5 Reasons Fixing Your Own Car Will Change Your Life

[specsaregood]

Very cool I hope you keep posting your progress here.

Will do, I was already looking at the options for the coating the bumpers after looking at yours. Its one of the few spots on it where there is any rust and I've never been a big chrome fan.

I did refurb the front seats recently before the step; been happy with the results.

 

[newmisty]

 

[Irons]

I just love driving this old girl around, lots of times back to places in the woods we first visited 20 years ago.
Early mushrooms are out!

 

[DodgebyDave]

Muttons put that there to tease you. Bad Sheep.

Bad!

 

[specsaregood]

Replaced all the weather stripping on the door frames and doors and replaced the busted passenger side mirror while I was at it. That with the new lock bushings (best $1dollar part ever) the old doors are finally airtight seal quietly and no more annoying rattling while driving.

 

[stoli]

Take a photo before taking your drums apart.

 

[Irons]

Fixed my rattling heat shields today, that was a bitch. My car sits so low to the ground you can't use car ramps the plastic in front hits before you even get close to the ramps. I guess you can build up 2x4's to make a gradual ramp but I haven't done that yet. One of the heat shields must have tore loose when I hit a raccoon last summer and lately it got really noisy. Can't imagine why it was lying right on top of the cat! .

Fixed now. Money saved!

 

[mtnman]

Take a photo before taking your drums apart.
View attachment 162238

What did we do before all these instant cameras? One side at a time...

 

[glockngold]

Fixed my rattling heat shields today, that was a bitch. My car sits so low to the ground you can't use car ramps the plastic in front hits before you even get close to the ramps. I guess you can build up 2x4's to make a gradual ramp but I haven't done that yet. One of the heat shields must have tore loose when I hit a raccoon last summer and lately it got really noisy. Can't imagine why it was lying right on top of the cat! . View attachment 163372

Fixed now. Money saved!

View attachment 163373

Sure, I see the jack stands....
But looking at those jacks with the 4x4 post extensions gives me the heebie jeebies.

 

[mtnman]

Fixed my rattling heat shields today, that was a bitch. My car sits so low to the ground you can't use car ramps the plastic in front hits before you even get close to the ramps. I guess you can build up 2x4's to make a gradual ramp but I haven't done that yet. One of the heat shields must have tore loose when I hit a raccoon last summer and lately it got really noisy. Can't imagine why it was lying right on top of the cat! . View attachment 163372

Fixed now. Money saved!

View attachment 163373

I got too old to be crawling around under a car. I bought myself a Christmas present, now I can walk around under a car...

 

[Irons]

Sure, I see the jack stands....
But looking at those jacks with the 4x4 post extensions gives me the heebie jeebies.

I wasn't real hip on crawling under a car with like zero ground clearance either! The wood blocks are the only way to get the damn car high enough to do anything under it. Start with a low profile jack and jack stands and raise it block it raise it block it up until you have some room to work.
But yeah, 2 jack stands on either end and jacks so triple safeties before I went under it. Still freaked my wife out when she saw me under there.

 

[Irons]

I got too old to be crawling around under a car. I bought myself a Christmas present, now I can walk around under a car...

View attachment 163422View attachment 163423

THAT is cool as hell!

.

 

[DodgebyDave]

I love my lift

 

[DodgebyDave]

 

[specsaregood]

when I bought my Bronco, the old stereo in place wouldn't power up and was all busted up -- no biggie. I finally got a chance to put in the new stereo I bought yesterday. I took the old one out (wasn't even wired in, somebody had just pushed an old busted one in the hole), wired up my new one -- easy enough. Turned it on and everything worked, power, Bluetooth, microphone, etc; but no sound! I took it out, double checked all my wiring, plugged it and tried again, no sound. I sat there frustrated, finally figured I would check the speakers. I pull off the panels and no speakers! Somebody had removed them all, just wires going nowhere. I guess that would explain it. Got some new speakers this morning, plugged them in and I'm styling... Still gotta decide if I'm gonna wire in the backup camera it came with.

 

[D-FENZ]

Fixed my rattling heat shields today, that was a bitch. My car sits so low to the ground you can't use car ramps the plastic in front hits before you even get close to the ramps. I guess you can build up 2x4's to make a gradual ramp but I haven't done that yet. One of the heat shields must have tore loose when I hit a raccoon last summer and lately it got really noisy. Can't imagine why it was lying right on top of the cat! . View attachment 163372

Fixed now. Money saved!

View attachment 163373

Maybe it's just @glockngold and me but I would feel much safer under that car without those widow maker jacks.

Scratch that. No way in hell I'd get under that with those Jenga traps even within eyesight. No problem with even just one of the stands on each axle, but that setup... Nope.

 

[specsaregood]

Speaking of Jacks... figured I would post this here just incase any of you had these:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/33572...ands-that-could-suddenly-collapse?xid=fbshare

Harbor Freight Recalls Jack Stands That Could Suddenly Collapse

if you've got a set of Harbor Freight jack stands somewhere in your garage, stop using them immediately because many of them have just been recalled over pawls that could "disengage from the extension lifting post" under a shift in weight, causing them to suddenly collapse. We feel like this shouldn't have to be said but we'll say it anyway: bad jack stands that could suddenly fall are extremely dangerous and being underneath a car supported by one could very easily result in serious injury or death.

According to Harbor Freight, the recall applies to three-ton and six-ton heavy-duty steel jack stands with item numbers 56371, 61196, and 61197. The number on the three-ton units can be found on the label at the top while the six-ton stands have their numbers printed in the yellow section of the label found on the base.

more at link...

 

[specsaregood]

Got sunburned working on my truck all day yesterday. Installed a new motor for the passenger side window, fixed some loose trim, finally installed front speakers— needed to replace the window motor first, replaced a headlight lamp —high beam was out, touched up the dog tie downs i installed in the back, and started installing the power locks on passenger door, not powered yet. Good times.

 

[newmisty]

Got sunburned working on my truck all day yesterday. Installed a new motor for the passenger side window, fixed some loose trim, finally installed front speakers— needed to replace the window motor first, replaced a headlight lamp —high beam was out, touched up the dog tie downs i installed in the back, and started installing the power locks on passenger door, not powered yet. Good times.

I'm threatening to do new pads and rotors today. Already have the parts, just waiting for the right planetary alignment.

 

[Silver]

I'm threatening to do new pads and rotors today. Already have the parts, just waiting for the right planetary alignment.

Me too, on the planetary alignment, lol. Getting ready to do a full transmission service, an oil change, and replace all filters. Finally got all the parts and fluids, including a Motive fluid pump with all the fittings for the car. Now, I wait for the alignment.

 

[newmisty]

Me too, on the planetary alignment, lol. Getting ready to do a full transmission service, an oil change, and replace all filters. Finally got all the parts and fluids, including a Motive fluid pump with all the fittings for the car. Now, I wait for the alignment.

Mental preparation is half the battle.

 

[specsaregood]

I'm threatening to do new pads and rotors today. Already have the parts, just waiting for the right planetary alignment.

yeah, I went outside planning on just doing the window motor; but it was so nice outside and the kid was over at his mommoms, so I just keep working until my todo list was almost done.

 

[newmisty]

 

[Silver]

Planets lined up a little today, changed the oil and filter, air filters, and the biggest PITA, cabin filters. It took me most of an hour to do the cabin filters, had to remove the piece under the glove box and then remove the inside of the glove box where the CD changer is, and all the CD's fell out into pile in the floor. While I worked on the cabin filters, I let the oil completely drain. Tomorrow, I'm doing a full transmission service, including draining the torque converter - 10 liters of high priced German fluid.

 

[pitw]

Sprayer trailer started dog tracking a mite, so I had my two lads and 4 of their buddy's over[one brought his welding truck] and we went to work[I should say they went to work]. First the welder changed 4 pins and announced she is good forever to which I replied, "I doubt it", and after the test drive was proven right. After 10 minutes of them hemming and hawing I told them to take off the tires on the left front axel as I figured that was the problem spot. They fiddled and fucked with u bolts and welded a broken bracket and got the old bitch back in alignment. When asked what I owed them the answer was "Sweet F all". So I brought out a flat of cold beer and 3 hours and another flat of beer they went home.
Payback ain't always a bitch guys.

 

[newmisty]

Planets lined up a little today, changed the oil and filter, air filters, and the biggest PITA, cabin filters. It took me most of an hour to do the cabin filters, had to remove the piece under the glove box and then remove the inside of the glove box where the CD changer is, and all the CD's fell out into pile in the floor. While I worked on the cabin filters, I let the oil completely drain. Tomorrow, I'm doing a full transmission service, including draining the torque converter - 10 liters of high priced German fluid.

I'm thinking our little talk might have helped. :)

Good job, I love that sense of satisfaction when all is done, and feeling just a little more in touch with the vehicle.

 

[glockngold]

This guy is a great find.
Best how to diagnose & repair video I have ever seen.

 

[Silver]

Finished the transmission service today, took me part of 2 days. Had to drive 50 miles for 27 mm socket - I had a 27 mm deep socket but it wouldn't fit into the space. Had to turn the crankshaft pulley with the 27 to line up the drain plug on the torque converter. Completely drained the tranny, new oil pan gasket, new bolts, o rings, filter, and pumped 9 liters of fluid through the drain plug. And used about 1/2 liter of fluid to flush the oil cooler and lines.

The torque specs on the pan bolts were a little different - torque them to 4 n/m and then turn them 180 degrees. Anyway, no leaks and the tranny shifts smooth and the car runs like new.

 

[Irons]

Finished the transmission service today, took me part of 2 days. Had to drive 50 miles for 27 mm socket - I had a 27 mm deep socket but it wouldn't fit into the space. Had to turn the crankshaft pulley with the 27 to line up the drain plug on the torque converter. Completely drained the tranny, new oil pan gasket, new bolts, o rings, filter, and pumped 9 liters of fluid through the drain plug. And used about 1/2 liter of fluid to flush the oil cooler and lines.

The torque specs on the pan bolts were a little different - torque them to 4 n/m and then turn them 180 degrees. Anyway, no leaks and the tranny shifts smooth and the car runs like new.

That is the way to do it right, great job! Changing that fluid will add years to your transmission, most people never do it.

At 175,000 miles I bought a transmission upgrade & filter kit that also had all 4 updated AC Delco shift solenoids in it. That's the GM way, come out with better solenoids after the vehicles have been on the road for several years. Transmission runs cool and shifts great now though!


.

 

[Voodoo]

really like his videos. Wish I had watched some sooner. Got an Outback with only 125k miles and now a serious oil leak. Sounds like hell on cold starts. Left side has a bunch of oil sitting on top. Hoping its a some valve covers and not the head gasket. Not impressed. Drives well but not great quality. Not sure why they keep sticking with the flat boxer design.

 

[Uncle]

Some years had head gasket issues. Google will help.

Was covered under recall IIRC.

Golden Regards
Uncle

 

[southfork]

Gota add some refrigerant today, replaced a hose last year and didn't have enough to fill it completely , now have to find the servicing hose so I don't have to buy new one.

 

[Irons]

really like his videos. Wish I had watched some sooner. Got an Outback with only 125k miles and now a serious oil leak. Sounds like hell on cold starts. Left side has a bunch of oil sitting on top. Hoping its a some valve covers and not the head gasket. Not impressed. Drives well but not great quality. Not sure why they keep sticking with the flat boxer design.

Seems awfully complicated for a 4 banger!

 

[Casey Jones]

Mental preparation is half the BOTTLE.

Fixed it for ya.

 

[newmisty]

Sotty q&a

 

[Irons]

Did the brake job from hell yesterday, made worse because I put it off until the drivers side started squealing metal on metal.
Good to go now though. New rotors ceramic pads and everything ground, fitted, greased and moving smoothly.




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[Silver]

He mentioned someone was buried in their Jag...

This week in in 1977, socialite Sandra West was buried in her Ferrari in San Antonio

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/l...ite-Sandra-West-was-7528939.php#photo-7545967

 

[mtnman]

He mentioned someone was buried in their Jag...

This week in in 1977, socialite Sandra West was buried in her Ferrari in San Antonio

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/l...ite-Sandra-West-was-7528939.php#photo-7545967

Way way way back in my younger days I ran around with a bunch of bikers around Pasco county Florida. One old man called "Chief" died. He was buried on his panhead. They dug a hole in the cemetery. Sat the bike in the hole, sat Chief on the bike and filled the hole with concrete. It's still there today...

 

[specsaregood]

Now that im in a house with a place big enough for tools and working; I changed the oil in the bronco yesterday. Need to get some ramps so I can takeover that job for the wifes Subaru.

 

[newmisty]