What are you working on today?

[LostInTransit]

Sent an email to hardrace telling them their plates don't work or fit on the MK4 focus.. I've never gotten any return emails from site like this.. I've already sent them several emails about the Kuga sway bar fitting on the van and never got an email back from them on this either..

 

[KevinMalone]

I used to be a wiper blade snob and only used Valeo Silencio or 900 in the past. However, recently I have only been getting a year out of them before they start streaking, and decided they're no longer worth the premium. I decided to try out cheap wipers from AliExpress since there wasn't much to lose, even if I had to replace them annually.

I've become a fan of the Denso hybrid wiper blades found on Toyota/Lexus, and even Ferraris. They look good, have a low profile and it's very easy to replace the insert on them. I found very similar looking hybrid blades on AliExpress for <$10 each and decided to give them a try. They're not exactly the same as the Denso hybrids but you would be hard pressed to tell a difference. Interestingly, the AliExpress hybrid wiper connectors work with both 9x3 and 9x4 hooks, while the Denso hybrids only work with 9x3 without a specific 9x4 adapter. The wipers wipe without any issues, but they are still new and I will reserve judgment on durability.

I also purchased 8mm refill inserts from AliExpress for <$5 each. They fit both the original Denso and AliExpress hybrid wipers and work without issue so far. The rubber had "TTD" on them, which seems to cross reference to wiper manufacturer Refresh Auto Parts Co. Not sure if this means anything, but at least they're not a completely no name brand?

I also tried beam wipers off AliExpress but I'm not sure I can recommend them. While they wipe fine, they make a "flip flop" noise at the start and end of each wipe. Build quality is poor compared to the hybrid wipers, and it's a huge pain to replace the inserts on them as you have to disassemble the wiper completely. I do like the connector design though - very easy to use and much lower profile than Valeo's.

 

[D60]

I had to go to the LWS to swap my T cylinder on my big MIG and I'm just posting to complain that with each passing year those cylinders seem to get taller and heavier

 

[ripcord]

I had to go to the LWS to swap my T cylinder on my big MIG and I'm just posting to complain that with each passing year those cylinders seem to get taller and heavier

I hear you. I also seem to be getting taller. Or maybe the ground is getting farther away? Either way, bending down to pick something up just keeps getting to be more and more work.

 

[14Accent]

Mowed the lawn before the rain comes, and afterwards I decided to finally do something about the horrible handlebar position of our little MTD 20 incher. From the factory, the handlebar was positioned in such a way that it ended up barely waist height on my 5'10 frame. I was constantly in a state of "hunch" which made even 30 minutes of mowing uncomfortable.

I pulled the rear wheels, removed the lower mounting bolt for the bar, rotated the bar itself up ~ 10 degrees and drilled new holes. Slapped the original hardware back in and bam! elbows at a nice 90 degree angle. Feels MUCH nicer now that I can mow and stand up straight.

In an effort to quiet the little guy down, I ordered a Super Lo-Tone muffler upgrade off the 'Bay for $10 just to see what would happen. As it turns out, it actually does provide a slight perceived reduction in overall sound level. It's by no means a quiet mower, but a definite improvement over the tiny stock round unit.

 

[BrianF]

Took my beater Sunfire out for a good burn yesterday. Other than the idle went to crap, runs good on the highway and im very impressed with the brakes! Linear, firm and no pulsating.

When i first got it, the idle was a little off kilter, the odd stumble etc. New plugs seemed to help. I then cleaned the IAC and throttle body which really did not improve. It doesn't die, just a bit rough.

Also found the cooling fan not working, not even with the ac on. Cleaned the contacts and checked fuses and relays. Now it comes on with ac but not by coolant temp.....

So I'll check the wires and such today

 

[The Critic]

2016 RAV4, 126K. This belongs to the shop neighbor; it’s my annual community service contribution:

Oil change, tire rotation, replace cabin air filter, drain and refill transfer case fluid, drain and refill rear differential fluid, 10.5 qt transmission fluid exchange, brake fluid exchange w/pressure bleeder, replace rear brake pads and rotors, degrease engine bay.

2012 Civic 1.8L, 129K:

Oil change, tire rotation, vacuum cabin air filter, replace crankcase breather hose, replace battery tie-down, drain and refill transmission fluid, brake fluid exchange w/pressure bleeder.

 

[D60]

Rebuilt the front double cardan in my buddy's '85 K20

 

[meep]

Got 8x8’ of attic floor down. Shooting for an 8x16’ pad, plus probably 48sq ft of twisted “catwalk” to get there. Will one day be good storage. Why the inspiration for attic work starts every June …idk.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Daughter-in-laws '21 Tucson, only has 26k on it. She moves to VA in 2 weeks to join my son - cabin filter, air filter, front and rear brake pads. Pads still had some life left but they were rusting up and hard to get out. $120 for the pads at least I know they will be good for the road trips back and forth. Took it to Costco and got the plug/patch done, small screw made a pin hole to inside. Barely any bubbles but there was some, tire was about 1/2 lb low. I also did Aquapel on windshield and Rain-X on the rest.

Friday it went to local autobody shop for some paintless dent removal, a gift from an unknown fan at the train station. This was on drivers door so you see it all the time. The guy at body shop does a great job, heck I might consider doing some dings on the Accord.

Before PDR, it was pushed in on half the length of that scuff.

After PDR

 

[Kennedy01]

That's great. The only potential downside I see is having to re-tool all over again. They maybe said they'd provide everything but I'd want a lot of my own stuff like mics, calipers, tap guides, co-ax indicator, test indicator, mag bases and more.

Otherwise it's a bit like stepping into auto repair and they say they provide ALL tools. But what if you want semi deep sockets, or flex head ratcheting wrenches and they only have fixed head, etc.

If you wind up with your own box, don't believe you have to have a brown Kennedy (despite your username) to be a "real" machinist. I always rocked black ball bearing GripLatch stuff and it was great. A lot of machinist boxes are friction slide which boggles the mind because tooling and 1-2-3, 2-4-6 blocks etc get heavy QUICK. As a machinist you're opening drawers just as often as an auto tech for various fixtures, jigs, measuring instruments etc so ball bearing slides really are faster and less fatiguing after a full day.

I have my own micrometers, dial indicators, test indicators, scribes and whirlybird deburring tools....a dead blow hammer, some various pliers, vise grips....so far they actually have had everything I've needed and I haven't had to buy any other tools. They provide some really good cutting tools. Using a cheap Hyper Tough box I got at Walmart. If I do choose to start buying more tools, they have an option to buy through the shop and take the amount from my check. Might take advantage of that at some point.

 

[BrianF]

Piddled around on the Sunfire again, trying to sort out the rough idle. Began thinking that the new plugs helped but that another day after, i was messing with the wires for some reason. Under load, she runs fine.

I pulled each plug, all had good torque and nice burn. Ohmed out the wires, which were 10,500 evenly down to 8500 ohms. Ok fine. So I took my time ensuring each wire was seated and snapped onto the plug. As open of a design as they are, that coolant pipe is in the way. After each snapped on, she idled as perfectly as that little boat anchor could, both hot and cold.

Tomorrow if time allows, I'll swing by Cambodian Tire and try out one of those do it yourself ac recharge kits. I found the compressor was short cycling. That will be one less thing out of the way.

 

[Creekside]

Graveside service with military honors for my grandfather yesterday morning and then mowed hay most of the afternoon. Got about 25 acres laid down that will get rained on tonight but I have enough dry days starting tomorrow to get it dry enough to bale. Also had to set up a landing zone for a heart attack patient close to our farm yesterday afternoon. For the remote areas we will land the helicopter close to wherever the patient is usually in a field or roadway.

 

[BrianF]

@Creekside we too use whatever is available for our air ambulance (STARS). They have come into some real shady sht but usually it's a nice open field, which we have abundance of.

Pretty stoked, did that Red Tek at home ac recharge on the Sunfire. Blows nice and cold now. When i was testing it out, the misfire came back but thankfully the hood was up and I heard and saw the telltale sign of a bad plug wire connection. She was snapping randomly and giving off a spark in low light. Its cylinder 1 and due to the angle, it was still not seated good. I pushed the boot back a bit so the connection was made easily with an audible click. Then pushed the boot over. Fingers crossed.

 

[53' Stude]

@Creekside we too use whatever is available for our air ambulance (STARS). They have come into some real shady sht but usually it's a nice open field, which we have abundance of.

Pretty stoked, did that Red Tek at home ac recharge on the Sunfire. Blows nice and cold now. When i was testing it out, the misfire came back but thankfully the hood was up and I heard and saw the telltale sign of a bad plug wire connection. She was snapping randomly and giving off a spark in low light. Its cylinder 1 and due to the angle, it was still not seated good. I pushed the boot back a bit so the connection was made easily with an audible click. Then pushed the boot over. Fingers crossed.

I wanna know what’s going in sump and on filter wise next oci

Thank You and good work sir

 

[snarl]

@Creekside Sorry about your grandfather. Good job on landing site.

 

[Ranger83]

Unloaded my Sprinter van and listed it for sale. It runs great, but can’t pass MA inspection due to rust.

Bummer as 2006 was the last year for minimal emissions controls on the five cyclinder diesel, and the last year for the short (118”) wheelbase. So no easy way to replace it.

 

[walterjay]

Unloaded my Sprinter van and listed it for sale. It runs great, but can’t pass MA inspection due to rust.

Bummer as 2006 was the last year for minimal emissions controls on the five cyclinder diesel, and the last year for the short (118”) wheelbase. So no easy way to replace it.

I had one of those. The thing is still on the road as far as I know. It was a rust bucket though. When I was in business every summer I would do any necessary rust repair and touch up to keep it looking good. Last I saw it was pretty sad looking.

 

[wavinwayne]

Replaced several of these old Leviton 15A outlets that ONLY have backstab connections. That's a first for me. Replaced with commercial grade Leviton 15A outlets with side and back wiring.

 

[BrianF]

@53' Stude that is a great question...... all I can say is that it's going to be cheap. It has conventional 5w30 in it now with that Motomaster OE plus oil filter. It gives that 24,000km guarantee with synthetic oil...... honestly, likely do 10,000km indexes and if I continue using the car lots over the winter and so forth, it will get some brand of cheap synthetic. Because the filter is a PIA to change, every second oil change...... maybe.