What did you do with your truck/shop today

[Jsdirt]

1 hour ago, doverarjim said:

Had my fourth set of tires installed today, not to bad for me 3 sets to go 160,000 miles.  Brakes still looked good not going to do anything to them at this time. 

That's some damn good mileage! My personal record is 30k on brakes or tires - I can't get a mile more out of either.

 

 

Been busy over here. Bought some more chi-com goods off eBay for the shop. Got a couple high-lift jack stands. Those came in THE WORST packaging I have ever seen in 17 years of internet purchasing. There was just about no paint left on one of them. Missing the roller bearing kit, and the wire locking pin for one of them, too.

 

Next up, I unboxed a new 20 gallon extended oil drain for the lift. Uses shop air to empty it through that clear hose when full. I played around with it after I assembled it, and the crimped fitting for the curved metal end slid right off! I tried using my A/C crimpers, but crushed the thing and made it leak 10x worse. Ended up cutting the crimp off and using 2 hose clamps. Never thought I'd see a day in America where you have to constantly fix things right out of the box. What a joke. It's either that, or pay $400+ for a domestic one. This one was $130 to the door. Oh well.

 

Cleaned out a mouse nest, and stale fuel from a Troy-Bilt lawn tractor.

 

Then, finally started replacing the struts, ball joints, end links (only 2 years old - Advance Auto garbage), hub bearings & backing plates, plus one $100 ABS sensor (frozen solid in place) in the Volvo. I've had the struts, strut bearings, strut bump stops & boots, rear shocks, & motor mounts sitting here in a box for the past 8 months or so. Better late than never I guess ...

 

GM could learn a thing or 2 from early 90's Volvos. That strut housing attached to the hub is made out of STEEL. I could've sworn it was aluminum due to the lack of rust, and whitish appearance. It's STEEL! Magnet sticks right to it. Now THAT is the metal GM should be using UNDER all their vehicles! Maybe then I could justify the prices they charge. Remember how my lower ball joints failed in the Silverado at 38k miles? Well here's one that failed in the Volvo at 171,672 miles ... only because it had a tear in the boot! The driver's side had ZERO play, and would probably go another 100k.

 

Some pics are flip-phone, and some are with the good camera. Bet you can't tell which is which, lol ...

 

 

 

 

Had a hell of a time getting this retainer out. Made some teeth in it with the monkey wrench, lol 

 

 

 

 

That's supposed to be solid blue all the way around. Sides were wide open to the elements ... and the bearing was STILL usable! Probably been that way 10 years or more.

 

 

STEEL that doesn't rust! What a concept! 25 years of New England driving, too. Car started off it's life in NH. Everything here is OE. Remember that when you're replacing your dust shields on the Silverado/Sierra after 9 years ...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 27, 2018 by Jsdirt
Forgot the pics of chi-com goods ...

[RyanbabZ71]

Bath










Ryan B.

[Chris]

Sweat my ass off changing the Civic’s grille





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[Daly]

Put it to work today.

[SarahsGMC]

Sheeewwww

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[Colossus]

new coat of paint, eh? 

[SarahsGMC]

new rockers cab corners cab support brackets fixed bedside repainted panels on one side repainted grill etc etc its all in my build thread

[Colossus]

Very smooth.

[Roscopcoletrain]

dropped rig off at dealer. smelling antifreeze. Pretty sure its the rad 

[doverarjim]

JSDirt, living in the south will help some of the tire wearing out problems as long as you stay off the freeways!!!!  I shoot for 40-50,000 out of a set of tires.  Still have all oem brake pads, rotors and all have never even pulled them off, did change out brake fluid a few months ago and it was pretty nasty stuff.  My 99 truck had 186,000 on it when I traded it and had never had any brake work done on it, so I may just be easy on brakes????  And yes I do use my truck to haul and pull with a little over 40,000 of those miles I've had some type of trailer behind me it may only be a 8 foot utility trailer or it might be my 32 foot van but I've pulled the wheels off of it!!!! 

[Jsdirt]

Yeah, where I live has alot to do with it, and how I drive, too.

 

I don't drive that way when I'm down South (or anywhere outside of the 2 coasts), since people are respectful down there - no need to claw & fight your way through any traffic!  

 

I can't think of many positives of living up here. We're governed by communist morons, surrounded by godless, mindless drones, overpopulated, weather sucks, cost of living is the highest in the world outside of HI or CA, a $80,000 truck lasts 10 years before it vaporizes into rust  ... but unfortunately for me,  it's where my roots are. My dreams of leaving get slimmer with every year. My neighborhood makes it all worth it, though. Great people,  & the best location in the state, bar none.   I try not to venture out of the neighborhood very often. Not good for the blood pressure. 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Jsdirt

[psu]

Installed some new front brakes!

[SnakeEyeSS]

Those the ones from RST? I may be getting another Tahoe in the future if I like those RST's. Don't think I'm willing to pay what they are saying it's worth. (I know that's ironic because of the check I wrote a few months ago), probably wait for a post depreciated model.

Edited August 5, 2018 by SnakeEyeSS

[Ravenkeeper]

Got a call the other day from CHP, my truck is officially released from impound and is property of Antelope Valley Towing, in Palmdale.  If you want any parts off of my ‘15 Silverado LTZ Z71, you will have to get with AV Towing.  

 

All of my personal property is removed, CB, scanner, CB Antenna, phone holder,, CDs, etc.  

[Jsdirt]

Insurance already cut you a check? That's quick!

 

They're as slow as molasses out here, especially with big payouts. Then you have to fight with them to get a fair amount. They always low-ball and see if you'll jump ...