What are you working on today?

New front shocks on the 526k mile '96 4Runner. Bilstein replacing crappy Monroes (OE Spectrum my a**!)

These UCAs have a nice spot for my 24" all-sixteenths to lever everything down to line up the lower bolt ;)
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Kind of a weird day and it's only half over. I started with a front brake job on my parents' '06 Silverado with 94k miles. The pads were still pretty good but the rotors needed turned. Instead I opted for inexpensive rotors I found from a clearinghouse on ebay. It saves me the time of having to get them turned, and this truck is ultimately going to my step sister who is one of the dumbest people I know (not kidding). I used ceramic Centric pads from RA because they were cheap.

The rotors came shipped USPS Ground Advantage like this, but they made it!
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Installed. This truck is the 285/6C bracket casting. GM figured it'd be fun to make you go on a scavenger hunt for casting numbers before ordering pads :D
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Then the owners of the high mileage 4Runner came to pick it up. I've never worked for them before and they have not yet driven the vehicle since I touched it, but they still brought me homemade cookies and a card filled out by both the husband and wife. Wow, talk about grateful customers!
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Then my client with the '08 Range Rover Sport (ugh) called to say the vehicle was parked overnight at Big O waiting on new tires (because the camber is never right on these) and someone sugared the gas tank. Maybe just random vandalism but I suspect some young NeverSomethingers thought they were making a profound statement -- by hurting a blue collar Army vet who has a 17-year-old vehicle.
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I'll probably be starting a standalone thread on how to approach the Rover
 
5K service on my MIL’s 24 RX350h. This officially consists of a tire rotation and vehicle inspection.

I generally follow the OEM service schedule but I elect to change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Let me take you along.

First off, Toyota decided to use lug bolts which was absolutely no fun for 21” wheels:
IMG_2628.webp


Oil level was perfect and all underhood components checked out. No leaks. I added a 303 washer fluid tab to the reservoir (unknown dealer fill) and also topped it off:

IMG_2631.webp


All tires were inflated to 3 psi over spec. I also inflated the spare:

IMG_2632.webp

Tested the 12V battery. It tested ok but had a low SOC, so I hooked up the charger until the driver picks up the vehicle:

IMG_2633.webp


I reset the maintenance reminder (but not the oil maintenance remainder) and initiated the tire positioning relearn. Toyota is requiring this every time the tires are rotated:

IMG_2629.webp


Lastly, I affixed the very important service reminder sticker. ;)

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2010 Volvo XC60
replaced the motor mount that connects the engine to the passenger side of the body, which is under the torque strut mount, rotated tires, changed oil

2006 Dodge Ram 3500
R&I left rear brake rotor to adjust parking brake shoes....it's practically impossible to do this through the slot in the backing plate. The right side slot is at the bottom of the plate, where it belongs, but the left side is opposite and is placed at the top, butted up against the leaf spring. This is a captive rotor so the axle had to be removed. The right side brake held great so I only did the left side. Also adjusted the cable beneath the driver's side of the cab. It's better, it technically holds, but this truck could really use new parking brake shoes and hardware, new rotors and new rear pads. It rarely leaves the farm however so good enough is ....good enough

1998 GMC Sierra 1500
Replaced distributor cap and rotor button, air filter, cleaned mass air flow sensor, changed oil
 
2010 Volvo XC60
replaced the motor mount that connects the engine to the passenger side of the body, which is under the torque strut mount, rotated tires, changed oil

2006 Dodge Ram 3500
R&I left rear brake rotor to adjust parking brake shoes....it's practically impossible to do this through the slot in the backing plate. The right side slot is at the bottom of the plate, where it belongs, but the left side is opposite and is placed at the top, butted up against the leaf spring. This is a captive rotor so the axle had to be removed. The right side brake held great so I only did the left side. Also adjusted the cable beneath the driver's side of the cab. It's better, it technically holds, but this truck could really use new parking brake shoes and hardware, new rotors and new rear pads. It rarely leaves the farm however so good enough is ....good enough

1998 GMC Sierra 1500
Replaced distributor cap and rotor button, air filter, cleaned mass air flow sensor, changed oil
I hate these designs that act like they have a window for the star wheel but it's not really functional.

IME the Dodge system has a low tolerance. If the shoes are slightly worn or the cables are just barely stretched too much, it hardly works at all.
 
I hate these designs that act like they have a window for the star wheel but it's not really functional.

IME the Dodge system has a low tolerance. If the shoes are slightly worn or the cables are just barely stretched too much, it hardly works at all.
I kind of hated to have it apart and not replaced everything, but that was the call. A 3500 4wd 4 door Cummins is a lot of truck to hold with a parking brake.
 
Well, I think I got the sugared Range Rover resolved. Looking at the filler tube, it drops down from the neck and then has a near-horizontal run to the left over the framerail, then it drops again, turns to the front and has another long near-horizontal to the tank.

I pulled the rubber coupler at the tank itself and couldn't find, feel or see any trace of sugar. Also, rather than having the little flap at the gas cap, Rover put the spring-loaded flap inside the tank. I could barely reach it with my middle finger (not as much fun as it sounds), and I would have expected to feel a little grit at this flap if the sugar made it this far.

Then, I plugged the tank inlet and pointed the filler hose down.

First, I vacuumed everything I could at the filler neck with my Airtip attachment on my big shop vac.

Second, I blew UP from the tank end, note the sugar spewing in the light:
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IMG_20250320_082511.webp

Third, I blew DOWN from cap end.

Fourth, I plugged the tank end with a rag and filled the filler neck with fuel, then pulled the rag to hopefully "flush" the long neck. I was concerned just a trickle of gas wouldn't catch the entire ID. I did this a couple times, trying not to go so full as to overflow the canister.

Fifth, I ran ~2 gallons through the neck, just unobstructed.

Sixth, I blew back UP one last time, then put it all together.

The vehicle had already been driven ~30 miles to get to me and was at 1/4 tank. I think if it was going to have a problem it would have? Maybe?
 
09 Hyundai Sonata, customer(a friend) states weird sounds and the engine is cutting out. Pulled codes last night, P0302, P0264 and P2610. Cleared codes, took the car out for a drive and all seemed OK but I felt something was a little off. Fuel trims looked OK, STFT was between -2%<>3% and the LTFT was hovering at 5%. Decided to open the hood and look at the wiring for the injectors since the P0264 was logged. Loose injector wire. Told the friend to drive the car and let me know.
 
He got very lucky. It doesn't sound like any sugar made it to the tank. 🙏
Well, I think I got the sugared Range Rover resolved. Looking at the filler tube, it drops down from the neck and then has a near-horizontal run to the left over the framerail, then it drops again, turns to the front and has another long near-horizontal to the tank.

I pulled the rubber coupler at the tank itself and couldn't find, feel or see any trace of sugar. Also, rather than having the little flap at the gas cap, Rover put the spring-loaded flap inside the tank. I could barely reach it with my middle finger (not as much fun as it sounds), and I would have expected to feel a little grit at this flap if the sugar made it this far.

Then, I plugged the tank inlet and pointed the filler hose down.

First, I vacuumed everything I could at the filler neck with my Airtip attachment on my big shop vac.

Second, I blew UP from the tank end, note the sugar spewing in the light:View attachment 269031
View attachment 269032
Third, I blew DOWN from cap end.

Fourth, I plugged the tank end with a rag and filled the filler neck with fuel, then pulled the rag to hopefully "flush" the long neck. I was concerned just a trickle of gas wouldn't catch the entire ID. I did this a couple times, trying not to go so full as to overflow the canister.

Fifth, I ran ~2 gallons through the neck, just unobstructed.

Sixth, I blew back UP one last time, then put it all together.

The vehicle had already been driven ~30 miles to get to me and was at 1/4 tank. I think if it was going to have a problem it would have? Maybe?
.
 
Trim is just about done in the garage. Yes I know I butted the base instead of 45°. My mitre saw is small and I wasn't about to get out the circular saw. I'm fully aware it's not exactly the way it should be done. It's just a garage.

NZPrJ6q.jpg


All the base is 1/4" off the floor in case of water in or out. Previously being a carport, the concrete is sloped so water does some funky stuff.

I also did what I call West Virginia crown molding at the top to cover the gap :ROFLMAO: Ripped down some cheap furring strips 1 1/4" wide.
 
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4wd
Replaced left front CV axle, left front wheel hub, front brake pads and rotors, rotated tires, changed oil

2014 GMC Sierra 1500
Rotated tires, inspected brakes, changed engine oil
 
5K service on my MIL’s 24 RX350h. This officially consists of a tire rotation and vehicle inspection.

I generally follow the OEM service schedule but I elect to change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Let me take you along.

First off, Toyota decided to use lug bolts which was absolutely no fun for 21” wheels:
View attachment 268945

Oil level was perfect and all underhood components checked out. No leaks. I added a 303 washer fluid tab to the reservoir (unknown dealer fill) and also topped it off:

View attachment 268946

All tires were inflated to 3 psi over spec. I also inflated the spare:

View attachment 268947
Tested the 12V battery. It tested ok but had a low SOC, so I hooked up the charger until the driver picks up the vehicle:

View attachment 268948

I reset the maintenance reminder (but not the oil maintenance remainder) and initiated the tire positioning relearn. Toyota is requiring this every time the tires are rotated:

View attachment 268953

Lastly, I affixed the very important service reminder sticker. ;)

View attachment 268950
On the battery voltage. My Tacoma hybrid, very new, hangs out with 12.15VDC with the car off. I’ve been under the hood a few times chasing DC for some forward lighting upgrades. I do not think Toyota’s charging strategy is going to be kind to batteries.
 
On the battery voltage. My Tacoma hybrid, very new, hangs out with 12.15VDC with the car off. I’ve been under the hood a few times chasing DC for some forward lighting upgrades. I do not think Toyota’s charging strategy is going to be kind to batteries.
It might be an issue with short trips. As you may recall, I picked up the vehicle from a dealer that was 400 miles away and made a number of long trips during the first few weeks. At some point during those first few weeks I tested the battery and I recall the SOV being normal.
 
Easy morning . Exercised my two generators and cranked my pressure washer . Took the wife to physical therapy this afternoon .
 
No photos but did belts, a central grease hose and a few clamps on L60H this morning and a 500h service on L120H in the afternoon. 500h services seem so stupid. All we do is change the fuel filters, do a parked regen and check over the machine (1000h oil interval).
Is supposed to take 1.75h but took 2h but whatever, I get paid the same.
 
Did a spill and fill on the Ram's AS69RC and for fun, checked the exhaust pressure sensor. Other than being black, no carbon buildup but there was a bunch of moisture.

Also picked up some swaybar bushings and end links from Napa. This is fore my daughter's 2004 Escape. Also ordered up some rear wheel cylinders. Hoping to get the swaybar done tomorrow.

For fun, I decided to spill 5 litres of ATF on the ground. It made a beautiful puddle with splash marks all about!!
 
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