Tales Of A Mercenary Mechanic

[monkeyswrench]

Been a really good week! Middle of last week I was hit with a bill I wasn't expecting. Although we have an "emergency fund", I made it a goal to not tap it...dammit, it's for emergencies So, this week, things fell into place. A couple of generous benefactors, some random un-planned things, and I'd hit the number by Thursday. Which was really good, because the wife, oldest son and I had a meeting this afternoon, so no big stuff could be done today.

This morning, neighbor called me up, and asked if I would mount his 3pt rototiller on his tractor, and till some areas for his garden. We'd talked a week or so about it. He's a Vietnam Vet, that was disabled in the 80s as an ironworker...3 years ago his wife passed away. He's 86 now, and has decided he has no business on his tractor. I went over this morning, and we walked the area and I got to it.

When I wasn't looking, he stuck a 100$ bill in my car! Went to the door and tried to give it back. He wouldn't take it, said he doesn't need it anyway, and was really happy he could plant another garden this year.

Fast forward to the end of the meeting. It had been stressful. I turned to my wife "you want Mexican food?" Daughter had picked up other son from school, and wasn't working tonight. Wife called her to bring her brother, and meet us at the restaurant. Been over a month since we all went out...and that was for a birthday.

The 100$ bill is gone...plus a little...but it was the best money I'd spent in forever. Everyone was laughing and joking. Maybe not the most responsible use of money, but I've never been the sharpest on finances.

It was a really good week

 

[Willie B]

Been a really good week! Middle of last week I was hit with a bill I wasn't expecting. Although we have an "emergency fund", I made it a goal to not tap it...dammit, it's for emergencies So, this week, things fell into place. A couple of generous benefactors, some random un-planned things, and I'd hit the number by Thursday. Which was really good, because the wife, oldest son and I had a meeting this afternoon, so no big stuff could be done today.

This morning, neighbor called me up, and asked if I would mount his 3pt rototiller on his tractor, and till some areas for his garden. We'd talked a week or so about it. He's a Vietnam Vet, that was disabled in the 80s as an ironworker...3 years ago his wife passed away. He's 86 now, and has decided he has no business on his tractor. I went over this morning, and we walked the area and I got to it.

When I wasn't looking, he stuck a 100$ bill in my car! Went to the door and tried to give it back. He wouldn't take it, said he doesn't need it anyway, and was really happy he could plant another garden this year.

Fast forward to the end of the meeting. It had been stressful. I turned to my wife "you want Mexican food?" Daughter had picked up other son from school, and wasn't working tonight. Wife called her to bring her brother, and meet us at the restaurant. Been over a month since we all went out...and that was for a birthday.

The 100$ bill is gone...plus a little...but it was the best money I'd spent in forever. Everyone was laughing and joking. Maybe not the most responsible use of money, but I've never been the sharpest on finances.

It was a really good week

… there is no way that was not a Responsible use of money …that money could not have been better spent… That hundred dollar bill… The gentleman knew exactly what he was doing when he gave it to you…… You done good…

 

[4Waters]

… there is no way that was not a Responsible use of money …that money could not have been better spent… That hundred dollar bill… The gentleman knew exactly what he was doing when he gave it to you…… You done good…

^^^this^^^

Sometimes the chef and the dishwasher (those can he any 1 or 5 people in the house) need a break from the normal and enjoy themselves. Good job MW

 

[mash on it]

@monkeyswrench
Olivas' still around?
Was decent some years ago.
Haven't been in forever, since '99 or so.

Dan'l

 

[monkeyswrench]

@monkeyswrench
Olivas' still around?
Was decent some years ago.
Haven't been in forever, since '99 or so.

Dan'l

I've only been there once, about 10 years ago. It was "meh". As I put it, "white people" Mexican food. It has a following though. Still there in the yellow A-frame. I think it's been open since the 60's.

 

[17 10 Flat]

I've only been there once, about 10 years ago. It was "meh". As I put it, "white people" Mexican food. It has a following though. Still there in the yellow A-frame. I think it's been open since the 60's.

LOL....white people Mexican food..... I resemble that.
On New Branufels just out side Ft Sam Houston , TX. Little place (Johnnys) had to try 1969 they had the old style glass sugar containers on the table with green stuff in them .. OMG was it hot !!! I embarrassed myself only gringo in the place all the Mex's were laughing their assess off. Me coughing, gagging sweat pouring off my face and arms.

 

[monkeyswrench]

LOL....white people Mexican food..... I resemble that.
On New Branufels just out side Ft Sam Houston , TX. Little place (Johnnys) had to try 1969 they had the old style glass sugar containers on the table with green stuff in them .. OMG was it hot !!! I embarrassed myself only gringo in the place all the Mex's were laughing their assess off. Me coughing, gagging sweat pouring off my face and arms.

Years ago, 92 maybe, my brother and I had gone to the pick-a-part in Pomona. He needed something, but had no money. I was 14, but had some tools. On the way back home we stopped at Tacos Mexico...he had enough for a couple tacos each. Now, my brother is whiter than mayonnaise, but at the time I looked somewhere between "border brother" and "Achmed". Add to that, I was greasy from being the one that worked. Well, I ordered lengua, he ordered carnitas.

He took one bite and looked like Herman Munster, steam and eyes bugged out
Mine was fine, and offered to trade...he didn't want "tongue tacos".
The really funny thing, no money for drinks! He drank a can of MtDew that had been in the trunk of his Mustang. Hell, it had to be a hundred degrees!

 

[Willie B]

Years ago, 92 maybe, my brother and I had gone to the pick-a-part in Pomona. He needed something, but had no money. I was 14, but had some tools. On the way back home we stopped at Tacos Mexico...he had enough for a couple tacos each. Now, my brother is whiter than mayonnaise, but at the time I looked somewhere between "border brother" and "Achmed". Add to that, I was greasy from being the one that worked. Well, I ordered lengua, he ordered carnitas.

He took one bite and looked like Herman Munster, steam and eyes bugged out
Mine was fine, and offered to trade...he didn't want "tongue tacos".
The really funny thing, no money for drinks! He drank a can of MtDew that had been in the trunk of his Mustang. Hell, it had to be a hundred degrees!

. When I go out with Neighbor girl, she used to find it quite amusing to just let me go ahead and burn my pallet with what I ordered… Lately she has been very good about it tells me don’t order this. Don’t order that.., me being white as they come And her being half Mexican and half El Salvadoran she likes the hot shit… I don’t know how people do it

 

[coolchange]

Years ago, 92 maybe, my brother and I had gone to the pick-a-part in Pomona. He needed something, but had no money. I was 14, but had some tools. On the way back home we stopped at Tacos Mexico...he had enough for a couple tacos each. Now, my brother is whiter than mayonnaise, but at the time I looked somewhere between "border brother" and "Achmed". Add to that, I was greasy from being the one that worked. Well, I ordered lengua, he ordered carnitas.

He took one bite and looked like Herman Munster, steam and eyes bugged out
Mine was fine, and offered to trade...he didn't want "tongue tacos".
The really funny thing, no money for drinks! He drank a can of MtDew that had been in the trunk of his Mustang. Hell, it had to be a hundred degrees!

I don’t like the taste of anything that can taste me back…

 

[monkeyswrench]

I don’t like the taste of anything that can taste me back…

So cabeza you'd be okay with though? It's "brain food"

 

[coolchange]

So cabeza you'd be okay with though? It's "brain food"

I’d have to think about it

 

[Rajobigguy]

I’m Swedish and most Swedes go by the moto “I like food that don’t hurt” and yet I have a whole shelf full of Cholula, Schiracha, Tabasco and Dave’s insanity sauce. I’m not your average white boy.

 

[CarolynandBob]

I’m Swedish and most Swedes go by the moto “I like food that don’t hurt” and yet I have a whole shelf full of Cholula, Schiracha, Tabasco and Dave’s insanity sauce. I’m not your average white boy.

Damn that Dave's Insanity is no joke. I like in small doses. LOL

 

[Rajobigguy]

Damn that Dave's Insanity is no joke. I like in small doses. LOL

Yeah it’s good but you do need to treat it with respect.
I also have some stuff made from Carolina Reaper that is an order of magnitude hotter than Dave’s. The peppers are rumored to be grown in a Guatemalan insane asylum and a couple drops to much will give you visions.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Olivas has survived through covid. Good however like monkey says its become white folks Mexican. If you want authentic Mexican i think the closest would be getting tacos/burritos at carniceria azteca in Prescott Valley.

Kind of like the grocery store and restaurant in 1 or... I almost forgot the casa Perez off of highway 69 near fain road in dewey/east Prescott Valley. Bear the new Maverick station. Which is pretty good eating as well.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Baby treads! "Bolts came out, now something bangs around when moving." Really? Surprising...

It has a big star wheel bolted (well, supposed to be at least) to the hub, which holds the spocket.

sprocket.
Honestly, I think they "power braked" it, and sheared some bolts.
Now, the hub is a keyed taper. They are on tight. Used a big 3 finger puller, a 36" ratchet and a jacket and to center the socket so I could really crank on it. If you do one, stand to the side. I learned with Bobcats they pop off with some force...like a flying sledge hammer.

This is how it all landed...about the time I messed my pants. Like an evil jack in the box. Two bolts broken off in hub. Removed them, and chased all threads. Looked like grade 5 or less. Replaced with grade 8 and loctite.

Other tracks use a slack measurement between bogies and track. This is a ditch witch, and has a cute grease pressure gauge. Pump until in the green, remove gauge and cap fitting.

Same guy..."Dunno what my guys did"
Well, they used a trencher to saw granite. They sheared 3 bolts in the drive, and the others jumped ship. Poor design, 6 3/8ths bolts...no splines.

Everything fell off, chain, sprocket...auger thing. The chain sucks, pinches fingers and weighs a ton. It tensions like tracks do.

Busy day of broken doodad repair.

 

[Taboma]

View attachment 1365498
Baby treads! "Bolts came out, now something bangs around when moving." Really? Surprising...
View attachment 1365499 View attachment 1365500
It has a big star wheel bolted (well, supposed to be at least) to the hub, which holds the spocket. View attachment 1365501 sprocket.
Honestly, I think they "power braked" it, and sheared some bolts.
Now, the hub is a keyed taper. They are on tight. Used a big 3 finger puller, a 36" ratchet and a jacket and to center the socket so I could really crank on it. If you do one, stand to the side. I learned with Bobcats they pop off with some force...like a flying sledge hammer.
View attachment 1365503
This is how it all landed...about the time I messed my pants. Like an evil jack in the box. Two bolts broken off in hub. Removed them, and chased all threads. Looked like grade 5 or less. Replaced with grade 8 and loctite.
View attachment 1365504
Other tracks use a slack measurement between bogies and track. This is a ditch witch, and has a cute grease pressure gauge. Pump until in the green, remove gauge and cap fitting.

Same guy..."Dunno what my guys did"
Well, they used a trencher to saw granite. They sheared 3 bolts in the drive, and the others jumped ship. Poor design, 6 3/8ths bolts...no splines.
View attachment 1365505
Everything fell off, chain, sprocket...auger thing. The chain sucks, pinches fingers and weighs a ton. It tensions like tracks do. View attachment 1365506
Busy day of broken doodad repair.

Many many years ago, before jobsite safety filled encyclopedic volumes, a laborer doing the shovel work behind a Ditch Witch trenching for electrical conduit, jumped in a tad to early to clean out the trench. Ditch Witch hit something solid, kicked back and basically eviscerated this very unfortunate man. Thankfully, somehow, he lived.
Company made new rules after that incident regarding working close to operating equipment.

 

[Rajobigguy]

View attachment 1365498
Baby treads! "Bolts came out, now something bangs around when moving." Really? Surprising...
View attachment 1365499 View attachment 1365500
It has a big star wheel bolted (well, supposed to be at least) to the hub, which holds the spocket. View attachment 1365501 sprocket.
Honestly, I think they "power braked" it, and sheared some bolts.
Now, the hub is a keyed taper. They are on tight. Used a big 3 finger puller, a 36" ratchet and a jacket and to center the socket so I could really crank on it. If you do one, stand to the side. I learned with Bobcats they pop off with some force...like a flying sledge hammer.
View attachment 1365503
This is how it all landed...about the time I messed my pants. Like an evil jack in the box. Two bolts broken off in hub. Removed them, and chased all threads. Looked like grade 5 or less. Replaced with grade 8 and loctite.
View attachment 1365504
Other tracks use a slack measurement between bogies and track. This is a ditch witch, and has a cute grease pressure gauge. Pump until in the green, remove gauge and cap fitting.

Same guy..."Dunno what my guys did"
Well, they used a trencher to saw granite. They sheared 3 bolts in the drive, and the others jumped ship. Poor design, 6 3/8ths bolts...no splines.
View attachment 1365505
Everything fell off, chain, sprocket...auger thing. The chain sucks, pinches fingers and weighs a ton. It tensions like tracks do. View attachment 1365506
Busy day of broken doodad repair.

That Chrysler hub puller you got from me would probably be real handy for that job.

 

[monkeyswrench]

That Chrysler hub puller you got from me would probably be real handy for that job.

The stupid hub pattern was too small with a register in the middle. The angled fingers wouldn't suck in tight enough! Hell, I think I spent more time trying to figure a puller than I did doing everything else

 

[monkeyswrench]

Busy day for a Sunday....and not like it was supposed to be. This started because of something else.

On Friday, a guy called me up, his wife's 2018 Chevy 1500 wouldn't crank. It's raining when I get there, had loaded misc. electrical testing stuff. The guys son is with the truck. First thing I do is pop the fuse cover, and pull the ignition starter relay. Little tiny 4 pin, takes a signal from the ecu, and bumps it up to energize the starter solenoid on the starter. I swap that relay with the trailer running light relay, and it starts right up. I go to my electrical "junk drawer" box, and fish out a new relay and pop it in. The 20 something kid is in shock. (Really a pretty common problem)

Not long after I get home, I get a text from the guy. His son wants me to do his brakes. I think it's an 18 Audi A5. Nice car. Just wanted a pad slap. Cool, I went loaded for just that. Even brought my weird caliper tools for modern, euro type stuff. Hit a minor obstacle...

Not stock...8 piston calipers with 4 individual pads. Not what he had. So, I pulled them out so he could get pics of both pads and calipers, so he could get the right stuff. They are still probably 25%, so he has some time.

Well, then he told me about some electrical issues. On the scanner, pulled a bunch of body codes. The thing has roughly 40 scanable modules Parsed through enough to think it had a power ground issue. Well, the main power feed is run through a main breaker...that someone had installed and used like a kill switch. It has some "odd" connectivity issues. It makes intermittent contact when tapping. He's going to replace that with a fuse type setup, instead of removing completely.

Well, there were a few other guys there, helping the father on his kitchen remodel. All Mexican construction workers. Two had check engine lights, and saw I had a scanner. Both said the trucks run fine, but the lights were on. So, scanned both. One was the standard evap leak. I told him to try a new gas cap, as it was a small leak code, and that's the easiest to check. The other was a 2005 chevy 2500, extended cab 4x4. He just bought it this morning for 3k! Not perfect, but a super good work truck...I'd have scraped up money for it!
He about fell over when I scanned it, an turned to him and asked "the gas gauge doesn't work, does it?

Bad voltage/short in the sending unit...doing a fuel pump and sender in a week or so. He lives in Phoenix, and won't be able to smog it. So, it may be next week when he's back up here helping.

Didn't get too dirty, but made a little money just by having a scanner. Next move will be a bigger scanner pretty soon.

 

[rivrrts429]

View attachment 1365498
Baby treads! "Bolts came out, now something bangs around when moving." Really? Surprising...
View attachment 1365499 View attachment 1365500
It has a big star wheel bolted (well, supposed to be at least) to the hub, which holds the spocket. View attachment 1365501 sprocket.
Honestly, I think they "power braked" it, and sheared some bolts.
Now, the hub is a keyed taper. They are on tight. Used a big 3 finger puller, a 36" ratchet and a jacket and to center the socket so I could really crank on it. If you do one, stand to the side. I learned with Bobcats they pop off with some force...like a flying sledge hammer.
View attachment 1365503
This is how it all landed...about the time I messed my pants. Like an evil jack in the box. Two bolts broken off in hub. Removed them, and chased all threads. Looked like grade 5 or less. Replaced with grade 8 and loctite.
View attachment 1365504
Other tracks use a slack measurement between bogies and track. This is a ditch witch, and has a cute grease pressure gauge. Pump until in the green, remove gauge and cap fitting.

Same guy..."Dunno what my guys did"
Well, they used a trencher to saw granite. They sheared 3 bolts in the drive, and the others jumped ship. Poor design, 6 3/8ths bolts...no splines.
View attachment 1365505
Everything fell off, chain, sprocket...auger thing. The chain sucks, pinches fingers and weighs a ton. It tensions like tracks do. View attachment 1365506
Busy day of broken doodad repair.

I charge almost twice as much to rent a ditch witch as I do an excavator because they’re maintenance nightmares.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I charge almost twice as much to rent a ditch witch as I do an excavator because they’re maintenance nightmares.

As a whole, machines are machines. Some operators can have no issues, no matter the equipment....and others can break an anvil.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Busy monkey...better than slow monkey, so that's good. The sop of necessary evil called up...a few headaches. A 2004 C6500 with issues, like not running. Easy, needs a crank position sensor in the Izusu 6. On order now.

Next was a Rambler American. They did bearings in it, but it still knocks, and now it won't move either

So, look at it and see a bunch of odd things. They put a fuel pump on it. It has a dual action, vac/pump for accessories. They put it on, not paying attention that one outlet is marked "wiper" and the other "intake". Re clocked that part and got the wipers working and vac to intake. Then they mentioned they did a modulator...

About this time I ask if they did a service on the trans. Yes, resealed the pan...
"What fluid did you put in it?"
"ATF"
"What type?"
"Universal"
Synthetic high end stuff won't work with the old frictions. They need to find type F, and hope they can flush it.
Oh, and the knocking...probably the timing gear. The flathead 6 may have a chipped bakelite tooth.

As I was washing up to leave, they asked if I knew how to pop the trunk on a limo. Being half Mexican, sure! No prybars allowed...darn.

It's an 05 or so, so has the emergency pull in the trunk. Yank the upholstery, and hook the handle with a bent welding rod through the back

The earlier models just had a big v brace, and you could squeeze through. That cut area is like that from the factory, and some sort of bcm behind it. There's about a 6x10 hole, plenty of room to fish through.

The latch remote is broken, so the key won't release it, nor the remote solenoid. I stuffed a rag in the latch so they won't accidentally shut it.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Back to the C6500...scanning and figuring out issues on a headache. The truck had 12 engine codes, 4 trans, 11 abs and 3 instrument cluster ones.

What I do, is look at all of them. See which ones "interact" with others. Communication issues are a pain. Which one is the fault though, and which ones are symptoms caused by it.

If the truck or car runs, but poorly, I clear the codes and road test it. Some codes will come right back, before you even start the engine. That is your short list. The communication side told me the crank sensor wasn't there. If it's not there, other crap gets confused, and starts popping codes...but usually after it's been run long enough to need info from the broken part. In this case, the trans codes were stuff out of range, and tcm lost communication. The engine codes were mostly fuel rail, too high or too low. Without the crank sensor the motor doesn't know what fuel it needs because it doesn't have a clear view of rpm compared to throttle angle. Same goes for the transmission.

The abs codes were from the wheel speed sensors not being adjusted. That's a common one, no one sets them right. If it were communication codes with the abs, then I'd have to see what corresponded with them. Not the case though, these codes stayed away for a few miles, and then some came back.

 

[dread Pirate]

Back to the C6500...scanning and figuring out issues on a headache. The truck had 12 engine codes, 4 trans, 11 abs and 3 instrument cluster ones.

What I do, is look at all of them. See which ones "interact" with others. Communication issues are a pain. Which one is the fault though, and which ones are symptoms caused by it.

If the truck or car runs, but poorly, I clear the codes and road test it. Some codes will come right back, before you even start the engine. That is your short list. The communication side told me the crank sensor wasn't there. If it's not there, other crap gets confused, and starts popping codes...but usually after it's been run long enough to need info from the broken part. In this case, the trans codes were stuff out of range, and tcm lost communication. The engine codes were mostly fuel rail, too high or too low. Without the crank sensor the motor doesn't know what fuel it needs because it doesn't have a clear view of rpm compared to throttle angle. Same goes for the transmission.

The abs codes were from the wheel speed sensors not being adjusted. That's a common one, no one sets them right. If it were communication codes with the abs, then I'd have to see what corresponded with them. Not the case though, these codes stayed away for a few miles, and then some came back.

Makes Mini Coopers seem simple.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Makes Mini Coopers seem simple.

I hate modern crap, but it's the way of the world

 

[4Waters]

I hate modern crap, but it's the way of the world

I didn't mind modern shit until around 2010ish, more sensors, more monitors, more creature comforts, less mechanical connections.....=more bullshit.

I loved it when we had cables connecting the knobs to the blend doors, the transmission, the throttle body, the parking brake......

 

[monkeyswrench]

I didn't mind modern shit until around 2010ish, more sensors, more monitors, more creature comforts, less mechanical connections.....=more bullshit.

I loved it when we had cables connecting the knobs to the blend doors, the transmission, the throttle body, the parking brake......

That Audi thing I scanned Sunday...42 modules, all on Canbus system. Stoopid!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Went about 20 minutes down the road, and pulled a toploader out. This is the same car I had rebuilt the trans in and got the clutch sorted...also disc brakes out back. Owner wants a 5speed now. So, it's getting a T5 next week. He wanted this out to check the clutch, and I needed the bell housings side by side to measure. I'll be making a simple standoff for the fork pivot to retain the stock clutch linkage.

 

[Willie B]

Back to the C6500...scanning and figuring out issues on a headache. The truck had 12 engine codes, 4 trans, 11 abs and 3 instrument cluster ones.

What I do, is look at all of them. See which ones "interact" with others. Communication issues are a pain. Which one is the fault though, and which ones are symptoms caused by it.

If the truck or car runs, but poorly, I clear the codes and road test it. Some codes will come right back, before you even start the engine. That is your short list. The communication side told me the crank sensor wasn't there. If it's not there, other crap gets confused, and starts popping codes...but usually after it's been run long enough to need info from the broken part. In this case, the trans codes were stuff out of range, and tcm lost communication. The engine codes were mostly fuel rail, too high or too low. Without the crank sensor the motor doesn't know what fuel it needs because it doesn't have a clear view of rpm compared to throttle angle. Same goes for the transmission.

The abs codes were from the wheel speed sensors not being adjusted. That's a common one, no one sets them right. If it were communication codes with the abs, then I'd have to see what corresponded with them. Not the case though, these codes stayed away for a few miles, and then some came back.

… There is a reason I will be doing a salvage buyback on my 97 Dodge ram four-wheel-drive extra cab Cummins diesel pick up. It doesn’t have all this bullshit …I think

 

[monkeyswrench]

… There is a reason I will be doing a salvage buyback on my 97 Dodge ram four-wheel-drive extra cab Cummins diesel pick up. It doesn’t have all this bullshit …I think

A 97 is one of the last work horses. The two most technology advance things are the ABS module, and the radio. Very good trucks to have.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Saturday...some people are on the water, some are doing yard work or other "honey-dos"...and some of us are just being mercenary.

Delivery van that works during the week. The roll up door was hammered, two panels busted and water damaged. The guy bought the panels, but apparently Utility Trailer only stocks 15" panels...truck has 12's. Either they can be put in, and look goofy, or they can be shortened. With two panels, the the top panel would have to be shortened a 6", and rollers moved to shut at the top right. Soooo...

I used the little saw to cut them down to length. Then used a cheapie table saw to rip 3.5" inches off of them. These are a tongue and groove deal. I don't have a router bit like it, so got real creative.

I used a piece of the cutoff, and set the fence and blade height. Then made a pass on each side.

I stuck a flat bar in the groove, and snapped off that piece on both sides. That gave me a very angular rough in. I then used an angle grinder with an 80 grit flapper wheel, and tapered it. I used one of the end cuts as a guide to check and adjust my shaping. It was very high precision stuff.

These are called "elevator bolts". This is how you bolt the hinges back on. Factory, they are big rivets you have to drill out. The one on the left has been tweaked a little. I taper the shoulder on a grinder. The square shank is to keep them from spinning when tightening the nut. The problem is, it's too tall, and sometimes you can't get a nut started. Cheating them this way allows you to tap them in with a hammer, and get the nut started on the back side.

Like I was never there
He's going to have one of his guys paint the the panels so they all match. At least it no longer looks like a rolling road hazard.

 

[Willie B]

A 97 is one of the last work horses. The two most technology advance things are the ABS module, and the radio. Very good trucks to have.

… The ABS, yeah… I guess a bit of technology there… The radio…errhh… Not so much

 

[monkeyswrench]

****boating content****

Not really, but kind of.

Annual maintenance on a Manitou with twins. Last year another guy at the "shop of necessary evil" did it...I'd done it the previous two. For some reason the owner wanted me to do it this year again. Oil, filters and drives, check the hubs on the trailer too.

 

[RichL]

****boating content****

Not really, but kind of. View attachment 1370440
Annual maintenance on a Manitou with twins. Last year another guy at the "shop of necessary evil" did it...I'd done it the previous two. For some reason the owner wanted me to do it this year again. Oil, filters and drives, check the hubs on the trailer too.

Hmmm. Sounds like a message of sorts to me.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Hmmm. Sounds like a message of sorts to me.

Had me laughing. The guy who did it last year was the shop owner's son, the guy who runs the shop now.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Also, fixed a neighbor's flag pole. The cleat had come loose and tangled the rope and flag. Got the flag freed up, and folded. Then borrowed another neighbor's scissor lift and re-strung the rope and clasps. Got the old timer's flag up and waving again.

You know, normal, everyday stuff

 

[rush1]

Hey Monkey wrench do you know if on a 2001 chevy Tahoe the hvac module works through the body module ? my Tahoe doesn't read the mode door position , I've gone through a couple of used modules from eBay and none of them have worked , only doorman has a remanufactured module because I have the automatic ac front and rear and you cant buy them new from GM so I'm beginning to suspect I might have a bad body module . I've already replaced the mood door actuator and I can make the mode door move using my snap on solus. Any Ideas ?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Hey Monkey wrench do you know if on a 2001 chevy Tahoe the hvac module works through the body module ? my Tahoe doesn't read the mode door position , I've gone through a couple of used modules from eBay and none of them have worked , only doorman has a remanufactured module because I have the automatic ac front and rear and you cant buy them new from GM so I'm beginning to suspect I might have a bad body module . I've already replaced the mood door actuator and I can make the mode door move using my snap on solus. Any Ideas ?

Usually if it's a BCM, you'd have other issues. Could be as stupid as a door switch or finicky window, but something. I'd also think that the connections are good for the system to be controlled from the scanner. That means it has power, and the control side canbus stuff is there. Pretty sure the '01 has the canbus enabled stuff, so you can't just swap in a used HVAC module. It has some magic IP address type thing that has to be coded into the BCM. The Dorman replacements were offered with a "blank", somehow you plugged them in, and it gets the code from the canbus.

The automatic AC stuff can get a little pricey. Even the blower motor is different. Two years ago the controllers were like hens' teeth.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Busy last week. Grateful for it, better busy than slow.

Ended last week trying to square away a bunch of DOT violations on fleet trucks. Friday night most of the trucks were in the yard. This week is ADOT's commercial vehicle "blitz", starting tomorrow.

Previously, the week was full of weirdness. Anything from a 1982 diesel tractor to a 2023 pickup. I've decided technology didn't just pass me by, it laid on the horn, hammered down in overdrive Two of the projects were loaded helper airbag setups. One of them had a wireless controller. Sure, hot rod air setups have this stuff, but this is work truck stuff. 3 adjustable presets, makes sense. You people with toyhaulers for winter and boats for summer, or work trailers and even separate types of boats, really neat.

Now, the 2023, some of you will laugh. I felt freaking Amish. I've been in vehicles with back up cameras and stuff, but my dailies are pretty primitive. This 23 had some sort of magic! I put it in reverse, and the screen on the dash shows some NASA overhead view. Like some drone, or elf, pops out of the roof! It showed the surroundings from above in detail. This dumb redneck was in shock. I may as well have seen an alien. None of you with new cars with this stuff have any excuse for hitting anything

I did a couple warranty inspections, more pictures of broken stuff. The techs have been pretty cool. Learning what codes on what cars are really good tell-tales.

Tonight I'll be doing more DOT things. The necessary evil shop had fallen way behind, and this is their main customer. Every light left, of course, needs a ladder. I don't understand them at all. All the trucks were in the yard this weekend, but the youngster running the show would rather pay me to do it. Oh well, I'll take it.

Tomorrow I'm scheduled to do a timing belt job over in Prescott. Woo-hoo! Fun, fun

 

[monkeyswrench]

So, this was last night's stupidity. Lots of splicing wires and replacing clearance lights. Used a butane pencil torch a lot last night, but didn't burn anything down, that was a plus. Got home a bit before midnight. Luckily had already loaded for today...

About 9am started in on this:

Acura RDX timing belt...stupid. Underneath those black plastic covers is a Gilmer style belt. Beneath that, is a water pump. Unfortunately, everything is in the way.

All the rest of the stuff is really just nuts and bolts. Numerous, but pretty basic. This 19mm monstrosity? This is a bitch. I think this is what Godzilla is doing now in Japan. I think the torque spec is something in the neighborhood of 150ftlb then 90 degrees. I call BS, I think it is 1" impact set to 11!

Every Honda or Acura I've worked on is on tighter than a semi truck lugnut. I have the adapter tool that fits the hex, and use a 1/2" breaker bar to hold the crank. I have a 50", 3/4 drive breaker bar, adapted down to a 1/2"x 19mm impact socket....it usually works. This time I needed a jack handle extension, and both feet

Finished up about 5. No speed records set...not the quickest on these. New plugs and oil change too. Little car hauls ass though. Thinking this is what my daughter should look for. Nice car.

Saw these two on my way out. Nice area.

 

[4Waters]

@monkeyswrench have you been busy?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Ok, not car related. Kind of fabrication related though. About a month ago I went by an estate sale. Sadly, it was at the home of one of my friends...he was killed just over a year ago. He was a landscaper, and had pulled this out of his garage, and used it as a storage rack. He'd welded some pipes out the side, and ran rebar through the holes...used as a pipe rack. I bought it for 15$

My youngest turns 16 Monday. School is ending, and he won't have access to the weight room. So, the other day I got to work. Cutoff wheels and flapper discs, pruned it at smoothed it out to it's original design. Yesterday I picked up 2 36" pieces of 1" bar stock for safety drops. Today I made the bar catches with 1" stubs, 3/8ths bar and some channel. The frame is .095 wall, 1/2" bases and solid bar stock uppers. It's about 8ft tall. This should help him out as he's lifting a fair amount, and he's pretty tall. I wanted him to have escape bars, as I've known some people that got really hurt. This is turning out nicer than what I used in high school.

This has been going on in the back of the property, behind the trailers about 200ft from the house. He has no clue. I will probably build a spreader bar that kicks out the back. It will be a bolt on piece, so it can be used as a free standing cage. I'll do it as a bolt on, so it can be removed and anchored later if need be. Some are free standing with this footprint, but slamming 300+ lbs against them can be really bad. If I run a kicker out about a foot up, and a foot and a half out, it will make it much more stable with heavier weight.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Been another odd week. Monday was my youngest's birthday...Li'l Monkey is 16! Had two warranty inspections first thing in Flagstaff, then went out to eat and came home for cake and ice cream

Also did something called a "pre-warranty" inspection on Tuesday morning. Apparently it's what they do when you buy an extended warranty. Basically like health insurance, verifying there are no pre-existing conditions. Then, took my older son to graduation practice. About two weeks ago he floored mom and I. He said he wanted to walk. He tested out, and graduated in January. This was something he wanted to do. "It may be the only time I do this" he said. I think he both wanted to prove to himself he could, and do it for mom.

He did it! Scared and nervous as all heck, but he did it! Seems such a minor thing to some...but this was a major accomplishment...not the paper, the walking up in the crowd.

Wednesday morning I got up at 0 dark'thirty, and headed out to the hills. Made the mistake of saying I could fix some shingles and do some wrenching. Note to self, before opening mouth, pay close attention to pitch of roof. Climbing a 12/12 these days isn't easy! Did that, then attacked this:

Anyone know the motor? Had to pull injector lines to get to the fuel pump...then use this handy dandy gear popper to remove the gear and get the pump out.

It's a Bosch VE pump...that should narrow guesses down a bunch

Thursday morning I took my older boy to a doctor's appointment, then came home and did yard work. An inmate stopped by, which is a real rarity on the Monkey farm.

Friday, had another inspection in Camp Verde. A 6.7 Ford with a timing cover leak. Kind of cool with this stuff. I get to talk to dealership mechanics on how they do common repairs that look like Holy nightmares. The diesel tech was very talkative about the "non-book" ways of getting things done. On the way back from there, went and tracked down a bearing buddy...a giant one. This was for an 8 lug axle, 2.717 diameter! I'm pretty sure I found the only one in the county. Installed that and was pretty much done for the day.

Sometime this week, forget what day, I sold some stuff. It used to be that the car and hustle money was ways I bought tools and such. Basically flip parts and stuff for profit. There hasn't been any turning of stuff in a while. Well, a guy asked me if I wanted to sell a few things...
Well, no...but I need some things to move forward. I need a scanner that can do heavies and equipment...higher tech stuff on cars too.
So, I sold him a complete set of hot rod brakes,( backing plates, hubs and finned Buick drums) a nice 32 Ford grille shell and insert, and also the back wheels off of my '31. None of it I was using, and won't need for a while. There's also other options as well.

New scanner should be here next week. Not the extreme high end, but should do a fair bit of everything...from Freightliners to Hondas, even some equipment.
Onward!

 

[lenmann]

Big congrats on the elder son’s walk!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Busy afternoon. 68 Mustang top loader to T5 swap, using the factory clutch fork and Z-bar assembly with 5.0 bell housing. Got the pivot spacer measured out and drilled the bell housing to bolt in place. Removed the factory pivot ball deal as well.

The current pilot bushings suck. Apparently the Mustang guys are all upset on threads. The OD is fine, but the ID is a bit tight...like .040! So, had to ream that out to fit and check on pilot before install.

The owner is just going to go ahead and order a cross member to bolt in. I got everything situated to measure for a drive shaft, so he can get his cut down. Probably button it up next week.

 

[monkeyswrench]

So, the other shop called this week. "Have some air brakes, and some tires to do"
My response, "Can probably do it Saturday. You know, I've worked for you off and on for 6 years. Never asked for more money. Now, you only call when it's heavy stuff they don't want to do."

About 30 minutes later, 50% increase on heavies, and "we'll have to talk about light duty".
Guess where I was today?

Ok, for pusher owners, you may do these. Back down the slack adjuster and remove the drum. These needed a big hammer to knock loose from the hub. The way I put them on is pop on the heavy spring on the upper shoe, with it in place. Then, hook the lower shoe to the spring at an angle, and pop it into place. The rear twin springs, I hook into the bottom shoe, then use vice grips to grab the top of the spring. Use a prybar or big screw driver to pull the spring and shoe into position and hook the top shoe.

You have to do it with these pivots in place. The spring kind of blocks them, and this aligns them.

I then spread the cam side, and install the rollers. Heavy parts, but not real hard to do.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Hemi spark plugs. Not 426, or even the baby hemis of the 50s. No, 2010 Dodge Ram. Twin plug heads, and the plugs are NGK "Laser Irridiums"...about 13$ a piece!

Driver side is stupid, booster is in the way. You can do them with the right socket, extension and order of operation. That involves dropping in the socket, then popping the extension on to it, and then the ratchet.

With one of these plug sockets, it will drop in, and then turn...and come out the same. This ratchet helps around things. I bought it for exhaust manifolds, but found I use it on a lot of smog stuff, like 02 sensors and such.

If you have a newer plug socket, with the rubber insert, make sure you use the tightest extension. It sucks to pull out just the extension, and the plug socket stuck on the plug. SnapOn extensions seem to bite the best. If I was doing lots of these, I'd just tack weld a cheap extension to a cheap plug socket.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Hemi spark plugs. Not 426, or even the baby hemis of the 50s. No, 2010 Dodge Ram. Twin plug heads, and the plugs are NGK "Laser Irridiums"...about 13$ a piece! View attachment 1383455
Driver side is stupid, booster is in the way. You can do them with the right socket, extension and order of operation. That involves dropping in the socket, then popping the extension on to it, and then the ratchet.
View attachment 1383456
With one of these plug sockets, it will drop in, and then turn...and come out the same. This ratchet helps around things. I bought it for exhaust manifolds, but found I use it on a lot of smog stuff, like 02 sensors and such.

If you have a newer plug socket, with the rubber insert, make sure you use the tightest extension. It sucks to pull out just the extension, and the plug socket stuck on the plug. SnapOn extensions seem to bite the best. If I was doing lots of these, I'd just tack weld a cheap extension to a cheap plug socket.

I have a craftsman extension that has a locking release button that might come in handy for stuff like this

 

[callbob]

But do you have a 10mm socket huh?