What are you working on today?

[The Critic]

I was able to put a few more hours into the Prius tonight. Got the timing cover, chain and camshaft housing removed. Most of the RTV removal is done, but I still need to clean the block and the holes. Then I need to take the timing cover to the parts washer to remove all of the debris.

 

[The Critic]

Took the timing cover for a bath in the parts washer.

Cleaned the cylinder head, applied fipg and reinstalled the camshaft housing.

 

[Motu]

Fitted some tyres today - tomorrow they will look like the ones I took off.

 

[michaelluscher]

Took my DD Camry for an alignment, still haven't been able to get the subframe welded, but now I'll no longer be pointed in the ditch, I have no idea how I've been driving it two weeks like this, it was all over the shop

I bought camber bolts to install myself one day, although it doesn't seem like they'd help much

I had an argument with the shop, they wanted $40 extra for a steering angle reset, except my Camry doesn't have VSC

It was an option on Gen 5 Camry's, you'd know it by the bulb check and the presence of a VSC off button on the lower dash

I've had this car sideways enough to know it's not present

I also had my Toyota parts man run the VIN for extra assurance

They claim the Hunter alignment machine had them do a reset procedure

...I wonder if the Hunter machine puts you through the zero point reset motions if it suspects the car has stability control

And they trust the machine more than the customer (don't really blame them)

They're using what the alignment rack is doing to justify an extra charge, I'm not sure that's the proper way to be running things

But it left a bad taste in my mouth, they've been my go to favorite shop for 8 years or so, I might have to cruise over to the location that the owner runs day to day and have a word with him

They took the charge off, $110 alignment plus $30 or so to balance the front wheels, $150 OTD

I appreciate they were able to get me in short notice before the big snow we're expecting, but I'm kinda down about the whole thing

When I had the Milan in, they charged be $20 something in tire disposal and valve stem fees

...except I brought new TPMS sensors they installed on the new rims, and I took the old wheels/tires home to sell on CL

They've always done good work for me, but they're starting to lose the plot

 

[meep]

Waiting for the ups truck. I have a fun project of mounting a couple of fogs in the lower grill of the Lexus, hopefully tomorrow? Nobody seems to see the car at night and it’s incredible how many brakes-to-the-floor episodes Ive had with it, about 1-2 a week after dark. i don’t have any issues in the truck so it’s like for some reason between black paint and small headlamps it just blends in? Amber units will be installed, and I’m thinking close together “Eleanor style” to give some kind of perspective. It’s almost silly, installing lights to be seen.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I rotated the tires on dads 2004 Camry. Hadn’t been done yet since we bought the tires in 2018 so I figured I’d better get to it. We get free rotates at Sam’s but last time they stripped two wheel studs which I ended up snapping off to do the brakes two years ago and they said oh we can’t touch it with broken studs and I’m like you are the ones who stripped them not me. Still would not touch it. I cleaned off the copper anti seize from the studs and replaced with silver as copper is too expensive to use too much of haha but I do have it. I also applied a boat load to the hub to wheel surface as they were so seized on I had to pry and wack on them with a dead blow to get them off. Done a front to back rotation as I believe you should not change direction of the tires. That’s what we do at work and what we did in school so I like to keep my ways the same. It’s totally fine though however you rotate them this way just makes me feel like I’m doing it right.

 

[The Critic]

Done a front to back rotation as I believe you should not change direction of the tires. That’s what we do at work and what we did in school so I like to keep my ways the same. It’s totally fine though however you rotate them this way just makes me feel like I’m doing it right.

Those are not good reasons, but sure.

 

[Kennedy01]

Today I replaced an ignition coil on a 2003 Ford F150, and changed the oil. The 1991 Silverado came back for it's first oil change and general inspection. Everything looks good. Tomorrow I've got a 1997 Silverado to replace a steering box on.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Those are not good reasons, but sure.

Just a preference. I’ve heard about wear issues by switching directions. But everyone says something different so not sure what to go by.

 

[The Critic]

Just a preference. I’ve heard about wear issues by switching directions. But everyone says something different so not sure what to go by.

Well, start listening to people with credibility....such as owners manuals instead of "instructors" or "techs who have always done it this way."

 

[suburbandoom]

Gathering a few materials to make extensions for my Rhino Ramps. A few of my rides at home are too low and I've grown tired of messing with floor jacks all the time.

Just replaced a few small underbody pieces on my VW CC that fell victim to a combo of age and a recent commute down unplowed roads after a winter storm.

The MK6 Jetta is getting new plugs and coils this weekend.

 

[nomas]

My pull down attic stairs cracked on one side near the bottom . To buy some time I went to the hardware store and got some mend plates to repair the crack . At least now it's usable until I can get it replaced .

 

[53' Stude]

Well, start listening to people with credibility....such as owners manuals instead of "instructors" or "techs who have always done it this way."

I was gonna say it but ya beat me to it. AutoMechanic better stop listening to instructors. He better start doing and learning

 

[skyactiv]

Driver lost his/her brakes, I’m thinking the foot valve failed, am about to take the driver a replacement semi as he/she has a hot load while I wait on the tow truck.

 

[Kennedy01]

Got the steering box job done, then had a 2007 Hyundai Sonata dropped off for a front end noise. Found the upper control arm bushings are bad. I've got it torn down, waiting on a set of upper control arm assemblies to get it all squared away. I'll have it done tomorrow morning.

 

[meep]

It’s strangely warm out, and I realized this weekend the f150 was about to pop the OLM, and I usually change it sooner. Simple OC outside in the warm air tonight (55? 60F?) with one loose elastic headlamp and a small battery worklight. Didn’t drive the truck today, so all the oil was in the pan. No rush, took my time.

incidentally, if looks and smell mean anything, I think it’s done with its earlier trait of oil dilution, which seemed to be a minor thing for the first 24k or so. The stuff that came out was thick, and rather devoid of smells. Certainly no fuel smell to it, and strangely less pungent in general. It was also rather nasty and in the light of the led headlamp, had a thick, brown, “surface” look to it, like it was loaded up with crap. Could have just been an effect from night work.

since using 10-30 syn instead of the recommended 5-30, it usually doesn’t sound or feel different with fresh oil. It always did with 5-30, at least when it was newer. I figure that’s a good sign I’m not driving past the healthy viscosity for the chain-train.

beautiful night out, and only two drops splashed past the drip pan and cardboard from ford‘s wide mouth drain. A good night.

 

[Kennedy01]

Got the sonota finished up this morning, while a 1998 Dodge Ram can was being dropped off with a no start condition. Confirmed a bad crank sensor, will get that changed and I'll also change the oil before it leaves.

 

[GladiatorG20]

Replaced the rubber fuel lines and mounted the replacement fuel pump to it's bracket on my 85 RX-7.

The fuel filter had been replaced last April and I've mostly just run the car in the driveway as I work on restoring it. The tank luckily has a drain plug, but it must have been dirtier inside than it seemed when I first drained the gas before the last filter change. Replaced it with another Napa Gold fuel filter.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Not much really as not much goes on. I do hope it picks up soon I’m kind of worried at this rate it will stay slow forever. Been working alongside the Subaru engine guy here the last few days. I love engine work it’s one of my strong places just I’ve never replaced an engine by myself but have done it quite a few times with help. It sure is heavy having to lift those things into the crates to send back the old ones but I don’t lift them alone of course. Next area I told them I want to focus on is electrical as that is my weakest area so they have been working to get me trained on it. Everything else i’m pretty strong in especially suspension and brake work. I’ll learn anything and everything especially if it keeps me from having to do tires, I hate doing tires makes me want to fall asleep lol.

 

[53' Stude]

Some brakes on a 18’ Rogue AWD, few oil changes and tire rotation on “stuffed shirts” 20’ GMC Acadia and inspection. 24k on vehicle. Oil change on a 20’ Titan ProX4 truck too. 15k and clown at last location did oil change and never changed factory filter

It has these metal show pieces that remind me of Avalanche