stethoscope

[Bolster]

Trying to locate a squeak...those of you who have used Mechanic's Stethoscopes, do they work well? Can you recommend one?

 

[toolmaker1]

I have a cheap pair but honestly it is very hard to nail down a sound with all the background noise. I will be curious to hear if anyone with higher end ones have had better luck.

 

[Case]

they work alright ill have to look at what brand i have.. but i got equally good results with a foot of 1/4-3/8 rubber tubing

 

[bbs lm-r]

Have you tried the ol' screwdriver trick? Even if you do wanna buy an actual pair, can't hurt to try it in the mean time.

 

[csargents1546]

I use a Lisle brand stethescope. Don't get the napa brand ones, they fall apart. I tried two different models of theirs and neither worked good for me.

 

[volvo]

..
If the stethoscope doesn't work for you try magic ears, think i saw some at HF.

 

[Steevo]

I have an old one I got off a tool truck 40 years ago. I always found it to be like toolmaker1 said, susceptible to background noise. When the original surgical tubing wore out and rotted off, I replaced it with some thick-wall, spongy non-reinforced vacuum tubing, and it made a world of difference in reducing how much noise gets picked up through the tubing itself.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a Coors beer tap handle with a 30" steel rod threaded into it. It works ok.

I also have wired and wireless Chassis Ears which work great with driving noises. You clip or stick the mics on with magnets and then have headphones or a speaker with a channel selector. You can use up to 6 mics at a time and switch between them to locate the noise.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have the head piece and tubing of an inexpensive but "real" stethoscope, to which I added some small copper tubing to use as the "wand" it did nothing until I put a wood screw into the tip of the copper tubing. It is very good and if you do some listening around, you soon can discern what is what, right down to individual tappets or the bearing on a distributor or alternator. I've been able to ID which end of the alternator had a bearing problem. I don't need it often, but when I do it has been stellar.

 

[bgott]

I have the head piece and tubing of an inexpensive but "real" stethoscope, to which I added some small copper tubing to use as the "wand" it did nothing until I put a wood screw into the tip of the copper tubing. It is very good and if you do some listening around, you soon can discern what is what, right down to individual tappets or the bearing on a distributor or alternator. I've been able to ID which end of the alternator had a bearing problem. I don't need it often, but when I do it has been stellar.

+2 on the metal tubing. Just watch where you stick it, you could stick the tubing directly on an exhaust or some other pressure leak and blow your eardrums out, or in.

 

[ndoran]

I have a Princess Auto stethoscope that has a 10 inch metal rod sticking out the end. When you place this on the bearing etc it really lets you hear clearly what is going on. I also have the Wireless Chassis Ear and the Engine Ear Lite. All work all have there uses, advantages and disadvantages.

 

[BQuicksilver]

I have one and am not too impressed with it. I have a couple of old cardiology stethoscopes I may have to retrofit with the advice above.

Just a quick tip for the non-medical folk here, the earpieces point forward, not back when you wear a stethoscope.

 

[Outlawmws]

+2 on the metal tubing. Just watch where you stick it, you could stick the tubing directly on an exhaust or some other pressure leak and blow your eardrums out, or in.

No you can't, the copper tube is plugged with the wood screw.

 

[A_Pmech]

Bolster! Where have you been?!?!?!

My "stethescope" is a 24" long metal rod with a rounded knob screwed on one end. To use, I place the knob into my palm and then place my right ear on the back of my right hand while plugging my left ear with my left pinkie.

 

[Outlawmws]

Bolster! Where have you been?!?!?!

My "stethescope" is a 24" long metal rod with a rounded knob screwed on one end. To use, I place the knob into my palm and then place my right ear on the back of my right hand while plugging my left ear with my left pinkie.

I used to use that method with a huge screwdriver. The home brew stethoscope is SO much better...

 

[bgott]

No you can't, the copper tube is plugged with the wood screw.

That's for the guys like me that don't have a wood screw.

 

[Reality Sucks]

i use a mac scope, works great, i use it mostly for tracking down, bad bearings in tensioner pullys and what not. works well for me deff..i would say get one, they all will have different results depending on person and use..

 

[Outlawmws]

That's for the guys like me that don't have a wood screw.

If you are using a tube and not just a metal probe, put a screw into the business end of the tube. My guess is that the vibrations get to the tip of the screw, and uses the tube as a waveguide for the sound, and the difference for me was night and day. I even tried it with a pinched off tube, and it was just unsatisfactory.

I don't remember when the tape landed on there, it may have been due to nearby conductors of one sort or another, or it might have been to seal the end of the tube better... It was a long time ago...

 

[jvitez]

http://www.lasalleuniform.ca/cat10_1.htm

 

[Bolster]

http://www.lasalleuniform.ca/cat10_1.htm

gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay...but all the same I'd like to have one.

@ A-Pmech: How's it hangin? Bolster's writin' hisself a book, keepin him otherwise occu-pied! When published I shall return! With a vengeance.

 

[Drew_flux]

if you can, get one with a metal resonance chamber. it blocks out the background noise alot better than the cheap ones.

 

[Danglerb]

I think I will make the jump directly from whatever piece of hose is handy, to something fancy and bluetooth.

 

[illmatyk]

I have a KD tools stethoscope and it works pretty well for me. Cost me $20 at one of the tool shops here.Only "gripe" I have is the case it comes in. 2nd being that since the rod end separates into 2 pieces, sometimes the threaded plastic that joins them feels as if its going to break. If that does happen I'll figure something out with it tho.

 

[Monte]

 

[poprockcrusher]

I use a long screwdriver .

 

[tjmonsen5]

I use a craftsman stethoscope, it works MUCH better than a long screwdriver. You can hear noises pretty well. I mainly use mine to make sure all fuel injectors are clicking when I have an engine problem. (they tend to stick after being stored for the winter)

 

[Ratchet.]

that looks fantastic, alas i bet its not cheap.. next year maybe

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Stahlwille make one as well, which is very nice.

I have a Blue-Point one, cost about $18. It works just fine for me, i use it often.

 

[Bolster]

Thanks for the help, guys. A $12 Lisle on its way from Amazon.

I think my physician owns one of those Hazets.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Thanks for the help, guys. A $12 Lisle on its way from Amazon.

That's the same as my Blue-Point. It's a very good stethoscope. If i recall correctly, it's made in USA too. It's a really good stethoscope, you won't be disappointed with it.

 

[Plombob]

I've always used a long screwdriver, but that Hazet looks like the bomb!

Good to hear from you, Bolster! You'll have to tell me about that book learning you're scribbling.

 

[Plombob]

I've always used a long screwdriver, but that Hazet looks like the bomb!

Good to hear from you, Bolster! You'll have to tell me about that book learning you're scribbling.

 

[diesel research]

I am looking at a slightly different type of unit currently. Some will blast it just because it uses batteries. That doesn't bother me, I have a AA/AAA battery charger on the side of my work box.

# Quickly pinpoints noise and location of worn bearings and bushings; noisy valves and lifters; broken, worn gear teeth; faulty fuel injectors, wind or air leaks; annoying squeaks and rattles for easy trouble shooting
# Plugging in the conductive clamp, activates noise cancellation feature, allowing user to focus on vibration only
# The unique Mini EngineEAR® allows the user to listen to sounds while vehicle is stationary or while vehicle is under load

One super sensitive clamp-on sensor is included in the kit with a 16ft. lead which can be attached to a spring; torque rod; shocks; body mounts; brakes; dash assembly; door hinges; drive train; rear or front axle; transmission; transfer case; suspension; sway bars; tie rod ends; struts; axle hubs; ring and pinion bearings; mufflers; catalytic converter; 02 sensor; A/T case; oil pump, or even an un-torqued bolt.

Conductive clamp has the added noise cancellation feature of the EngineEAR® Elite when the clamp is plugged into the control unit and runs one AA battery. A handy storage pouch is included along with Ear Bud Earphones.

$40

The screw driver method seems to work best only on certain types of noises like tapping. Not so well for whistling though, which I am often hunting.

 

[Bolster]

That's nifty, Diesel. And cheap! Are you using this now, and if so, what's the verdict?

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

the one from craftsman is still us made and localy avial....... The problem with stethoscopes is that unless you can eliminate all the background noise or severely quiet it its going to be hard to hear when you put it on

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I never had any luck with a stethoscope due to my hearing being damaged by too much gun fire from back in my Army days...

I found that a piece of 5/8" heater hose will do the job of finding those pesky noises just fine

 

[Sancho]

Qualifier, I am biased and do NVH testing for a living in comjunction with several OEMs. I have a large assortment of high end methods and tools at my disposal. The best service tools Ive used are the MTS4100-NVH, does accel and mic measurments. Will even make suggestions on bearig noises or imbalances etc.

For squeaks/rattle/chirps/clunks I like the chassis ear, uses clamps and a amplifier with a headset allowing selective placement. Its similar to the one posted above but has a few channels for comparing different sources or locations.

a chassis dyno or four-post rig works wonders too, but its maybe a bit excessive for the average user

 

[diesel research]

That's nifty, Diesel. And cheap! Are you using this now, and if so, what's the verdict?

No, it is saved in my "cart" for the past 2 months while I continue to research on what features are available at what price range.

The screw drivers and standard scopes are indeed handy, although I am looking to see if I can possibly "step it up a notch" w/o blowing the budget?

 

[jensputzier]

that looks fantastic, alas i bet its not cheap.. next year maybe

Yeah, 90 $ but it makes you feel like Dr. House ;-) Or Dr. Hazet

 

[TheCarbideRat]

ddnt read all posts (DRAP) and good info here. My .02 is 2 include fully cupped earpieces so that that background noises get shut out. I have a mechs steth which i converted to fully cupped by adapting a shooters ear protection headpiece to it. cant post a pic but u get the idea, easy mod.