Rhett Betz

Rhett Betz Specializing in car repair and restoration from maintenance to classic rebuilds, we deliver reliable service and quality workmanship you can trust.

To whoever says “just pull the old hose off” — please come over and demonstrate.This burnt rubber is stuck to the metal ...
06/05/2026

To whoever says “just pull the old hose off” — please come over and demonstrate.

This burnt rubber is stuck to the metal fitting so badly I can’t even get a pick or screwdriver under it. What should’ve been a two-minute job has officially turned into one of those “why did I touch this?” projects.

I’m trying not to damage the fitting, but this hose is holding on like it has unfinished business.

Mechanics, what’s the trick here before I start making bad decisions with a blade and a torch?

To whoever thought brakes were the place to save money — please stay far away from me on the highway.This weekend’s proj...
06/05/2026

To whoever thought brakes were the place to save money — please stay far away from me on the highway.

This weekend’s project was a full brake refresh: genuine BMW front rotors, Brembo rears, Turner brake lines, and Brembo pads all around. No sketchy parts, no “it’ll be fine,” no half-sending it.

People will dump money into wheels, exhaust, tint, and badges, then act shocked when stopping power costs real money.

Rate it honestly — smart upgrade, BMW tax pain, or brake job done the way it should be? 🫡

To the old-school mechanics in here — this is exactly why I don’t throw away mystery tools.I bought a toolbox from a ret...
06/05/2026

To the old-school mechanics in here — this is exactly why I don’t throw away mystery tools.

I bought a toolbox from a retiring mechanic and keep finding stuff I can’t identify. This one has a threaded rod, T-handle, plate, and enough “custom shop-made solution” energy to make me think it solved one very specific problem for 30 years.

I know he worked mostly on small engines and motorcycles, but there were also plumbing and electrical tools mixed in, so now I’m completely lost.

Is this a specialty puller, a homemade clamp, a small engine tool, or just garage archaeology at this point?

To the old-school mechanics — I know this has a real name, and I’m tired of calling it “that weird little 19mm wrench.”I...
06/05/2026

To the old-school mechanics — I know this has a real name, and I’m tired of calling it “that weird little 19mm wrench.”

It looks like a closed-end wrench, but the short heavy handle makes me think it had a very specific purpose. Maybe a stubby box wrench, maybe a slugging wrench, maybe something I’ve never had to use yet.

Either way, it feels like one of those tools you laugh at until it saves you three hours.

What is this type of wrench actually called?

To the brake experts in here — please tell me why my “fairly new” brakes are already squeaking like an old city bus.I pu...
06/05/2026

To the brake experts in here — please tell me why my “fairly new” brakes are already squeaking like an old city bus.

I pulled the wheel and now I’m looking at this rotor wondering if that dark patch is scorching, glazing, pad material, or a sign that something isn’t bedding in right.

People love saying “it’s probably normal,” but squeaky brakes after a fresh setup don’t exactly inspire confidence.

Would you keep driving it, re-bed the pads, clean it up, or start checking for a stuck caliper before it turns into an expensive lesson?

To whoever thinks this old Ridgid cutter is “just a beat-up tool”… congratulations, you clearly don’t know what a good t...
06/04/2026

To whoever thinks this old Ridgid cutter is “just a beat-up tool”… congratulations, you clearly don’t know what a good tool is worth.

This thing has scratches, rust, wear, and years of work written all over it. That doesn’t make it junk — that makes it proven.

So if someone damages it, steals it, or treats it like it’s disposable, I’m not laughing it off. Tools like this are how people make a living.

Would you file a report if someone walked off with one of your trusted tools?

To whoever thinks an old tool like this is “just junk”… congratulations, you clearly don’t work with your hands.This Rid...
06/04/2026

To whoever thinks an old tool like this is “just junk”… congratulations, you clearly don’t work with your hands.

This Ridgid No. 20 has been beat up, scratched, used, dropped, and still probably cuts better than half the brand-new tools people are buying today. Tools like this earn their place in the box.

So no, if someone damages it, steals it, or treats it like a throwaway, I’m not laughing it off.

Good tools cost money, but trusted tools are even harder to replace.

Would you be mad if someone messed with a tool you’ve had for years?

To whoever designed these Mustang brake pads with the weird pin on the front… I’d like to file a police report against m...
06/04/2026

To whoever designed these Mustang brake pads with the weird pin on the front… I’d like to file a police report against my own patience.

I’ve changed brake pads plenty of times, usually 30 minutes max, but these have me questioning everything. The pin is stopping the pad from sitting all the way in, and now a simple brake job has turned into me staring at it like I’m defusing a bomb.

This is exactly how “easy maintenance” turns into scraped knuckles, wasted time, and a garage floor full of regret.

Mustang people — is this actually how it’s supposed to sit, or am I about to damage something expensive?

To whoever said “brakes can wait until they get really loud”… I’d like to file a police report against that advice.Brake...
06/04/2026

To whoever said “brakes can wait until they get really loud”… I’d like to file a police report against that advice.

Brakes started squeaking last week on my 2018 Chevy Malibu, and now I’m looking at these pads and rotors wondering how close I was to turning a simple brake job into a full repair bill disaster.

76K miles, and I’m guessing these are probably the original pads and rotors, which means they’ve definitely earned retirement.

I was planning to change them next weekend, but now I’m second-guessing if that’s too long to wait.

Would you drive this another week, or park it until the brakes are done?

To whoever said “it’s just a little crack, leave it alone”… I’d like to file a police report against that advice.This is...
06/04/2026

To whoever said “it’s just a little crack, leave it alone”… I’d like to file a police report against that advice.

This is on a 2019 Ford Ranger, right next to the brake/steering area, and I’m not exactly thrilled about seeing cracked rubber this close to parts that keep the truck under control.

Maybe it’s “fine for now,” maybe it isn’t — but that’s exactly the kind of thinking that turns a small repair into a tow truck, a bigger bill, or worse.

I’m not trying to gamble with suspension parts.

Would you replace this immediately, or keep driving and watch it?

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New York, NY
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