What are you working on today?

[D60]

2011 F350 dually:
-rear brake job. First time I've ever done a D80 dually with the adapters that bolt onto the DIH from inside with E18-headed bolts. But nothing too far out there....
-replaced one rear wheel seal. The other wasn't leaking so left it alone. I don't trust any aftermarket seals anymore

2002 Silverado 2500:
-replaced Duralast batts dated 4/19 and 5/19. Why is EVERY 8mm head on the side post cables always rounded?? Afterward the speedo stayed pegged at 100 until I hit ~20mph then it snapped back and started working fine -- phew!

2015 Forester with a whopping 87k mi:
-engine oil change
-replaced clock spring due to inop horn

 

[KE7JFF]

I had a 97 with the 2.2 and 5MT, it was a brilliant car. It came 2nd to Mercedes that year in crashworthiness. This car had a hard life and it held up well.

Be prepared to replace every seal on the front of the engine.

The timing belt on the 2.2 at least was a good diy. Pull the rad fans and you have lots of room

Power steering pump will lose its seals if not already

Mine went airborn daily (interesting road) and the alignment never came out.

KYB shocks were a good uograde

If it doesn’t have a tach, it’s a modular layout and you can press one into place and it should work

Trying to remember. I upgraded mine to 15” outback wheels and something like a 205/60 r15 tire and it handled rock solid that way.

Slight spring spacer in the rear helped deal with loads in the back (tail on mine sagged after a while).

I tried a CAI in mine but while it made more noise, it bogged at big throttle inputs, no gains.

One of the best classic wagon looks you can get IMO.

Most of the gaskets were replaced at 100K it looks like, it has 130K on it. Timing belt per the service notes was replaced last year so I am good for a while.

I can't stand the ride height and the pea shooter class of 14 inch tires. I'm planning on doing the Forester shock upgrade to give it a 2 inch lift and do 205/60/15 all terrains on it.

 

[Creekside]

Had new steer tires put on my dump truck this morning. These are Ironman I-42W in 425/65R22.5. I swap them every year and run the used ones out on my pusher axle. In case anyone is wondering these are well over $600 each before the service call, mount and dismount and balance beads. It’s about a $1400 job all done.

 

[BrianF]

The JD 325 started making weird whining noises the other day in -37. A few days later after warming up, it still made them. It was ready for the 1000 hour service anyway. Fluid did not look bad, darkish but nothing metallic noted coming off the filter or in the bowl. Fresh Hydrau XR put in and after a run in, still making the noise. When the machine is above 1600rpm and quicker boom movements, such as dropping it. There is a noticeably pump whine.

I then got the sled buttoned up. I did a light warm up and varied the throttle for a short ride. Just as I was parking it, it coughed and died. Oh well, I'll let it cool for the night and retorque the head and cylinders in the morning and check compression.

 

[wander2039]

One 5 min simple job turned 30.. and not break the top of the radiator. And started snowing. $50 BMW hose

 

[Kennedy01]

Been working on pressing studs into our modified unit bearings yesterday and today, as well as reorganizing and cleaning up in the shop. Getting close to having it the way I want it.

 

[TnT_M]

Bought a 22lb ribeye roast from Sams Club. Cut up 20 steaks and 2 prime rib roasts. Steaks were about 14oz each and 3.5lbs roasts.

 

[The Critic]

Sister’s 2025 Forester, 12.7K.

Replaced Engine Oil and Filter with Valvoline Advanced Syn 0W-16 and Genuine Subaru Oil Filter
Rotated Tires
Drained and Refilled Front Differential with Amsoil SVG 75W90
Drained and Refilled Rear Differential with Amsoil SVG 75W90
Replaced Cabin Air Filter
Topped off Coolant
Inspected vehicle and inflated all tires including the spare.

 

[Legs4Arms]

 

[D60]

2018 4Runner: changed engine oil.

I continue to be frustrated by Toyota's metal skids that must be unbolted every time, and can anyone explain the weird plastic ducting attached to this steel skid??? Where exactly is it supposedly directing air and for what purpose?

Why do we take the time to furnish a steel skid plate (kudos!) and then attach a plastic rectangle with plastic body push pins (wah wah!!)?????

 

[paulo57509]

Took the LS430 to Lexus of Pleasanton Service Center on Thursday morning because I don't have the means to match a (factory) replacement master key transmitter to the vehicle's security transponder. I also had the oil/filter changed out of convenience.

Standard intake procedure was completed; repair order written, visual and mechanical inspection is performed while I wait in the plush waiting area; complimentary Peet's coffee, snacks, and a comfy sofa that I could have easily taken a nap on.

The service writer comes back and hands me the inspection report and estimate (below) for repairs of what they found (maybe they want me to buy a new car) . I glanced at it briefly, but internally =

Even though I was sent a video of their inspection findings, I need to do a once over myself. Unless it's just age related wear, it's kind of crazy for a low mileage vehicle. Needless to say, I can do this work in my garage, except for the alignment.

• Replace drive belt
• Brake fluid exchange
• Drain/Fill ATF
• Drain/Fill differential
• Drain/Fill cooling system
• Dump fuel system cleaner in tank
• Front struts (boots torn)
• Rear struts (LH leaking - I was wondering why the rear tire appears to have +camber)
• Wheel alignment
• Battery R&R (CCA border line CCA)

I do have to take the car back next week; they weren't able to match the key to the transponder; their current tools aren't communicating with the vehicle. I had a suspicion that they would have difficulties with this. I scheduled to being the car back next week, and they arranged for a loaner in case they need to keep the car. Meantime, I want to see if my old Toyota (Vertronix) scan tool will do the key matching.

 

[Kennedy01]

My buddy got a lot done this week.
07 Yukon cam and lifters finished Monday
13 town and country oil cooler, front CV axles, front brakes
14 town and country oil cooler, thermostat, battery
85 Chevy C10 complete rear brakes
99 Chevy S10 started head gasket replacement

Seriously considering putting some capital into the shop for some upgraded equipment and putting him to work as the mechanic. I've thought about trying to flip some cars this year but I don't want to obligate myself to all the work. Going to talk it over with him tomorrow and see what he thinks. Currently all the work is his own customers

 

[The Critic]

Took the LS430 to Lexus of Pleasanton Service Center on Thursday morning because I don't have the means to match a (factory) replacement master key transmitter to the vehicle's security transponder. I also had the oil/filter changed out of convenience.

Standard intake procedure was completed; repair order written, visual and mechanical inspection is performed while I wait in the plush waiting area; complimentary Peet's coffee, snacks, and a comfy sofa that I could have easily taken a nap on.

The service writer comes back and hands me the inspection report and estimate (below) for repairs of what they found (maybe they want me to buy a new car) . I glanced at it briefly, but internally =

Even though I was sent a video of their inspection findings, I need to do a once over myself. Unless it's just age related wear, it's kind of crazy for a low mileage vehicle. Needless to say, I can do this work in my garage, except for the alignment.

• Replace drive belt
• Brake fluid exchange
• Drain/Fill ATF
• Drain/Fill differential
• Drain/Fill cooling system
• Dump fuel system cleaner in tank
• Front struts (boots torn)
• Rear struts (LH leaking - I was wondering why the rear tire appears to have +camber)
• Wheel alignment
• Battery R&R (CCA border line CCA)

I do have to take the car back next week; they weren't able to match the key to the transponder; their current tools aren't communicating with the vehicle. I had a suspicion that they would have difficulties with this. I scheduled to being the car back next week, and they arranged for a loaner in case they need to keep the car. Meantime, I want to see if my old Toyota (Vertronix) scan tool will do the key matching.
View attachment 322335

Oh, you’re local to me. They’re going to recommend all maintenance that is appropriate for the age and mileage of your vehicle if: 1) the fluid or item condition cannot be easily verified. 2) there is no service history of the item being performed at a Lexus dealership.

Looks to me like you have some deferred maintenance to catch up.

 

[BrianF]

I got the Polaris 550 fan up and running. So as I ended the test run/break in the other day, it bogged down and stalled as I parked. The next day I pulled the plugs and found the issue. Mag side plug was nice and light black, pto side was damp and some debris stuck in the electrode. So she killed a ccylinder and flooded out.

Today I cleared it out, tossed in fresh NGK plugs and after some cranking, got her running. I put several miles on it, varying throttle, speed and it runs pretty darn nice! The only issue is it is above freezing now, the snow is turning to slush and I don't want the melt the thing down.

 

[D60]

Took the LS430 to Lexus of Pleasanton Service Center on Thursday morning because I don't have the means to match a (factory) replacement master key transmitter to the vehicle's security transponder. I also had the oil/filter changed out of convenience.

Standard intake procedure was completed; repair order written, visual and mechanical inspection is performed while I wait in the plush waiting area; complimentary Peet's coffee, snacks, and a comfy sofa that I could have easily taken a nap on.

The service writer comes back and hands me the inspection report and estimate (below) for repairs of what they found (maybe they want me to buy a new car) . I glanced at it briefly, but internally =

Even though I was sent a video of their inspection findings, I need to do a once over myself. Unless it's just age related wear, it's kind of crazy for a low mileage vehicle. Needless to say, I can do this work in my garage, except for the alignment.

• Replace drive belt
• Brake fluid exchange
• Drain/Fill ATF
• Drain/Fill differential
• Drain/Fill cooling system
• Dump fuel system cleaner in tank
• Front struts (boots torn)
• Rear struts (LH leaking - I was wondering why the rear tire appears to have +camber)
• Wheel alignment
• Battery R&R (CCA border line CCA)

I do have to take the car back next week; they weren't able to match the key to the transponder; their current tools aren't communicating with the vehicle. I had a suspicion that they would have difficulties with this. I scheduled to being the car back next week, and they arranged for a loaner in case they need to keep the car. Meantime, I want to see if my old Toyota (Vertronix) scan tool will do the key matching.
View attachment 322335

They wanna replace struts because the bellows are torn? Do these do something more than just kinda deflect light dust on a Lexus? Every strut boot I've seen is kinda more of a suggestion, ie they're far from critical

 

[BrianF]

Did a cool down on the sled, cylinders and head torque checked out. Compression seems good at 100 pto and 105 mag. Nothing great but will monitor as the miles are put on. Plugs look good thus far.

 

[odie]

Bought a 22lb ribeye roast from Sams Club. Cut up 20 steaks and 2 prime rib roasts. Steaks were about 14oz each and 3.5lbs roasts.

View attachment 322261

View attachment 322262

 

[The Critic]

They wanna replace struts because the bellows are torn? Do these do something more than just kinda deflect light dust on a Lexus? Every strut boot I've seen is kinda more of a suggestion, ie they're far from critical

It’s a valid repair recommendation but makes no economical sense to perform.

 

[meep]

Took the LS430 to Lexus of Pleasanton Service Center on Thursday morning because I don't have the means to match a (factory) replacement master key transmitter to the vehicle's security transponder. I also had the oil/filter changed out of convenience.

Standard intake procedure was completed; repair order written, visual and mechanical inspection is performed while I wait in the plush waiting area; complimentary Peet's coffee, snacks, and a comfy sofa that I could have easily taken a nap on.

The service writer comes back and hands me the inspection report and estimate (below) for repairs of what they found (maybe they want me to buy a new car) . I glanced at it briefly, but internally =

Even though I was sent a video of their inspection findings, I need to do a once over myself. Unless it's just age related wear, it's kind of crazy for a low mileage vehicle. Needless to say, I can do this work in my garage, except for the alignment.

• Replace drive belt
• Brake fluid exchange
• Drain/Fill ATF
• Drain/Fill differential
• Drain/Fill cooling system
• Dump fuel system cleaner in tank
• Front struts (boots torn)
• Rear struts (LH leaking - I was wondering why the rear tire appears to have +camber)
• Wheel alignment
• Battery R&R (CCA border line CCA)

I do have to take the car back next week; they weren't able to match the key to the transponder; their current tools aren't communicating with the vehicle. I had a suspicion that they would have difficulties with this. I scheduled to being the car back next week, and they arranged for a loaner in case they need to keep the car. Meantime, I want to see if my old Toyota (Vertronix) scan tool will do the key matching.
View attachment 322335

Your dealer arranges a loaner? My Toyota dealer sends me to the rental counter and wants daily money.

 

[The Critic]

Your dealer arranges a loaner? My Toyota dealer sends me to the rental counter and wants daily money.

The dealer inconvenienced him by requiring a follow up trip, so they’re trying to make it right by setting him up with a loaner. For a small 1-1.5 labor hour service like this, Lexus usually doesn’t give you a courtesy car unless they screw up or they’re trying to make an impression on a new guest.