What Did You Do In The Garage Today?

[NC Boy Scout]

Just a pita job if you dont want to take a bath. I used my extraction pump to empty the pan (rather than a nice easy drain plug), then used a hand pump to refill to the cold level (because again, no way in hell am i running it to operating temp and checking it next to the screaming hot cat). Morons should be required to work on what they designed.

I recently bought a Saturn Sky. It’s approaching 100k miles, trans fluid service recommended. I have to drop the exhaust, remove heat shields, and drop the driveshaft just to get to the trans pan. No fill port, only a plug on the side. Actual instructions say to measure the amount of fluid removed and put that much back in. 😵‍💫

 

[Diablos]

I recently bought a Saturn Sky. It’s approaching 100k miles, trans fluid service recommended. I have to drop the exhaust, remove heat shields, and drop the driveshaft just to get to the trans pan. No fill port, only a plug on the side. Actual instructions say to measure the amount of fluid removed and put that much back in. 😵‍💫

Let me know when the hunt begins, ill help

 

[confused]

Any vehicle electricians in here? I'm no mechanic but know enough to keep me off the side of the road most times. I handle all my own maintenance and basic repairs. But when it comes to vehicle wiring I don't know what's going on except for little stereo knowledge. I've got a 1984 nissan/datsun 720 mini truck I got cheap few years back. Someone before me has put in a v6 out of a 280 z. It has been a good running truck and was on the road for a year after I got it. But when you cut on the headlights the motor cuts out and eventually shuts down. Same when setting at a turn with turn signal on motor will cut out and off if you don't turn signal off quick. I've checked everything I know to check with meter and checked ground wires. I can't figure out what makes motor stop when lights or signals are turned on.

I bet that is a fun little ride! Now you just need the turbo to go with it!!

 

[Diablos]

And no drain on the front diff...

 

[Jerzsubbie]

Found a damn mouse nest next to my safe I pulled it away from the corner to see if there was a hole in the slab, indeed there is a small gap.


I went back into the garage 20min later and saw the mouse dragging a piece of plastic bag! I found a mouse trap, set it w peanut butter and not even 10min later, I hear a “SNAP!”


Needless to say, I’ll be trying to seal up everything in the garage and setting traps all week to ensure I get any friends of his.

 

[easternnc4me]

Harbor Freight headlight restorer. Turned out ok. Got a couple more cars to do. I’ll be using the Sylvania one instead of Habor Freight. No drill required. The drill slings white stuff from sanding the lens. Read online that people recommend finishing them off with NuPolish so that’s what I did to try to make it last longer

 

[Jerzsubbie]

Harbor Freight headlight restorer. Turned out ok. Got a couple more cars to do. I’ll be using the Sylvania one instead of Habir Freight. No drill required. The drill slings white stuff from sanding the lens. Read online that people recommend finishing them off with NuPolish so that’s what I did to try to make it last longer

View attachment 744777

View attachment 744778

Looks great, I need to do mine, but how long are people saying new polish lasts? I’d guess it’s 3-4mo like most wax/polish. I’ve heard people getting excellent longterm results with 4k automotive clear.

 

[easternnc4me]

Looks great, I need to do mine, but how long are people saying new polish lasts? I’d guess it’s 3-4mo like most wax/polish. I’ve heard people getting excellent longterm results with 4k automotive clear.

6 months or a little longer if reapplied from what I read. Clear coat will definitely last longer

 

[Button Pusher]

Brakes F&R for '09 Malibu my youngest drives.
Caliper bracket was wrong on the reman calipers. Lost time with that.

 

[Button Pusher]

I used to have a 2 cycle LawnBoy that could not have weighed more than 20 lbs. Aluminum deck and handle bars.
I lent it out and it was ran without oil in the fuel ....

I believe the Lawn Boys had magnesium alloy frames. Landscapers liked them because you can go up and down hills and not have oil issues.
We had one back in 1969. It ran forever.

 

[catpop]

Changed 4 trailer tires in the rain.
Oh joy what fun!

 

[easternnc4me]

Well, I thought I was finished with the Camry for a little while. I was wrong. Two days ago I decided to change the spark plugs since I didn't know if they had been replaced before. Three of the 4 connector tabs broke (the part that snaps on). Like any redneck, I rednecked it to hold until I could go to Google University and the internet to find out a solution. It is a known issue with the old Toyota, Scion, and Lexus vehicles. The heat from the motor makes the plastic brittle over time. Reading on the internet one guy said the dealership wanted $900 to replace the wiring harness. Another person said the dealership wanted $300 to replace the connector. Some people just zip-tied it and left it alone Found several Youtube videos. Ordered some connectors off of Amazon on Thursday and they arrived on Saturday. Changed them out this morning. It took about 25 minutes. My temporary solution was wrapping electrical tape over the connector that broke off, placed small piece of cardboard on top then zip-tied it for extra security on keeping it on until I got the chance to change them. Maybe this will help someone who runs into this problem.

The videos I used as references:





Link to connectors I ordered off of Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ignition-Con...x=camry+ingtion+coil+connector,aps,67&sr=8-11

 

[Diablos]

turned some wrenches on the truck yesterday (planned upgrades, boxes have been looking at me for months)

last couple of times i've towed, temps have gotten way warmer than i like (first round killed the oem stand pipe, which led to me R&Ring those along with upgrading injectors), deltas totally normal while driving (which leads me to believe the oil cooler is gtg)

so on to the radiator/charge air cooler (the latter i suspected was on its way out as i heard boost "hunting" on a previous trip as well)

radiator overall looked in good condition for its age (original factory part as far as i know), but upon close inspection the fins appear to be plugged pretty good





charge air cooler, looks like it may have a small rupture where the oil is, hard to tell really. truck always built boost well and i only had the "hunting" issue when i had cruise set pulling the camper



The other issue noted was it appears the water pump developed a small leak, will be replacing with oem

 

[Jerzsubbie]

The rear passenger door handle on my 13 GX460 decided to snap last week, right where it pivots at the front of the handle. My options are either:
A) repair it
B) buy aftermakret replacement handle set for $60 giving up my touch lock/unlock feature and have them painted at a body shop
C) buy OEM for over $500, maintain features, have them painted at a body shop.



The chrome accents on the handles has seen better days but I plan on selling this vehicle later this year, so I opted for option A.

I decided to try out a cordless hot stapler from Amazon for like $25. This thing gets the staples red hot in under 5sec! It was super easy to use once I figured out the best placement for the staples. The handle felt really sturdy so I trimmed the legs and gave it a quick sand with a dremel sanding drum.



3 days after the repair, no issues. I really like this hot stapler, I’ll definitely be using it to repair some kid’s toys.

 

[Clicker]

On the way to rescue a friend who's car had busted a coolant hose fitting the old Buick LeSabre thew a P0300 code - Misfire.

Checked the coils and see that the coil for cylinders 1 & 4 isn't working, easy fix I thought, probably should have swapped the coils around to confirm before buying a new coil. Install a new coil and still the same issue. Now it's off to the local salvage yard and I pull a ICM of a 2002 Buick Park Ave, $26.00. Grabbed a dipstick while I was there since the plastic on mine is split near the oil ring seal, another $4.50 invested in the ole girl.

Clean everything up and bolt on the new ICM with a dab of thermal paste applied to mounting plate plus the coils and we're back in business!

I keep a spreadsheet on my vehicles to track maintenance and such so as I log these parts I notice the junkyard charges a core charge for both the ICM and dipstick - WTF? I had the old ICM with me when I went to the yard and the clerk saw & even marked the effing thing but never mentioned the core charge. Sure it is my fault for not looking at the receipt but I ain't having none of dat so I jump on the KLR and ride back to get my $2.25 back.

Now here's were it gets weird - I go to a different clerk for my refund and this guy prints me a store credit good for one year. I balk and say no I want him to refund my card and he replies they don't give refunds only store credit, I push back and explain I don't believe thats correct and he says he would just buy my credit for himself. Luckily some upper management guy walks by and corrects the clerk and I'm GTG. I can hear y'all now - WOW all of this over $2 but I really just wanted to ride the KLR for a few minutes and I want my 2 dollars on principle.
(Insert video of the paperboy from Better Off Dead here)

 

[1075tech]

Replaced the starter on the wife's 18 Hyundai Tucson. Would have been so much easier if you could actually use a socket and ratchet.

Nope. Open end wrench. Turn, flip wrench, turn a little more. Repeat 86,000 times until bolt falls out.

 

[Jeppo]

Would have been so much easier if you could actually use a socket and ratchet.

Nope. Open end wrench. Turn, flip wrench, turn a little more. Repeat 86,000 times until bolt falls out.

Or maybe something like this? 🤓

 

[1075tech]

Or maybe something like this? 🤓

View attachment 750707

Never seen anything like that. It might have worked. I have some closed end ratcheting wrenches. Even if I'd had the right size, they wouldn't have fit

 

[elmostump]

Too wet to do anything else so I made me a stove.

 

[Button Pusher]

I keep a spreadsheet on my vehicles to track maintenance and such so as I log these parts I notice the junkyard charges a core charge for both the ICM and dipstick - WTF? I had the old ICM with me when I went to the yard and the clerk saw & even marked the effing thing but never mentioned the core charge. Sure it is my fault for not looking at the receipt but I ain't having none of dat so I jump on the KLR and ride back to get my $2.25 back.

Good catch, LKQ parts yards also add on a warranty fee to each item unless you ask them to remove it when you buy the parts.

 

[HMP]

Started making some SOMA Cubes
I have one completed, with enough cubes to make two more. Just got tired of being out there for the day, exhausted.
Also started working on a little 'tray' to place my laptop on at the laser engraver

 

[avenomusduck]

Does work on garage count 😁
Getting insulation and OSB up then onto running pipe for wiring and build work bench.
Did get new sneakers for woman's Exploder too 😎

 

[Jeppo]

Never seen anything like that. It might have worked. I have some closed end ratcheting wrenches. Even if I'd had the right size, they wouldn't have fit

 

[1075tech]

View attachment 750982

Tried that. The open end ratcheting wrenches would have worked

 

[confused]

Got the rear mufflers on the c10 replaced after one of the cheap turbo mufflers case un wrapped. Yes it has four mufflers as I like quiet. Sleeper status if you will.
I used the dynomax super turbos I pulled off my Duster when I bought it.

 

[chocolate lab84]

Noticed a lower pressure then normal on the front tire on my daily driver. Damn nail in the sideway where it meets the tread. Plugged it to get it to the tire shop and ordered a replacement. Then noticed a busted ball joint on the same tire. Borrowed the ball joint tool from Advanced Auto so I didn't have to spend an extra $175 for a one off tool. But it comes with the territory of driving older vehicles and its better then a payment!

 

[Diablos]

been doing some cosmetic upgrades to the truck, replaced the beat headlights with some replacements from rockauto and just installed these foglights from diode dynamics

 

[Diablos]

And for a 2006 (thats starting to show its age here and there), it still cleans up nice.

Cant remember the last time i had a covered spot to wax it

 

[HMP]

View attachment 750982

Never tried those, and for the life of me, they just dont make sense. I cant get my head around how you can put a ratchet on it and get the bolt head (or nut) to turn.

 

[HMP]

Today in the garage (so far)
-worked on some woodworking things - think some basic white people at Hobby Lobby things. Making some arrow decorative items to hang on a wall...not mine, but hopefully someone's
-ran the laser engraver a bit, did some wood coasters to sell at my work's 'spring fling' coming up in a month
-cleaned up the parts I got at the yard today, started listing on facebook and ebay

 

[Jeppo]

Never tried those, and for the life of me, they just dont make sense. I cant get my head around how you can put a ratchet on it and get the bolt head (or nut) to turn.

You’re right. They make no sense (until there’s not enough clearance for a “normal” wrench or socket). 🤓

 

[HMP]

You’re right. They make no sense (until there’s not enough clearance for a “normal” wrench or socket). 🤓

doesnt make me understand it any better. Off to google, surely there's a video of how they work

 

[Button Pusher]

Never tried those, and for the life of me, they just dont make sense. I cant get my head around how you can put a ratchet on it and get the bolt head (or nut) to turn.

I use them when I replaced the rack and pinion gear, only way to get to the hose fittings on my Ford Taurus using long extension.

 

[JoeR]

Tore the transmission out of my neighbor's 1987 Olds. It only has a bout 70k miles on it, nut the low/reverse clutches delaminated. Thankfully he didn't smoke the crap out of them. It'll be an easy rebuild.

 

[Button Pusher]

 

[Diablos]

 

[mellocollins]

Repair my brother’s old boat that he gave to me. Has not run since he burned up transmission and took it apart 12 years ago.



If you look closely you can see the motor sitting in the boat. It was full of water from the exhaust pipe pointing up.

A bunch of flushing later I got it running. Decent compression too. Probably due to his choice of premium synthetics.

Had to replace the marine damper.

Got hydraulic pump working and have dropped cylinder off for a rebuild and new lines.

Fabricated new mount for the new steering cable and relocated attachment furter from pivot to give it more leverage.


Input shaft of new transmission was to long. The steel was hardened so no machine shop would touch it unless I disassembled it. Filled it with atf and stuck it in freezer for 36hrs. Cut it myself and kept icing shaft to protect seals. Not bad for an amateur with an angle grinder.
Old and new



80 dollars of high grade nuts and bolts later I got it mounted up and ready to install.



Going to have fun remounting it tomorrow. About busted a gut getting it out.

 

[HMP]

Busy day. First day of Spring Break, but didnt get much break.
Slept in till 7:15, at the coffee shop by about 8:30 to finish up a paper due before class tonight, and then to my wifes new shop space to build her some stuff for the new location. No pics, and not much to see yet, but the cashwrap will be *mostly* done tomorrow.

I spent several hours there and at HD as she changed her mind on the size of one of the sides...
Then my dumbbutt didnt think about the extra 1.5 of the 2x4 when doing the 'sides' of the piece, so I just finished up cutting off 3" off each board and had to trim another on the table saw.

Alright, so my garage stuff

-pumped up tires on my mountain bike, heading to the beach and want to take something to pedal around on. Not ridden in about a year, so excited about that.

-laser cut some pieces to create some storage and organization for my DA sander pads/sheets

while the laser machine was on, I started to batch up some UNCG wood coasters. Made a lot already (of different things, not just the G), more to go before the event at school. Might shift the image over a mm or two before I do too many more

Tonight during class I had an idea for my pegboard by the worktable.
I recently bought a pegboard organizer from HD...not really what I wanted once I got it home. Thankfully I can get that 10 bucks back as I didnt take label off.
But I had an idea using, mostly, stuff I already have.
Going to use two of the long, straight pegboard hooks (about 5") and connect one piece of wood to it (which will be pictured just below this). Then I'll place another pair of hooks - both of these I'll secure the wood to, by the way - and place a different piece of wood to it. Just using 5mm luan.
But the bottom piece will be solid, the top I'm going to cut some holes for the wood glue bottle, my pens, pencils, and sharpies, my box cutters, and more.

So far this is what I've got worked out - my drill is at wifes shop and I didnt want to mess with the drill press, so just marking things tonight

I dont have too much more I want to do with this first try. But being able to have a shelf for a few things that I use a lot, but need OFF my workbench, will be nice.
Worst case scenario is Im out two little pieces of wood and some time.

 

[HMP]

Oh, and I started laying out/opening packages for some Land Cruiser parts Ive been ordering this week
Ive dropped about 1500 this week on things - I'll be working on the FJ62 soon
Ive got a new radiator already, as well as new Toyota hoses - this week I ordered an OEM water pump, because if Im going to refresh the cooling system I might as well knock that out while Im in the region.
And to do the pump you need to remove the belts. It's 36 year old truck and the three belts were about 25 dollars, might as well replace those and have further peace of mind.
And I got a new window crank handle (is that the proper name for it?)

I also ordered, not arrived yet, a knuckle rebuild kit. Both of my knuckles are weeping, a common issue on these. It's going to be a big job, but doing it will ensure that Im good for as long as I own the truck.

And I ordered a set of tires for it, it's needed rears badly since I bought it and the fronts have pretty old dates on them.
Got some Falkens on the way

 

[backwoodsshooter]

engine came in today so time to pull the old one.

i got the new one installed just no pics, i’ll get those tomorrow