Somewhere I have a pic of all of my 10mm sockets...For an old car dork, I have way too many
Oddly, the only locking extensions I have are 6" and longer. I only ended up with them after flinging wobble sockets across the garage with the 3/8" impact
I use some electrical tape on the joint even with my Snap-On stuff. I don't wanna be hanging over a fender any longer than I have to.
Our cat backhoe still has a code that the mechanics haven't been able to fix if you want to come play with your toy. I seriously don't think our mechanics have gotten training on these, our previous BH's are 25yo JD's with a HUSS system added on to them.In other news, my "new toy" arrived on Friday. A tablet, an interface thing and about 20 plug adapters for non-OBD plugs. Still figuring it out, but used it today on the Dodge for a health report. It scans all the modules that may not trip a light. From there I went and looked at a Freightliner in limp mode. The company that makes the scanner also makes a 12v printer...now I understand why that isn't a bad idea
The circled ones are the ones that immediately returned. The lined items are freezeframe times from when they occurred initially, and what the Def system was doing. It looks like they need a "DEF Header", which is a combo sending unit, quality sensor and heater deal. Lots of problems with these on the web. Next time I'll get pics of scanner in action. It does work on Freightliner stuff, so I'm pretty happy. Now I need to find some equipment to try it on, Bobcats, JD's and CATs.
Hoping for equipment locally
To be honest most came back offHoping for equipment locally
Those HUSS systems were a joke. Anything that required shutting down the diesel equipment, so a diesel burner can clean the filter, sounds pretty counterproductive to me.
Just love your contributions. Some of the things you do I could only dream about having those skills.
Unfortunately, I've gained years of experience fixing broken stuff...mostly because of owning broken stuff, as well as breaking it. Probably not the best way to gain experience, but very effectiveJust love your contributions. Some of the things you do I could only dream about having those skills.
Well done.
Yup been there done that. It's why I stopped being an asshole with cars. F..ing broke shit constantly, as I beat the crap out of them.Unfortunately, I've gained years of experience fixing broken stuff...mostly because of owning broken stuff, as well as breaking it. Probably not the best way to gain experience, but very effective
I'm not well versed in Chevy, but I'm learning
It's been my understanding (now I'm not an automotive engineer) that metal on metal without lubrication or poor lubrication becomes one piece of metal.I'm not well versed in Chevy, but I'm learning
The "Displacement On Demand" or "DOD" optioned Ls motors essentially control the oil flow to the lifters. When the cylinders aren't needed, it cuts off fuel, spark and compression. The lifters themselves have long bodies, maybe twice the length of a small block. They will sieze up though, either in compression or extension. They say it's from lack of maintenance, but the last one I repaired looked like a new motor inside.
Well, the header didn't get delivered yesterday...and I'm currently sitting in Menifee, CA. Cummins seems to have a lock on them. Counter price is right at 1200$. If you get a nice sales guy, you can sometimes get them down to 900. Not great, it's like they give you some lube at least.
So, before brakes, I have to figure out that mess. When you drain or run the DEF tank empty, it needs to bleed the air out. It also goes back to what it was doing, which was dosing and trying to regen. They never put a scan tool on it to bleed it, and didn't check the regen status. So, got that squared away first. Then cleared the inactive codes that kept the last CEL lit.
She said she was sorry for bugging me on the weekend, and appreciates the help.
… Is the Dodge a diesel???…Another day, another 1.50$...due to inflation, what was a dollar is probably more
Worked on one of my favorite trucks today, heck probably my dream truck! 2002 Dodge 2500, 6spd 4x4. View attachment 1386280
Sexy 22 year old that won't cause a divorce! 386k on the clock. Interior was really nice. She's had her bed replaced, paint a less faded blue. She came from the salt mines I think, front fenders rusted out, and frame pitted to hell, but sounds and shifts great...I'm in love
Well, AC didn't work, a couple new hoses, accumulator and a compressor... View attachment 1386281
These Dodges aren't too bad. Follow that green belt down and find the compressor. 4 bolts, no big deal. You do have to remember to have the bottom 2 in the compressor when you put it in position...no way to put them in otherwise. The replacement aluminum lines they sell kind of suck, and need some "help" to fit.
Did this and some F150 radiator hoses today. Pretty productive day.
Yep! My 3500 was a tow beast, and never required much more than fuel. It was also a 6spd. It was a 2wd truck though. With a lot of the stuff I like to do, a 4wd would have been great.
That's the one...I really like how the motors run, but the late model stuff scares me. To me, it's the same as a VVT Failure on a Ford. You spin the wheel and see how expensive it's going to be.
Hope it's not the lipstick....Yesterday pretty much spent the day with an eye patch. Didn't/couldn't do much. Yesterday afternoon it was overcast, so put my BluBlockers on over my glasses, loaded up tools and filled the POS. Headed out at 5:30 this morning, BluBlockers on, driving a Prius...sexy beast on the highway
One of the projects involved changing a broken wheel stud. This is a hub and bearing assembly. On most small cars, they tap right out. Bigger stuff, don't try it, may bend the flange. On those, I use a ball joint press to remove them.
View attachment 1388123
This would be for pulling the axle nut, but flip it for drawing in a stud. The caliper and rotor needed to be removed to feed the stud through. Also means no way to hold it. Using the picklefork, and the rotor pulled, lets it sit where you won't booger threads. I pulled it though using a lugnut and a large nut as a spacer. The lead in on the nut is tapered, but the base flat. It helps it center as you start it in. Grease the threads or anti-sieze them first.
They make bearings to use as spacers. I have one for the semi truck studs. With those I'll use an impact. They are 33mm and meant to be torqued to 300+ftlb. These are tiny, so pulled in with a ratchet. Less chance to screw up what I just did.
Unfortunately, I bought the stud previously, and it was waiting for me. I bought a lugnut and had it in the car. Little chrome acorn, from the same store I bought the stud from, same vehicle given. Luckily, I'd tried the old lugnuts on the new stud before install...I did not try the new lugnut on old studs...
It would appear as though the new acorn is standard fine, 1/2" and not 13mm. F' me! So, not quite done
Me, my Prius and my BluBlockers made it home. Unfortunately, I think my eye wasn't as healed as I thought. Wearing the shades inside, eye burning and leaking again
My sons have taken to calling me Willy Wonka... View attachment 1388128
Smart asses! Wonder where they get it from?
Just the BluBlockers...my hair isn't that pretty eitherHope it's not the lipstick....
I was an hour out, but my wife offered to pick her up. She ended up having the car towed home, and a friend picked her up.
you are good man and so resourceful. I always appreciate you sharingLast week, did ball joints on a Polaris. The handy dandy tool they supply is dependent on using the nut as the stop to yank it out. Pretty neat little tool. The problem in this case, the ball joint was being replaced because those threads were pretty much gone. So, I took a nail that fit the hole for the cotter pin, flat sided the head and cut the length to fit inside the tool. View attachment 1407850
I don't think it's even a press fit, they just get stuck with dirt and oxidation. Once it gets started, it comes right out.
Anyone remember the Toyota Matrix I did the clutch on, and then later the transmission? Brief description: The car was an emergency purchase, she owned a CRV. The CRV had an electric fire...right about covid time. The car was used, but insurance wasn't enough to by much because prices went up. She's in her late 70's, fixed income...used to volunteer in my wife's class.
A couple days ago, she calls me from the grocery store. Car won't start, it's 100 degrees outside and she only has about an hour of oxygen left on her pack
So, the other day I get to figuring it out. Check the signal wire at the starter, no signal. Back track to clutch switch, and ignition switch...they have signal. Toyota runs a starter relay, like most newer cars. Their's is purple, and usually under the hood. Nope, not on a Matrix. It's buried under the dash. Swap that, try it, and a half crank. WTF? At least it's progress...kinda. Now I have signal, starter doesn't want to try again. Pulled the starter, and the solenoid is dead. Only thing I can think of is the coil in the solenoid was drawing too much and killed the relay, as the relay smelled toasty.
Get a starter, and the world is good...kinda. No gauges! She tells me they went out a couple weeks ago. She didn't want to bother me, and she doesn't drive much. Check fuses and such, nope, cluster's dead. Not just illumination, no sweeps...just a couple of idiot lights at startup. Yesterday, between calls, pulled a cluster at the wrecking yard. Last night, went and put it in. I don't have tools to change the mileage, but at least she has a speedo, temp and gas gauges. View attachment 1407853
… Just tell your wife to drive safely on the trip home… Because as you know, there are some real idiots out of the road these days…"Good man"...debatable, depends on who you talk with. "Resourceful"? Probably, kind of had to be. It worked out real good for me during the covid parts shortage. There are certain people that need help, and sometimes I can. If I make a couple bucks, great, but sometimes I'm lucky if I break even. Just the same, there are those that have paid me more than I've asked. Times may change, and they may not be able to pay the same in the future. Nothing will change, if I still have enough gas money to help them, I will. They are the same people that have kept me afloat. Pretty simple logic really, keep going, and keep others going.
This week is an off/weird week for me. Some things have arisen which will probably make it difficult to do any extended traveling soon. So, at the relative last minute, my wife and kids piled into the car, and went to see her family in Cali. They went to the beach today, and my brother in law is taking them out on his Sea Cat tomorrow. They'll head home up 15 Saturday morning, and see her aunt in the high desert, then head 40 home. I had inspections to do, repairs to make, normal stuff. Part of me wanted to go, but part of me knew I shouldn't. Still makes me nervous though, them being there and me here.
Oh well. I have an inspection at 8am, probably looking at a Bronco that needs work in the afternoon. I have 2 battery cells coming for the POS, so will yank the battery and mess with it also. Busy, busy, busy
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Regardless of how to term it you are a good man Kevin. You are the pillar of your family and community. You put many ahead of your needs to be sure that they are protected/secured. In my book that is a good man and keep up the good work and posting. I always enjoy the stories you post."Good man"...debatable, depends on who you talk with. "Resourceful"? Probably, kind of had to be. It worked out real good for me during the covid parts shortage. There are certain people that need help, and sometimes I can. If I make a couple bucks, great, but sometimes I'm lucky if I break even. Just the same, there are those that have paid me more than I've asked. Times may change, and they may not be able to pay the same in the future. Nothing will change, if I still have enough gas money to help them, I will. They are the same people that have kept me afloat. Pretty simple logic really, keep going, and keep others going.
This week is an off/weird week for me. Some things have arisen which will probably make it difficult to do any extended traveling soon. So, at the relative last minute, my wife and kids piled into the car, and went to see her family in Cali. They went to the beach today, and my brother in law is taking them out on his Sea Cat tomorrow. They'll head home up 15 Saturday morning, and see her aunt in the high desert, then head 40 home. I had inspections to do, repairs to make, normal stuff. Part of me wanted to go, but part of me knew I shouldn't. Still makes me nervous though, them being there and me here.
Oh well. I have an inspection at 8am, probably looking at a Bronco that needs work in the afternoon. I have 2 battery cells coming for the POS, so will yank the battery and mess with it also. Busy, busy, busy
… The pic of the Queen Mary is a sight I saw often… used to tie my old live aboard up at a small dock behind the Queen Mary, and we would hoof it up and go drinking on the QueenView attachment 1408633 View attachment 1408634 View attachment 1408635 View attachment 1408636
They went for a putt around the harbor today...since this is a boating site, here are some boat related pics
My day was a bit more mundane. Bronco will be looked at tomorrow, so I messed with the POS battery. Drove it 30 miles, and so far no codes. Seemed to take a bit to start taking a good charge. Told my wife I should try to find a basic gas powered shitbox...at least those I understand. None of this mad scientist BS.
View attachment 1408637
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