The Ultimate Mobile Mechanic Setup

[bobg03]

That’s a great idea actually

It really is for providing that service.

Many years ago I dated a woman who was a service advisor for a boutique dealership for Benz/BMW and others in RI, there's gotta be tons of high class customers that would like to find an honest guy that will come to them..Best Wishes for a successful career at this.

 

[StahlBenz]

Thank you and yes that dealership you are talking about is backed up three weeks for an oil change because they can’t find technicians. Now is the time to strike

 

[StahlBenz]

Got a hell of a deal on these M18 tools and Forge batteries. Nicely compliment my M12s.

 

[StahlBenz]

Think I’m going to have to replace the Quinn shop shears with Milwaukee ones…the blue is bugging me!

I appreciate you guys all following me on this journey and the support. I’m putting everything I have into this and sometimes I feel exhausted and wonder if I am crazy for doing this whole thing. Luckily I have a very supportive wife and family but it’s nice to have guys who have understanding of the subject backing me up.

 

[StahlBenz]

 

[StahlBenz]

M18 dual bay rapid charger didn’t last a day before the left bay no longer charges…sweet!

 

[Snapped-off]

As for ROI - Euro dealerships in my area are at $275+ an hour and independents are not far behind, in fact one prominent one is at $300 an hour.

And that's how I justify buying tools and equipment.

 

[AJHD]

Got a hell of a deal on these M18 tools and Forge batteries. Nicely compliment my M12s.

What was the deal? I'm still in the market for an M18 impact. I'd like to try the new Forge batteries.

I haven't bought any tools in a few weeks now. This thread is making it difficult to hold back.

 

[StahlBenz]

Three of the tools came with a free XC 5.0 which I returned for $97/each, the Forge 6.0 was on clearance - 2 pack for $249. I bought three 2 packs so after the return it came out to $76/each for six batteries.

Bought a coupon on MassKoupons for $20 and got 18 months 0% financing on all the tools on my HD card.

Maybe it’s not the best deal to some people but I think I made out alright.

And I’m sorry to make you relapse!

 

[StahlBenz]

I don’t know guys I bought some of these toolbox widget plier holders just to try them out and I think I like them more than the Tektons…

 

[Odd-job]

What is your issue with airmatic?

Have a W211 as well! ... E55. Somehow blew the valve block in half with only a few thousand miles, but figure since I am in there I might as well chase the open circuit Y51 (off the top of my head). Last time around I trouble shooted it was a bad basically brand new Arnott airmatic shock. Failed the ohm test at the connector. I suspect I might have gotten a 2nd bad shock as it was slightly out of spec, but am in the process of trying to test continuity from the airmatic module in the passenger footwell just to be sure its not a wiring issue, but can't figure out the correct pins because I am idiot reading the Mercedes wiring diagram.

Ugh you are right should have/could have bought the Bilsteins. Didn't realize Arnott went down the crapper when I replaced most of the suspension components 5 years ago. The rear shocks and passenger front have all been fine.

Some other guy also posted on my socket picture saying that I could fit all the sockets I need on one rail….bizarro world

Where's all the e torx?!?

 

[StahlBenz]

Have a W211 as well! ... E55. Somehow blew the valve block in half with only a few thousand miles, but figure since I am in there I might as well chase the open circuit Y51 (off the top of my head). Last time around I trouble shooted it was a bad basically brand new Arnott airmatic shock. Failed the ohm test at the connector. I suspect I might have gotten a 2nd bad shock as it was slightly out of spec, but am in the process of trying to test continuity from the airmatic module in the passenger footwell just to be sure its not a wiring issue, but can't figure out the correct pins because I am idiot reading the Mercedes wiring diagram.

Ugh you are right should have/could have bought the Bilsteins. Didn't realize Arnott went down the crapper when I replaced most of the suspension components 5 years ago. The rear shocks and passenger front have all been fine.


Where's all the e torx?!?

There is tons of etorx in there! And ouch..good luck. It’s certainly possible you got another bad Arnott as they are complete ****. Just be thankful your rear air springs are fine as replacing them with bilsteins requires dropping the rear subframe.

 

[john.k]

There was a mobile guy around here had a four post hoist in a trailer he towed around.......Unfortunately the city council got onto all the mobile guys ,and seems they are all gone from the street ............most houses now dont even have 6 ft of driveway ,so its street or nothin.

 

[StahlBenz]

There was a mobile guy around here had a four post hoist in a trailer he towed around.......Unfortunately the city council got onto all the mobile guys ,and seems they are all gone from the street ............most houses now dont even have 6 ft of driveway ,so its street or nothin.

Luckily for me I am in suburbia where everyone has a driveway

 

[Kurt4440]

Luckily for me I am in suburbia where everyone has a driveway

Don't you live near Jay Leno's place in Newport?

 

[Dave455]

Haha yeah I realized that myself as well. Obviously it’s supposed to be Stahl as in steel in German - since I do only European and primarily German vehicles.

Sounds like a great plan.

I’m in the U.K. (which is slightly different, but not much) and the single biggest growth area in recent years, has been the independent specialist. BMW, Merc, Porsche, even VW - I’ve got most of ‘em locally now.

A lot of vehicles, but particularly German ones, need a degree of specialist knowledge / tools, but the main dealers are pricing themselves out of the market. Sadly, manufacturer mandated refurbs to premises all have to be paid for by the customer, an increasing number of whom will not!

A mobile independent specialist is an interesting concept. Most folks struggle to find time to deliver a vehicle to a dealer, and don’t want some kiddy collecting / thrashing it either. I think you’ll do great!

 

[StahlBenz]

Don't you live near Jay Leno's place in Newport?

30 minutes

 

[AJHD]

Don't you live near Jay Leno's place in Newport?

I hate rich people, but that's a bad *** house.

 

[Kurt4440]

I hate rich people, but that's a bad *** house.

Why?
How could you hate Jay Leno?

 

[StahlBenz]

Our finish carpenter just met him at the car show in Newport a couple of days ago and he said he was a pretty good guy

 

[AJHD]

@ stahlmotors I noticed much of your tool appear to be Icon. Have you had a chance to use any of it yet? Do you have any favorites or something you dislike? Are the line wrenches Snap On (can't make out the brand)?

 

[StahlBenz]

@ stahlmotors I noticed much of your tool appear to be Icon. Have you had a chance to use any of it yet? Do you have any favorites or something you dislike? Are the line wrenches Snap On (can't make out the brand)?

Yes since the entire venture is quite costly I did not have the luxury of buying the finest USA or German hand tools. On the power tools I did not skimp - as you can see it’s all Milwaukee. Plus HF is 5 minutes from me so I like the idea of being able to quickly warranty something. The flare nut wrenches are Carlisle.

I really like the ICON stuff it seems to be good quality. I really like the 10-19mm fixed ratcheting double box end wrenches and the long flex head ratcheting double box end wrenches (copies of Mountain and many other brands). I didn’t care for the lack of sizes of their offset wrenches so I returned them and got the more comprehensive Capri Tools set.

The ICON flex head ratchets are nice but I much prefer my Tekton flex heads. I prefer the semi-locking flex head and their comfort grips are much more comfortable. Maybe the ICONs will grow on me. I did keep them as their long patterns are a bit longer than the Tektons so it gives me more versatility.

 

[StahlBenz]

Also several of the ICON ratchets came dry from the factory. Some permatex red and they are good to go.

 

[AJHD]

Yes since the entire venture is quite costly I did not have the luxury of buying the finest USA or German hand tools. On the power tools I did not skimp - as you can see it’s all Milwaukee. Plus HF is 5 minutes from me so I like the idea of being able to quickly warranty something. The flare nut wrenches are Carlisle.

I can only imagine what you'll have ******* in the cost of tools when this project is done.

I've been venturing into the Icon line myself, mostly sockets and wrenches so far. I've yet to really get a chance to use it, but all of my initial impressions have been solid. HF also put up a new location near my apartment last year. Convenience is often underrated.

I sold a good amount of my Snap On and I too simply can't afford the luxury of buying it these days. I've been doing my best to avoid Snap On altogether and try to pay off whatever I still owe them.

 

[StahlBenz]

Maintenance cart becoming to take form. My goal is to have this cart equipped to handle any standard maintenance service on any Euro. Oil changes, brake jobs, spark plugs, air/cabin air filters. Included are some lug bolt sockets, torque sticks, brake caliper bolt sockets, spark plug sockets, brake pad spreaders, fender covers, clipboard with printouts of all tools needed for the jobs that particular day, and more. Still have several items to add to this including brake bleeder wrenches to be used with my Mahle FluidPro brake bleeder. Also I think I’m going to buy a 1/2” stubby and keep my 3/8” in the main tool cab because my lug bolt sockets are 1/2” dr.

Anyone have any suggestions how to secure the Milwaukees standing up?

 

[StahlBenz]

I can only imagine what you'll have ******* in the cost of tools when this project is done.

I've been venturing into the Icon line myself, mostly sockets and wrenches so far. I've yet to really get a chance to use it, but all of my initial impressions have been solid. HF also put up a new location near my apartment last year. Convenience is often underrated.

I sold a good amount of my Snap On and I too simply can't afford the luxury of buying it these days. I've been doing my best to avoid Snap On altogether and try to pay off whatever I still owe them.

I would have ran out of money on just half of the wrench drawer if I went Snap-On! I can’t imagine these poor ******* techs buying these tools…

My only Snap-On tool is a punch I found in the van!

 

[CS454]

Big fan of mobile work and Swiss Army Socket Rail ideology, best of luck! Makes me wistful for my old crappy E350 with a 26" top box swung in it.

 

[bobg03]

30 minutes

So 30 minutes from Jay, does that mean closer to Taylor Swift?

In regards to standing up the Milwaukee tools, is it possible to 3D print a replica of a Milwaukee Battery? That way the tool could be set down upright on it. Just a thought.

 

[StahlBenz]

Custom made a clip for my right angle and rotated the clip on the driver. Just waiting on a new clip for the stubby…

 

[StahlBenz]

Must…increase…efficiency

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Maintenance cart becoming to take form. My goal is to have this cart equipped to handle any standard maintenance service on any Euro. Oil changes, brake jobs, spark plugs, air/cabin air filters. Included are some lug bolt sockets, torque sticks, brake caliper bolt sockets, spark plug sockets, brake pad spreaders, fender covers, clipboard with printouts of all tools needed for the jobs that particular day, and more. Still have several items to add to this including brake bleeder wrenches to be used with my Mahle FluidPro brake bleeder. Also I think I’m going to buy a 1/2” stubby and keep my 3/8” in the main tool cab because my lug bolt sockets are 1/2” dr.

Anyone have any suggestions how to secure the Milwaukees standing up?

STS battery boot

STS Auto Design

www.stsautodesign.com

 

[M.Brane]

Awesome organizational skills. Respect.

 

[LXCam]

Just getting in line to follow along.

 

[StahlBenz]

Just getting in line to follow along.

Come one, come all!

 

[john.k]

I hope you got a secure lockup to keep this truck in ,or are you gonna sleep in it?

 

[StahlBenz]

I hope you got a secure lockup to keep this truck in ,or are you gonna sleep in it?

Where I live people still sleep with their doors unlocked. Not to mention there are seven locks on the vehicle, a security system with alarms and cameras, and a lift gate folded up…Snap-On already thought of theft. God forbid something did happen I have it all insured.

 

[Horror Business]

Interesting thread. Best of luck on your endeavor!

What’s happening on the exterior for letting? You doing a re-paint or a wrap or something?

 

[rsanter]

Couple of things

Back in the day I had a friend that had a mobile repair business that he ran out of his pickup. I had a stationary repair shop.
He would bring in the bigger jobs that he could not handle like engine/trans replacement as well as welding repairs.
I would send him out for mobile repairs or roadside assistance.
Plus I would bring him in for AC charging.
The partnership worked well for both of us.

If you don’t do welding, partner with someone. It was amazing how much small weld repair there was out there to do


Also back in the day I worked for an regional airline. They used a former MAC tool truck as an airport service truck. They took the truck out to the planes for evening inspections, and general/quick service and maintence

 

[Hakeem]

Super cool OP! I wish you the best of luck in your new venture.

How do you get under the clients car - jacks & jackstands? One of those quickjack dealies? Mobile mechanic work sounds awesome aside from not having a lift

 

[mike93lx]

Looking great!